Days 2 and 3, St. Helens, Oregon to Warm Springs, Oregon

Day two and day three, night and day. We left St. Helens on day two with forecast of 70% rain and from the day before, we knew exactly what that meant. Temperature was to be in the 50's all day. LUCKILY there was no precipitation when we hit the the wet road at 7:AM. We were following the mighty Columbia River toward the northern edge of the greater Portland area on US Route 30. Somehow the Logging Truckers Guild got word of our journey and came out in full force to see us and provide extra tail wind. It was a near continuous parade. They were quite confident in their driving skills which they enjoyed demonstrating  by missing us by inches. When it start to rain they demonstrated their resolve by coming closer.

After a couple of hours of bonding with the Guild we dove onto a bike path below the road and were quietly riding within 100 feet of the river with only a few walkers to negotiate. One of the riders literally dove over the handle bars after hitting the steel post within 5 feet of the path's beginning. It was in the middle of the lane, designed to keep all cars and apparently an occasional cyclist off the path. After a brief catapult, he had a relatively safe landing. Firetrucks and ambulances were summoned. Chuck and I, always the last to leave the hotel, followed the sirens to the accident. The bicycle was pronounced dead at the scene. The front wheel looked like a modern art piece. The guy looked fine. He did go to the ER and was released. He bought a new bike in a well established Portland Bike shop and is back in the peleton.

The Columbia looking west from bridge. Oregon on the left and Washinton on the right

It was too wet to take many photos. You will have to take my word on how beautiful the river looked, even in a drizzle. Fairly large verdant hills in Washington State, which the Columbia demarcates, majestically blended into the river. There were a paucity of homes and commercial enterprises. I suspect all riverside property in Washington is some sort of National Park.

Chuck finishing up at Calamity Janes

Today we left the hotel in bright sunshine.  Without any view of the sky for the last 3 days, including our drive over, the blueness was overwhelming.  We started climbing immediately.  It was 50°, which is leg warmer, arm warmer, and light jacket weather.  We approached Mount Hood and could see it  from various angles throughout the day.  The road surface was perfect with only a modicum of commercial travel.  We had a very nice large shoulder and did not need constant vigilance for approaching vehicles.

Wild Lupine noted along the road all day today

Chuck not noticing Mount Hood

Pulling  out of the Sag Stop

In 1803, Lewis and Clark were the first Americans of European descent to see Mount Hood. It's peak is the highest point in Oregon at 11,239 feet with 12 named glaciers on it. You can tell it is a volcanic mountain by the  way it pops up, in an otherwise flat area. Approaching it is like approaching one of the grand cathedrals in France such as Chartes. It can be seen from a great distance and the viewer is progressively overwhelmed while advancing. Though inactive, it is the volcanic mountain in Oregon most likely to erupt, a calculated chance of 3% to 7% in the next 30 years.

Mount Hood

To see details of the rides click each of these below and then click the link that pops up:
Day 2 - Tuesday June 19, 2012

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/190818099

Day 3 - Wednesday June 20, 2012
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/191116950