August 14, 2025 - Astoria OR to Bend, OR

August 14, 2025 - Astoria OR to Bend, OR

Today was a little overcast but temp was 59.  

A few blocks from our hotel, we cross a bay and get the day started.

The Pacific Coast!!!!

All along the coast are these signs.  Either "Leaving" or "Entering".  

Kind of scary.

We crossed over an inlet and saw a lot of boats.  Larry said this is the “brackish” water.  It is where fresh water meets salt water.  Your lesson for the day.

Look at the mountains behind them.

I glanced down at Larry screen and as you can see we are riding down the coast.

Inland, check out the clouds. We never got any rain.  YEAH!!

I this spot, we happened to see a few seals.  I at least got one pic.

Cool pic above but look what is on the point.

The tide was out today. 

Check out this bridge.  Almost total out of the water.

I am sure it looks a lot different with the tide in.

After lunch we head inland to McKinzie Pass. 

As we get gas, I notice that the pumps have full service. 

I have not seen this since I was a kid.

Ron mentioned that this covered bridge was either saved or rebuilt after a recent fire.  

Really cool looking.

Going thru this tunnel, Ron asked me to get a pic.  

He has ridden his bicycle on these road and remembered this.  

We now enter the pass

Elevation is from 2000-5325 feet.  He and 2 others road this. OMG

The number of switchbacks  to get to the top is crazy. 

 Riding a bike took most of the day.

Signs like these are all the way up.  So was the tree cover.

Temp started about 80 and were 70 at the top.

This is what we see at the top.  Ron could not believe it.  Trees gone

We get up around the bend and there is a huge lava bed at the summit. Surprise!!

This lava field crosses a 65 square-mile flow.

It is between the Three Sister and Mt Washington.

We walk up to the top.  Very interesting to see what they did.

In the room above there several holes in the wall with a plaque and a mountain name on it.

Under the name states how far it is away.

You can then look thru the hole and see the mountain mentioned. 

And only that mountain

 Example : Three Sisters

On the top is a gold plate that also has all the mountains around it and how many miles away. 

Each point to that mountain.  Ron had me  stand in line with one of them.

Pretty neat.

The lava rock continued several miles down the mountain.

Not many miles today but no highway!!!  AND BLUE SKIES.

Destination: Bend, OR

Temps:  59-80

Miles: 363

Route: Cty 101, 126, 269, 242 (thry McKenzie Pass), 20