It's already
mid-july. We had initially planned to spend only a couple of weeks climbing
in California, but between Tahquitz
and Suicide, the Needles, the
roadside cragging
near Bishop, and our quick stop at Tuolumne
Meadows, we've already spent almost two months here!
It's getting really hot and smoky from the numerous forest fires all over
the state. A couple of routes in Washington and Canada have been on our mind
for quite some time. We'd like to give them a shot before leaving for New
England at the end of August. It's more than time to leave sunny California
and head up North again!
Our first
stop will be Portland. We're long overdue for a visit with Radek and Shirley,
two climbers we met during our first bus trip and who live in Portland. It's
nice to drive the bus on sunny open roads, so we take our time (two days)
to get there.
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Driving
toward Lee Vining.
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Driving
on the Western open roads will never lose its appeal.
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Funny
sign along the way.
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Oregon
Stateline.
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Camping
for the night near Thielsen on our way to Eugene, OR.
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After
a short stop in Eugene, we arrive in Portland and find our friends' house
without difficulty. We're even able to park the bus less than a block away!
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On
our way to Portland, we spend the day in Eugene, one of the most
progressive towns in Oregon.
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Arriving
in Portland.
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Parked
in front of our friends' house in Portland.
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Biking
to downtown Portland.
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Exploring
Portland by bike.
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We spend
a week roaming the streets of Portland, spending wayyy too much time (not
to mention money!) at the various climbing shops, cooking huge meals and staying
up late, exchanging climbing stories with our friends Radek and Shirley. After
a week of this regimen, we feel like hitting the road again. Direction, Index,
WA...
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The
laid back atmosphere of the downtown market.
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Lucie
getting a henna tatoo at the market.
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Alternative
transportation near the market.
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Entering
Washington state.
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Brought
to you by the Republicans...
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We spend
one evening in Seattle on our way to Index. We have just enough time for a
quick stop at REI and Feathered Friends, and a huge bowl of Pho in the Capitol
district. We stayed with our friends Clay and Donna last time we were in the
city. We won't see them this time... they left for an 18-months round-the-world
trip in June and are somewhere in China right now. Feels strange to be back
in Seattle without them!
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One
of our obligatory stops in Seattle.
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Sign
in downtown Seattle. One can always dream...
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