2014 Big Truck across the NW, Day 13

We started out of the park, performing the routine Cousin Eddie after granting our site to someone (this place is pretty popular, with people literally standing in your site as you pack up to leave). The deer were out already, and we actually had some sun to be able to see the waters of the Strait.

While we were buying 40 gallons of gas, this gentlemen strolled up to the adjacent pump and actually filled a coffee mug from the nozzle. I'm sure there is some deep, meta-philosophical symbolism there, but the only thing that really struck me was that his mug was too small and some gas splashed out.

Right off the bat we were faced with some 20mph driving on a single lane road around Lake Crescent, which along with all of NW Washington is part of Olympic National Park.

It was a fairly harrowing drive, especially since the logging trucks are not interested in the intent of anyone else on the road. It did pay off with a few glimpses like this.

After reaching 60mph for what would be one of the only times of the day, we headed into Forks. As I had described, this is the fictional setting of the dreamy Twilight franchise, so on the way I learned some interesting facts:

• None of the Twilight movies (all of which I have seen due to someone I am related to via marriage) were actually filmed in Forks
• The author chose this locale due to it receiving the least sunlight in the US (brooding shirtless undead prefer cloudy days)
• My wife is a huge nerd

Pacific Ocean (now the second such journey for clan Beute)

We continued along 101, taking a lap around Olympic and feeling guilty for getting numb to the ridiculous scenery around us. If it weren't for that whole 2,000 miles from home thing, we'd probably spend more time here.

Crossing the bridge into Astoria, we got to relive the brilliance of one of the two Coreys' work in The Goonies, filmed right here.

A little further down the coast, this guy (nicknamed Dimes, ask him why)

had hidden a geocache back in May and sent me the coordinates along with this picture.

I had convinced Jordan we were going on a treasure hunt, so when we finally arrived, we used the coodinates to get within 15 feet, paced it off from a landmark he had given, and matched the rivets and cracks in the post to get the exact spot.

Hidden in this location was one of the more fitting treasures for me.  A reference to an obscure movie line which I am quite fond of reciting at elevated volume,

...a pair of Dimes, and our pond hockey team's business card.

Oh, and there is also this view of Haystack Rock from this lookout, but that's not really why we were here.

Now on to our (revised) final destination. We had booked a site at a place just outside of Portland, but the more we read now that we had cellphone service, the worse it sounded. If you were tracking our day of driving, it was comically inefficient, but still pretty fun and we got to see a lot of interesting stuff, so we (meaning I) were cool with it.

Note the height of the bridge section across the Columbia River, 

necessary to let these guys get in from the Pacific and head into the aptly named Portland.

Finally, after many, many hours of winding roads and 35-45mph speed limits (gas mileage friendly, we peaked at 8.02mpg!), we arrived at our destination.  About 20 minutes outside of Portland, on the river, and peaceful.

With a playground.

And this view.

I stuck around for a bit to make sure the fire was out, and this thing came rolling into sight,

basically a seaworthy version of this.

Tomorrow we spend the day in Portland (museum, Deschutes brewery, etc). We couldn't get tickets to the Timbers game, but hopefully will swing by the stadium to experience the gameday atmosphere.

Then at 7:30pm EST, witness the start of the Detroit Lions' march to claim the Lombardi trophy as Superbowl Champs.  Or, watch Matthew Stafford try not to become this guy.