United States - Part II
Washington and Oregon
After spending nine months in Canada and Alaska, we entered the lower 48th at the beginning of September. We left the ferry in Port Angeles and started our journey towards the west side of Olympic National Park.
Before heading to the West Coast, we visited the lush Hoh Rain Forest, where we admired towering trees with moss-draped branches. Our first stop on the West Coast was Ruby Beach. Although it was a foggy day, we relished the mystical atmosphere during a brief hike along the beach. We spent three nights camping at the Kalaloch Beach campgrounds, where we reveled in the stunning seascape. Our adventure continued further south, leading us to the Long Beach Peninsula.
Upon arriving at Long Beach, we were greeted by the sight of numerous classic cars and hot rods cruising the streets. Curious, we inquired with the locals, who informed us that we had coincidentally arrived just in time for the Classic Car Rod Run to the End of the World at Ocean Park. Enthralled by the serendipity of the event, we extended our stay by three more nights to fully immerse ourselves in the spectacle of these pristinely maintained classic cars and powerful hot rods.
We crossed the border into Oregon at Astoria and made a brief stop at Cannon Beach, where we marveled at the unusual rock formations during a refreshing beach hike.
Next on our bucket list were the Painted Hills in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. However, wildfires on our route forced us to detour several times before finally reaching our destination. Once there, we spent the day exploring the vibrant rock formations on short hikes.
Our journey then took us to Crater Lake National Park, arriving in the afternoon to an overcast sky, rain, and thick fog, preventing us from seeing the lake. Fortunately, the weather cleared up the next day, allowing us to appreciate the magnificent views in all their glory.
On our return journey to the West Coast, we enjoyed a night at a local winery, indulging in wine tasting and replenishing our wine supply. Traveling down the breathtaking Oregon coast, we made stops at Yachats, Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, Bandon Beach, and Cape Blanco State Park. The coastal drive was undoubtedly one of the most scenic routes we had ever encountered.
Finally, on September 24th, we bid farewell to the captivating State of Oregon and entered California, eager for the next leg of our adventure.
