I think I`ve missed a day. We didn`t have WiFi last night but have been able to post pictures from the iPhone. After our night in Gresham we took the MAX train to Hillsboro which is on the west side of Portland. The train station was only a block from our hotel so it was great access. We arrived about 13 minutes before the train was to leave so we had plenty of time to buy our ticket at the kiosk and load our bikes. It took both of us to hang the bikes, even with all the bags off. It works really well. Obviously there is a lot of tolerance for bikes because lots of people just rolled theirs on and stood by them. I`m sure that wouldn`t be tolerated during rush hour, but no one seemed to care at 9:45.
The train ride took about 1 1/2 hrs. There are a LOT of stops between Gresham and Hillsboro. We rode from the first stop to the last and got our money`s worth. It only cost Caroline $1. Even at $2.50 for me, it was a bargain.
After another breakfast/lunch in Hillsboro we set off on a route Caroline had found online from the Portland Bureau of transportation. It was magnificent. We were on quiet back roads that took us past vineyards, orchards, and fields of wheat and other grains. The homes were pristine and the sky was blue. We got to Banks and stopped for a refreshment and to check out our supplies. After consultation with some of the locals we decided to stay on Hwy 47 after the Vernonia-Banks Trail. We had planned to take route 202, but it was a little more remote than we were comfortable with and we couldn`t verify any services.
With that we headed off on the trail which is a 22 mile paved rail trail and quite lovely. We were gradually climbing during the first 9-10 miles which is where we got off the trail to go to the Stub Stewart State Park. Then we really climbed to get to the Visitor Center and up to our campground. We were just glad they had a few tent sites left. We cooked some rice pilaf and soup; had lemon cookies with our hot tea and coffee, and gratefully crawled into our sleeping bags.
Today we rode the rest of the trail into Vernonia where we stopped for breakfast. Then we got onto Hwy 47 for the 28 miles into Clatskanie. The first 16 were glorious. Flat or maybe even slightly downhill--we flew! We stopped in Mist which is an unincorporated little community for a break. After Mist things got interesting. Nobody mentioned Mist Mountain (or Clatskanie Mountain) as it is called also. We climbed continuously for 4 miles until we reached 1350 feet. Then we went up and down for a little while, and finally we descended to Clatskanie which is 250 ft. Fortunately the roadway was mostly in great condition, and there was little traffic. It was a lovely route, if just a little strenuous.
When we got into town we found a little outdoor fruit and vegetable market. We plowed through a pint of cherries and OJ. Fortunately our lodging was just 1/4 mi down the road. There is no camping in Clatskanie so we are inside again.
Tomorrow it is on to Astoria with only one significant hill, so it should be a fairly easy route. However, we may have rain to content with. Hmmm...rain or mountains. Let me think.
Sent from Samsung tablet
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