Travelogue

Sauvie IslandWe had to get to Port Angeles on the 3rd night of our adventure to catch an early ferry to Vancouver Island on the following morning.

That meant we could slow the driving pace down a bit and try to squeeze in some fun activity today. It was ridiculously hot out all the way up along the coast. Portland was a record breaking 106 degrees, tied with their previous record two years ago, when we coincidentally were in Portland as well. I have only been to Portland twice in my life and both times it was 106.

During that last hot Portland visit, we had discovered Sauvie Island, just ten miles northwest of Portland at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. It was hard to believe that this pristine oasis of farmland and beaches was so near to the city.

While the southern half of the island is predominantly rural farmland, the northeastern side has beautiful sandy beaches along the Columbia River with some shade trees further back from the water. The perfect place to spend a scorching day.
We were early enough to easily find a parking spot along a lovely sandy beach, where we spent the day relaxing, reading, and dipping ourselves in the Columbia River to get cool.

Sauvie Island "floating saucer"Two years ago we had discovered the Sauvie Island "floating saucer," a large submarine / flying saucer like object colorfully painted all over with graffiti. I set off in search of it again and found it tucked in at the edge of the woods.

A nearby sign gave its history: This 31-foot paddle wheel boat was built in 1973 in Hubbard, Oregon, by an engineer named Richard Ensign. It took him two years and cost $10,000. It could sleep 12 people and had a wood stove. It was launched on the Willamette River, went through the locks at Willamette Falls, and was on the front page of the Oregonian. It was dubbed the "floating saucer." It most likely was left here by the February 1996 flood.

After a little more dipping in and out of the water - I love the cooling evaporation process on a hot day - we headed out to find a place to stay for the night.
We drove for about a half hour to a Best Western in the little town of Oak Meadows. Only 4 more hours to Port Angeles.