Another wet day with periods of heavy rain and gusts of strong wind saw me leaving California and enter Oregon along highway 101 with a wet tent strapped to the bike.

Gold Beach Oregon In The Rain

Fortunately I was heading for a friend of a friends house in Bandon. Oleh and Tina have a super cool 1952 school bus converted into a mobile home that is used for guest accommodation.

My Temporary Home, A 1952 Converted School Bus Called Maxine

Oleh is a writer and artist who had designed the Seaman’s Memorial in Bandon Harbour. An annual service is held at the memorial then the participants go out to sea in a boat in remembrance of those lost at sea.

Oleh And His Sailors Memorial

Sunny weather was finally forecast for the next leg of the journey. Although it failed to materialise it was the best day on the Pacific since leaving San Francisco. It was cool and damp at times but it was the first day where I had clear views of the coastline.

Oregon Coast

I passed a large area of sand dunes with dune buggies flying in all directions. It looked as though the public had vehicle access to the dunes and you could just turn up, unload your buggy and go.

Oregon Sand Dunes

Highway 101, Oregon

Oleh had arranged for me to stay with friends of his, Ray and Terese further up the Oregon coast. They live in a house full of character right on the beach. We did a tour of the small town after a barbecue dinner and witnessed a good sunset, my the first in a while.

Oregon Sunset

The weather was finally hot with clear blue sky and ocean when I left for Astoria and Washington State.

Blue Sky And Blue Ocean, Netart, Oregon Coast

Therese took me to the old Cape Meares Lighthouse which unfortunately had the windows and prism shot out by a couple of vandals. Being the USA the vandals have access to high velocity rifles which makes me thankful that the British vandals are still in their spray paint phase.

Me In The Cape Meares Sunshine

It was nice to finally see the views I have been missing riding up the coast in the fog. In season, migrating whales can be seen from Cape Meares cliffs.

Cape Meares, Oregon

Lewis and Clark are the American explorers who lead the Corp Of Discovery expedition commissioned by President Thomas Jefferson. They made a remarkable journey (1804 - 1806) from the Ohio river to the Pacific at what is now Astoria travelling overland and by canoe. Whilst not taking anything away from Lewis and Clark’s achievements it amused me that a Native American criticised the credit given to Lewis and Clark for discovering the route through the Bitterroot Mountains when a Native American guide, a Shoshone called ’Old Toby’ showed them the pass they had been using for hundreds of years.

Fort Clatsop just outside Astoria is where Lewis and Clark spent the winter following a two year trip to discover a trade route to the Pacific from the east before returning triumphant back to civilisation.

Fort Clatsop

Astoria Tower sits on a hill overlooking the town and offers great views over the Columbia River to Washington State.

Astoria Tower

166 Steps Later, Columbia River From The Top Of Astoria Tower With Washington State In The Distance