Drive: Eugene, Oregon to Wenatchee, Washington

3.26.09 - I wake up at the Hilton in Eugene at 7:00 a.m., reach over to the table, grab my laptop and start working before I even get out of bed. I was hoping to be on the road by 9:00 a.m. Unfortunately, while trying to cover all of the work that needs to happen two time zones ahead of me, I leave at 11:00 a.m.

I’m hoping to get something good and not standard fare for breakfast on the way out of town. Google Maps points me toward the Beanery. It’s in Farmers’ Union Market, which appears to be an old farmer’s market or co-op. I have a green chile and cheddar quiche that is outstanding. The tea here is good as well.

The Beanery in Farmer's Union Market

It’s time to start the seven hour drive to Wenatchee, Washington. The area north of Eugene reminds me a bit of Ireland, with mountains to the east and large herds of sheep.  By Lancaster, Oregon, only an hour or so out of Eugene, I have to stop at Starbucks to work on a deal/conference call that takes longer than expected. Now I have to race. The weather is much clearer today. I was disappointed not to see Mt. Hood yesterday. Passing through Portland today and turning east, I get a great view of the mountain from multiple angles.  I also get to see Multnomah Falls in daylight.  Further down the Columbia River Gorge, the trees start to disappear from the scenery.  The view is replaced with unusual, massive, multi-story-building-size rock formations. What isn’t rock is covered in a short grass-like tundra. Some of it reminds me of views I saw in Tibet.

Mt. Hood, Oregon

 Multnomah Falls, Oregon

Not long after crossing the border into Washington state, I come over a rise and am greeted with a jaw-dropping view of Mt. Rainier. A farm valley is between us with the occasional barn. I’m crushed that I am so late that I can’t even stop to take a picture.  This photo and the photo of Mt. Hood are both caught on the fly while driving down the interstate.

Mt. Ranier

 

The drive across Washington continues to be amazing. About forty-five minutes of the trip is across the Yakama Nation. There is so much variety in the scenery - Snow is on both sides of me in the higher elevations, streams with tall pines in other parts, and long views of desert in others.

I’ve loved totem poles of the Northwest Indian tribes ever since I was a kid. I’ve always had the dream of owning a real one. Passing through Toppenish, WA, which is within the Yakama Indian Reservation, I pass a small house with about twenty-five totem poles of various sizes and designs in the front yard. I can’t believe it.  I don’t even have time to stop and inquire! I’m still going to be late as it is. I will definitely be doing some research into this later.

I finally arrive in Wenatchee, sadly quite late. Fortunately, it is a great show, well attended, in a good venue. After the show, Boone and I grab a midnight breakfast at Shari’s. Shari’s is a definite stop the next time I see one. I find a hotel and finally make it to bed at 2:00 a.m.

Today’s drive along the Columbia River Gorge and across southeastern Washington State easily is one of the top ten drives I’ve ever made. I must have involuntarily said “Whoa!” twenty-five times as a new unexpected site suddenly appeared before me. This is a part of the country I hope to come back to very soon.