Picture

I apologize for the length of the last blog post.…no internet access in Montana and Washington was to blame. Victoria would not stop at Starbucks, which I understand …keep on truckin’. Going forward should be more manageable with internet access. to post on a regular basis. Thank you for your understanding!

Day 15: Back to city life…Portland Oregon and a Kimpton Hotel, my favorite boutique hotel chain. The Hotel Monaco, Portland was lovely and I enjoyed taking a nice long shower, watching TV and posting the blog!
We enjoyed exploring Portland Oregon and Powell’s Bookstore, the ………….
Then wandered around the street of Portland. Sadly there were a lot of homeless people, mostly men sitting on sidewalks and doorsteps. The smell of urine was overwhelming on many streets. We did, however, discover VooDoo Donuts!! Yummy but…the line was too long to wait and we headed back to our hotel. I enjoyed happy hour in the lobby listening to live music and working on the blog. Victoria enjoyed resting in the room. We decided to have pizza for dinner. An advantage of traveling with your Mom, she went out to get the pizza. I was happy to explore a little more of the city. Victoria wanted to go back “to the trees!.”

Day 16:
I overslept until 7:30 and only woke up once at 4:30! I have found a cure for insomnia, EXHAUSTION!!
We decided to head out on the road but first a stop at the VooDoo donuts over the bridge where we were told there were no lines. We waited only a few minutes. As time is important and donuts are really breakfast food this was a good decision. The donuts were also lunch on the road. Victoria is back on schedule no stopping for lunch!!

Picture

Picture

Picture

We did pull off the highway drawn in by a farmers market and a covered bridge…the farmers market was disappointing and we continued on our way but stopped for a gallon of water.
The trains amaze me out here…
                                                 Crater Lake National Park was AMAZING!!!
(https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm)
                                                                Hard to believe it is June!

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

Picture

                                                       I am not sure Victoria read the sign!!

Picture

We were hoping to camp in Crater Lake National Park but the park roads opened yesterday and only one of the campsites was open. A first come first serve and it was full. Although there were other campsites and hotels along the way we decided to go the distance to our next location which is San Francisco
… no stopping to smell the roses when traveling with Victoria.

Picture

Picture

We were remarking on how we have been clear of traffic on this trip, until now! Ugh!!! There was construction adding additional time to our trip…that cleared and then an accident caused a 57 min delay.
With no rest stop insight, I did the next best thing…Victoria has lost all respect for me! Road tripping often calls for uncharacteristic drastic behavior. Dinner was on the road no stopping to eat for these girls. Thankful for the cooler and leftover pizza!