Despite the appalling weather, we both had a good nights sleep crashed out on the airbed in the back of the car. Getting dressed was challenging, but no more so than in a tent and the hardest part was walking across to McDonalds for breakfast and the use of their toilets to freshen up. After breakfast we had to re-arrange the car to get to the seats and just as we were starting the rain began. We'd been hoping to avoid it today but no such luck and we set off on the final part of the journey in slightly less heavy rain than we'd stopped in last night.
It wasn't long before we were crossing the bridge to Portland, leaving Washington State on one side of the water and arriving in the state of Oregan on the other. The hertz office we had reserved from was at the airport, which was well signposted to get to but left us an interesting dilemma in where to park the car. All our belongings were still inside it and not very neatly packed after this mornings rearranging in the rain. We followed signs for hertz car return, hoping the rental desk might be easy to get to from here. After being directed around the line of cars checking back in, we were stuck with a choice of an exit or staff entrance which was closed. Clare set off on foot to find out where to go meanwhile an employee of a different car company spotted me parked at the side and was able to direct me to a parking spot. We headed in search of the office and finally found it. It wasn't long until we had all the arrangements made and we headed back into the car park to collect the Toyota Yaris that would be completing the journey for us. Much smaller than the pathfinder, we had to find somewhere to repack the cars, so with me driving the new Toyota, and Clare returning to the pathfinder we were separated. The plan, to find the Ikea we'd spotted on the way in and meet in the car park to swap the luggage over. I set about learning the handling of a new car, suddenly at ground level again, trying to adjust seats and mirrors on my way to Ikea with no map. We weren't sure whether we'd be able to contact each other by phone - we still hadn't picked up a US sim card and had no idea if our Canadian phones would work as we were now 'roaming'.
Eventually I found my way to the Ikea car park, having made more than a few wrong turns as I hunted it down. It wasn't signposted at all and was not easy to find despite the big sign visible as we came along the highway on our way to the airport. I circled the car park, and satisfied the pathfinder wasn't here parked up near the entrance to watch out for it. Minutes later, my phone buzzed. Clare had text to say she hadn't found ikea, and was parked at a hotel. With the pathfinder nearly out of petrol, and on its last breath - it was up to me to find her. With nothing but the hotel name to go on, I had to think like Clare and track the route she would have taken to end up at this hotel. With my nails preened and my hair set just right I was off. I headed back towards the main highway, where we had first seen the Ikea sign. I navigated as I assumed Clare would have navigated, and after numerous turns found a hotel. Alas, it was not the right one, but I parked up and admitted defeat. Inside, I asked for a map of the area, saying I was looking for the Red lion hotel. The girl behind the desk stopped getting a map. I was so closer to being there, it was just around the corner, slightly further along the road I was on. Less than a minute later, I was there and Clare was walking through the car park to find me. While Clare prepared lunch, I shifted all the bags into the new car. We ate lunch in the back of the pathfinder, stretched out in the space we wouldn't have for the rest of the journey. Soon it was time to leave, and with all our possessions and identifying documents out, we drove off - leaving the pathfinder behind as we continued our journey.
We decided to drive round the outskirts of Portland, I'd spotted an area called Portsmouth on the map and wanted to investigate. Navigation was tough - with only the map hertz had given us at the airport to navigate from. We made it, but it was a disappointment. Portsmouth was barely a few streets, a few shops and then we were through. Lame.
We made a pitstop for supplies, and set off again - this time heading for Seaside. It was a 50 minute drive, but since picking up the new car the weather had changed, the sun was poking through a few clouds, and it was lovely and warm. Perfect time to see the beach and the infamous Oregon coast.
Seaside was right on Route 101, which we'd be using to head south along the coast. It would be perfect for a nights stop. With the weather like it was, we decided we'd be able to camp at Cannon Beach, just south of Seaside. 10 miles from the coast, mother nature laughed at us. Driving rain once again pounded the car, and the rain clouds covered the hills we were driving over. The rain stopped, just as we arrived in town. We were determined we'd make the most of it and checked into a campsite where we were able to buy wood to start a campfire - everything underfoot was far too wet.
We pitched the tent and drove down to beach to have a walk. The sand was wet and firm, the seagulls blasting around having a great old time and for the first time in ages we could hear the waves crashing down pounding the shoreline. Mountains are beautiful, and living in them its always fun - but its hard to beat the sheer rugged beauty of the sea.
Heading back to the campsite we made a discovery. I'd brought a camp stove over from the UK with me for the trip and had got a gas canister for it over in Canada. The fitting looked the same but I'd never checked... And so when putting it together to cook on tonight it was discovered that the fitting was not the same at all. With no way of connecting the gas we had to rely on a wood fire, started in the drizzling rain on wet ground with no kindling to cook our dinner over. No pressure at all. Luckily, my scouting days had taught me more than how to walk up private driveways, and England was not a stranger to wet drizzling weather like this. With a fire crackling away, and the light all but gone we settled in for an evening. Cooking in the dark is always a fun but challenging experience and Clare had cooking duties tonight. With limited light, few cooking utensils and basic ingredients she was able to concoct a delicious tasting one pan dinner, seasoned with just a little of the local forestry.
After a great meal, we headed for the tent. It was dark out, so with nothing better to do, we grabbed the laptop to watch some TV. When the battery died - it was time for sleep. Surrounded by nature, little spots of water falling from the trees above it was a delightful sound to fall asleep to.
It wasn't long before we were crossing the bridge to Portland, leaving Washington State on one side of the water and arriving in the state of Oregan on the other. The hertz office we had reserved from was at the airport, which was well signposted to get to but left us an interesting dilemma in where to park the car. All our belongings were still inside it and not very neatly packed after this mornings rearranging in the rain. We followed signs for hertz car return, hoping the rental desk might be easy to get to from here. After being directed around the line of cars checking back in, we were stuck with a choice of an exit or staff entrance which was closed. Clare set off on foot to find out where to go meanwhile an employee of a different car company spotted me parked at the side and was able to direct me to a parking spot. We headed in search of the office and finally found it. It wasn't long until we had all the arrangements made and we headed back into the car park to collect the Toyota Yaris that would be completing the journey for us. Much smaller than the pathfinder, we had to find somewhere to repack the cars, so with me driving the new Toyota, and Clare returning to the pathfinder we were separated. The plan, to find the Ikea we'd spotted on the way in and meet in the car park to swap the luggage over. I set about learning the handling of a new car, suddenly at ground level again, trying to adjust seats and mirrors on my way to Ikea with no map. We weren't sure whether we'd be able to contact each other by phone - we still hadn't picked up a US sim card and had no idea if our Canadian phones would work as we were now 'roaming'.
Eventually I found my way to the Ikea car park, having made more than a few wrong turns as I hunted it down. It wasn't signposted at all and was not easy to find despite the big sign visible as we came along the highway on our way to the airport. I circled the car park, and satisfied the pathfinder wasn't here parked up near the entrance to watch out for it. Minutes later, my phone buzzed. Clare had text to say she hadn't found ikea, and was parked at a hotel. With the pathfinder nearly out of petrol, and on its last breath - it was up to me to find her. With nothing but the hotel name to go on, I had to think like Clare and track the route she would have taken to end up at this hotel. With my nails preened and my hair set just right I was off. I headed back towards the main highway, where we had first seen the Ikea sign. I navigated as I assumed Clare would have navigated, and after numerous turns found a hotel. Alas, it was not the right one, but I parked up and admitted defeat. Inside, I asked for a map of the area, saying I was looking for the Red lion hotel. The girl behind the desk stopped getting a map. I was so closer to being there, it was just around the corner, slightly further along the road I was on. Less than a minute later, I was there and Clare was walking through the car park to find me. While Clare prepared lunch, I shifted all the bags into the new car. We ate lunch in the back of the pathfinder, stretched out in the space we wouldn't have for the rest of the journey. Soon it was time to leave, and with all our possessions and identifying documents out, we drove off - leaving the pathfinder behind as we continued our journey.
We decided to drive round the outskirts of Portland, I'd spotted an area called Portsmouth on the map and wanted to investigate. Navigation was tough - with only the map hertz had given us at the airport to navigate from. We made it, but it was a disappointment. Portsmouth was barely a few streets, a few shops and then we were through. Lame.
We made a pitstop for supplies, and set off again - this time heading for Seaside. It was a 50 minute drive, but since picking up the new car the weather had changed, the sun was poking through a few clouds, and it was lovely and warm. Perfect time to see the beach and the infamous Oregon coast.
Seaside was right on Route 101, which we'd be using to head south along the coast. It would be perfect for a nights stop. With the weather like it was, we decided we'd be able to camp at Cannon Beach, just south of Seaside. 10 miles from the coast, mother nature laughed at us. Driving rain once again pounded the car, and the rain clouds covered the hills we were driving over. The rain stopped, just as we arrived in town. We were determined we'd make the most of it and checked into a campsite where we were able to buy wood to start a campfire - everything underfoot was far too wet.
We pitched the tent and drove down to beach to have a walk. The sand was wet and firm, the seagulls blasting around having a great old time and for the first time in ages we could hear the waves crashing down pounding the shoreline. Mountains are beautiful, and living in them its always fun - but its hard to beat the sheer rugged beauty of the sea.
Heading back to the campsite we made a discovery. I'd brought a camp stove over from the UK with me for the trip and had got a gas canister for it over in Canada. The fitting looked the same but I'd never checked... And so when putting it together to cook on tonight it was discovered that the fitting was not the same at all. With no way of connecting the gas we had to rely on a wood fire, started in the drizzling rain on wet ground with no kindling to cook our dinner over. No pressure at all. Luckily, my scouting days had taught me more than how to walk up private driveways, and England was not a stranger to wet drizzling weather like this. With a fire crackling away, and the light all but gone we settled in for an evening. Cooking in the dark is always a fun but challenging experience and Clare had cooking duties tonight. With limited light, few cooking utensils and basic ingredients she was able to concoct a delicious tasting one pan dinner, seasoned with just a little of the local forestry.
After a great meal, we headed for the tent. It was dark out, so with nothing better to do, we grabbed the laptop to watch some TV. When the battery died - it was time for sleep. Surrounded by nature, little spots of water falling from the trees above it was a delightful sound to fall asleep to.
Do you mean to say you just abandoned the Pathfinder in the hotel car park? What a shame. Never mind. At least now you have a decent car to travel around in. No more worries. xxx
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