Our first "real" day. After breakfast we assembled for a group picture and then were let loose. Finally, after all the training, organizing, and waiting, it is such a relief to take the first pedal strokes. Today turned out to be great day for the directional challenged- exit hotel, turn left on to US Rt 30 East and proceed 69 miles to your destination.
The weather was beautiful and the terrain moderate with a couple of long climbs. Rt 30 is a two lane busy highway with a lot of logging trucks (occasionally scary to ride beside). However it does in most places have a wide shoulder. The route was ESE and more or less follows the general direction of the Columbia River. We were able to have a few glances at Mount St. Helens, which famously erupted in 1980. It's profile from miles away clearly shows an asymmetrical crater. What power must have been expelled. I was able to finish relatively early and got to enjoy a burger at the aptly named Burgerville. St. Helens is a town of about 12,000 and is about 30 miles from Portland. We are staying at a Best Western.
 |
| America By Bicycle, Across America North tour participants 2016 |
 |
| Taken on Rt 30 entering Ranier OR, on the Columbia. Mount St. Helens is in the background (mid-right). |
No comments:
Post a Comment