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09/03/2009: "Day 5 - Washington, pt 2"

Well folks, I have now made it to my port town... and don't leave until tomorrow afternoon. Always figures, as long as you leave time for Murphy, he leaves you alone, and he has certainly left me alone, so far. (yes, I probly jinxed it by saying that, but I couldn't help it)

So, this morning I continued my driving across the state of Washington. Did you know that there is an area where they actually have signs posted as to what crops are in the fields? I would say that I now feel smarter about ag, except for the fact that I couldn't see half the signs until I was past them, and the crops were too far away for me to identify anything except the general color. Except for corn, I can identify that. Everything else was just either green or tan, near as I could tell.

Came across another lovely scenic overlook, this time over the Columbia River.



I actually got to drive over the bridge pictured this time. And it had a real nice sharp corner right in front of it, and then on the other side was a real nice climb, of the type where they added a third lane so that all the loaded down tractor trailers could get out of the way. Luckily not quite enough to bug my ears. That came later.

Also, while at this outlook, I noticed a wind farm. Quite frankly, given what I've seen of wind in this area over the last couple of days, I'm surprised that I haven't seen more. Anywho, this particular one was way across the river, up into the hills, way far away.



Yay zoom. Still looks like a bunch of anorexic pinwheels stuck in a pile of dirt, though.

After a bit more, I finally came across my last mountain pass. And, of course, this being Washington State, that was when it decided to rain.



Looked awesome, especially with the fog weaving its way through the peaks, and the rain itself wasn't enough to mess with road conditions or visibility. And, after dropping to a more civilized altitude, the sun came back out.

After that, I hit Seattle, and wound my way up the coast. The traffic hasn't been too bad, but definitely heavier than I've been seeing roaming the countryside.

So, after getting my hotel for the night, I went to go get something to eat. Turns out that the bartender/server at the place I went to used to work at the Chili's in Fairbanks. So he said that if I ever eat there, to let them know that Brian that moved to Washington said Hi. How's that for serendipity?

Total trip stats: 2196 miles, 35 hours 47 minutes, moving time. If you add info from New York, it would be about 3000 miles, 50 hours moving time. And I've still got driving to go.

-A

Replies: 5 Comments

on Friday, September 4th, Amanda said

This article shows pretty much the route I took. Its the same road I took from New York, too, so I've traveled most of it.

on Friday, September 4th, donna said

we never got up to the skinny part. lived southern part, flat, desert. we could see the foot hills. once, however, we were in an area leading to the foot hills and we had to blow our horn around each curve because it was one gravel lane road around the hills as one would ascend up. I'm sure the roads are better now than in the 1960's! The road you are taking, how far south from Canada does it run?

on Thursday, September 3rd, Amanda said

And speaking of not knowing what day it is, how about what time? My phone, my watch, my computer, and my truck are all on different time zones. And I think I'll hit another time zone tomorrow, or day after, but that should be the last one. I think.

on Thursday, September 3rd, Amanda said

Look, all I did through Idaho was attempt to negotiate really windy roads downhill while not smacking other cars for an hour. I was a little busy to take pictures. :) And yes, that's all the long I was in Idaho, just had to cross the skinny part up top.

on Thursday, September 3rd, donna said

pictures are great but I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of Idaho pics. *smile* That's because I use to live in Mt. Home, Idaho. Ya, I know, it all looks the same out there. From my house in Idaho to grandpa
and grandma's house in
Brown Deer, Wisc. was
1,990 miles. That I can
remember, what day it is today, I can't.