As you might have been aware, I toured the Columbia River Gorge and Mt, Hood. Both were awesome!

Once again, I should have taken more photos but the photos don't do the region any justice anyway. They simply can't capture how huge that mountain is.

I rode from Portland to Cascade Locks. The ride was very difficult. Lots of steep climbs. Didn't help that I was meet with 4 to 5 flights of stairs to go down just before the end of the trail They had a gutter to roll the bike but it was too darn close to the hand rail. I had to lean the bike just to clear the bags.

On the 3rd day I climbed above 5000 feet to the top of Mount Hood. I started in Parkdale at about 1,700 feet but with all the ups and downs, it still had to come to close or over 5000 feet of total climbing. The elevation change was not the problem. It was the heat and the relentless wind in my face the whole way.

I was actually worried about snow and almost ended up with heat stroke. It was probably the most physically difficult thing I have ever done. I almost gave up and hitched a couple of times. Even had my thumb out once. But I am now glad I was able to do it under my own power.

 

Sweet, you are a Iron Man. More pictures please.

How was your metro bike route?

 

Nice pics!!!

 

I was pissed when the shuttle driver took the south bound road as opposed to the north bound road as I requested. They are pretty flexible on slight route changes and all for just two bucks.

But had she taken the north bound road to get me back on 26. I would have missed this. Just right outside of Parkdale and I think the last time you see the mountain till you hit the top.

 

Sweet, you are a Iron Man. More pictures please.

How was your metro bike route?

I wish I had taken more. I thought I did. Maybe I need to check my phone. Not all may be archived.

Which metro route? The Springwater Corridor trail from Boring to Portland was fantastic until you hit Portland. Too many street crossings and way too many homeless and evidence of homeless due to all of the trash left behind at old campsites.

Here is the floating path in Portland which I think is kind of cool.

 

The Shining hotel. I did not have too much time to explore the shuttle was only there for 30 minutes and I did not have time to wait for the next one.

I think this might actually be the side.

 

This overhang is more pronounced on in real life. Columbia River Gorge again.

 

Horsetail Falls I think.

 

That is so cool. While I am glad you enjoyed your sojourn I wish to thank you for sharing some really cool pictures. You have yourself some memories to last a lifetime.

Ron