Oregon...east

[pdedse]

I made it home about 5pm today.  I dislike making decisions when pressed.  My back hurt overly uncomfortable for all of 18 hours...then normal annoyance.  It makes me wonder if I could have kept going...but I really didn't want to be in bad shape or in a difficult position as the main reason for this trip was to spend time with future in-laws in Syracuse, NY, which I'll now fly to do.

So this trip turned into less than desired, but was still a great "consolation prize".

Day 1...Monday, June 16: left by 9am, and after a couple of hours on the Oregon side of the Columbia River, crossed the stream to hiway 14.  The John Day dam in the background

The plan was to head for Walla Walla, Washington, mostly on hiway 14 which does not grow wary of offering views


My brother just retired from BNSF railroad.  He likely has seen the engines that pull these cars pass through his station in Topeka, Kansas


Somewhere northeast of Walla Walla on hiway 12


My destination for the night was Clarkston campground on an island in the middle of the Snake River, about 7 miles before the the towns of Clarkston-Lewiston.  I didn't pack a tent, only a hammock.


It's super easy to set-up, a product made by Bear Butt.  Highly recommended.  I actually sleep better in the hammock than with inflatable mats on a tent floor.  A little eerie feeling because you're totally exposed, but it's kinda cool, too.

A short hike along the Snake River




And it was time to bed down.  The campground had showers with hot water, so that made for a lovely evening.  View from the hammock:


Map of what the trip morphed into: