Day 79 - March 30, 2024

Off to Oregon and the gorgeous Oregon Coast. Natural Bridges, Arch Rock, and Secret Beach started the day off right. The hike down to Secret Beach was a steep one but we made it without difficulty. Then more beaches, some wind surfers, a lighthouse on a cliff, yellow flowers on a mountainside and a bridge at sunset. Oh, some sunshine…. finally!

Day 80 - March 31, 2024

The day started in Newport Oregon with a shot of a marina and bridge, then on to Agate Beach and Yaquina Head Lighthouse. This is managed by the national parks system, and they allow you to walk on the “beach” which is large round stones that are very hard to walk on. But the great part are the tide pools with the sea life that is easily visible as you walk around the pools. The starfish are huge! Perhaps twice the size of my hand.

Then Rockaway Beach with a few surfers, another arch, the Astoria which is the mouth of the Columbia River. On the drive from there to Cascade Locks (east of Portland) we saw a few large, snow-covered mountains, one of which is Mt. St. Helens, and the last one is Mt. Hood. Very pretty.

Day 81 - April 1, 2024

In 1962 our family went to the Seattle World’s Fair and on that trip, we drove along the Columbia River Valley into Portland. I don’t recall much except it was beautiful. The old road, Highway 30, is almost gone now but there is about a 25 mile stretch that remains and yes, it is beautiful. There are 6 or 8, large waterfalls that can be hiked (yes, very tired tonight) or seen from the road. The most famous is Multnomah Falls. I took way too many photos but the view, with the bridge across about 1/3 of the way up is mesmerizing. We got up early and were the first ones there. We had the place to ourselves. Later in the day it was crazy busy. I can’t even imagine it in the summer.

I also hiked up to the cave with Horsetail Falls flowing over in front of the cave. We drove the road, stopping at many falls and overlooks. The Columbia River is huge, and the valley is beautiful. Shots of bridges, birds, flowers, waterfalls, and a couple more of Mt. Hood. 

Day 82 - April 2, 2024

The day started off pretty good for our drive from the Columbia River Gorge (Cascade Locks, OR) to Ocean Shores, WA. But by about 1:00 it was steady rain. So, I just got a couple shots from out hotel this morning of the Columbia River, a gorgeous bridge over the river connecting Oregon with Washington, and a couple more along the way. Once the rain started, the camera was put away. Hopefully it clears up a bit for tomorrow.

Day 83 - April 3, 2024

The plan was for an easy day, from Ocean Shores, WA, to Port Angeles, WA. But the weather was poor, and we arrived at Port Angeles at 2:00 so we just decided to carry on. We took a ferry from Port Townsend and headed for the border. So, we ended up in Abbotsford, BC. Yes, we are back in Canada!

A few shots along the drive in the Olympic National Park, including the stunning Crescent Lake. A few shots from the ferry, including some sea birds and what looks to be an enormous submarine. I have no idea which one it is, but it looks big! The we stopped at the wonderful bridge over Deception Pass for a few shots including Verna defying the heights on the bridge.

Day 84 - April 4, 2024

It was nice to have a shorter day today than yesterday. Just a 4-hour drive from Abbotsford to Kelowna. However, the weather was cool, cloudy and rainy, so only a few photos of the mountains along the way.

Day 85 - April 5, 2024

After 84 days on the road, today was a quiet day. First a walk along a wee bit of the Kelowna waterfront, a few shots of the waterfront and the lake, a Pied-Billed Grebe, and a few Yellow-Bellied Marmots. Then a very short drive along the lake for a few more lake shots. Hopefully, the weather will improve tomorrow, and we will get out for a longer drive.

Day 86 - April 6, 2024

A day of doing nothing. Well, almost nothing. We did nothing, then we went for dinner with a few friends. Some of which I have not seen for over 40 years. It was very cool. Thanks for coming Robin & Valerie! And Jon & Sharon too.

So, all I have today are shots of the condo where we are staying. Lakefront, across from City Park and the marina in Kelowna. Just around the corner is Bernard Avenue, the main street in downtown Kelowna with many coffee shops, restaurants, ice cream shops and much more. What a great location!

And the condo is stunning. As for a place to stay in Kelowna, this is as good as it gets. If you are looking for a place to stay in Kelowna, message me and I will put you in touch with the owner (my sister).

Day 87 - April 7, 2024

Today we went to Coldstream and visited a wonderful couple, Heather & Doug, friends of Verna. Verna and heather fed a few carrots to a neighbour horse, and a Black Capped Chickadee came to say hello.

Then we drove Westside Road, on the west side of Okanagan Lake and got a few shots of the lake and Kelowna from the other side of the lake. The sun, getting low and the clouds making the background dark, coupled with a very calm lake made for some interesting shots.

Day 88 - April 8, 2024

Another lazy day. Just a short drive to the south part of Kelowna along the lake (beautiful district), a pair of Common Mergansers, and a few shots of the area. Oh, and a couple of a house where we think they are filming either a movie or TV show. Some old police cars on the street.

Day 89 - April 9, 2024

Our last day before the long drive home tomorrow. So, we decided to take a trip south to Penticton and Naramata. Shots of Okanagan Lake, Skaha Beach, a few birds, flowers, more Okanagan Lake and then a few evening shots over the lake and the downtown area. We also met another old friend of mine, Al, for dinner.

Day 90 - April 10, 2024

And that’s a wrap. Day 90 is the last day of the epic journey. We drove home from Kelowna to Gleniffer Lake Resort. A few shots of Kalamalka Lake, Mara Lake and the mountains as we drove. A train (that blew the horn in greeting), and then the Rogers Pass and on into Alberta. Up Highway 93 to Saskatchewan River Crossing and home along the David Thompson Highway.

In 90 days, I drove 25,421 kms (averaging 282 kms per day for 90 straight days), through 13 states and 2 provinces, at least 15 national parks, and many more national forests and reserves, state parks, major cities and small towns. Interstates and back roads and about 700 miles of Route 66. Unfortunately, I think we single-handedly kept the US junk food industry afloat. But ohhhh…. the sights we saw. Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Antelope Canyon, White Sands National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce canyon, Death Valley, Sequoia national Forest and Yosemite. The California coast, the Redwoods, and the Oregon Coast and Multnomah Falls. Then the Okanagan Valley and Yoho National Park. Magnificent.

In the end, even though we saw countless amazing things all along the way, the mountains of Alberta, along Highway 93 in Alberta, are just as beautiful and breathtaking as anything we saw anywhere. At one point in the not-too-distant future I hope to find the time to do a “summary” with the best photos of the journey. But until then, and until the next trip, I hope you have enjoyed following us along on this one.