Pacific Northwest Trip

Ruth and I (Drew) are busy saving for our travels and trying to mix in some fun along the way. The departure date is getting closer, within 3-years, and we have been doing some serious boat shopping. I still feel it is best to wait about 2-years before we buy the boat but it doesn't hurt to look now and if we found the right boat at the right price we'd probably buy it.

In the meantime, we still like to do some traveling and this year we visited Oregon and Washington. My sister lives in Seattle so we were also looking forward to visiting her and her family. First stop was Portland, Oregon and then off to Hood River.

Columbia River Gorge

Had to stop at a marina

Mount Hood

We stopped in Hood River, Oregon and talked to a few local sailors launching their boats. Extremely windy area with the wind and current usually going in opposite directions. Hood River sailors definitely learn how to reef early and often. Next stop on our journey was Mount Rainier with a stop at Mount St. Helens.

Great view of Mount Rainier

Sister's house in Seattle

Ruth and my sister Jennifer

Mount St. Helens

Someone is tired

From Seattle we decided to travel down the Oregon Coast. Our first stop took us to the cute little town of Gearhart. We stayed there a couple of days and then traveled down to Bandon, Oregon. It was mandatory that we found a place for Ruth to watch the World Cup soccer matches. Not too many people swimming in the ocean, once you dip a toe in you figure out why pretty quickly.

McMannis Gearhart Hotel

Henry the Fish, built from ocean trash

Amazing how much trash we dump into the ocean. Henry the Fish was built entirely from ocean trash.

Riding bicycles in Oregon  

Bandon Beach

 After Bandon we took a pretty long drive up to Crater Lake. We enjoyed our ocean and beach time but we wanted to get back into the mountains. The weather was great when we got there with the sun shining down on the lake. This is the bluest lake you will ever see and holds the world's record as the clearest lake with visibility down to almost 200 feet. Looks good in pictures but you have to see this first hand.

 Crater Lake

 Crater Lake Sunset

After Crater Lake we went to Bend, Oregon and enjoyed some hikes along the mountains and to the waterfalls. We also had a really fun night in town with live music and dancing in the park. Bend is a great town with friendly people. 

 Bed & Breakfast in Bend, Oregon

 Mount Bachelor

 Three Sisters Mountain Range

 Behind the falls

 Last stop was a quick overnight in Portland, Oregon and then return to Philadelphia the next day. We were gone for two weeks and put 1,800 miles on the rental car. A vacation was needed after this vacation! Next trip is a 10-day sail out of Grenada.

 Hotel in Portland

As I am writing this Hurricane Doran is barreling down on the Bahamas and then who knows where. Thoughts and prayers to the Bahamian people and everyone in this hurricanes path.