2016 Motorcycle Adventure (DAY Twenty Five)

Because I wasn't going to work this morning with Cavan I didn't have to get up quite so early but for me 7:00am is still very early. It was a difficult morning because we all had such a good time together but it was time for me to go. Cavan didn't even have time to eat breakfast and he was gone. Angie didn't have to leave quite so early so she was a perfect host and cooked me up a hardy breakfast of two eggs, sausage and toast. I ate my breakfast and hugged Angie goodbye and before I knew it I was knocking down the miles out on the "slab".
Even though it probably won't ever happen, I would so love for them to be near me in Bracebridge so father and son could do things together and I could be available when they start a family. Sometimes I feel like I live on the moon because my children are so far away.
The day was going to be hot as I rode east through the Columbia Gorge that runs along beside the mighty Columbia River. I stopped briefly in Hood River, the wind surfing capital of America. It became very popular years ago because the wind blows you east and the current carries you west so it's a perfect setup for wind surfing. You can play out on the river all day and let the wind and the current do all the work. Here's a couple of shots along the river.

Here is a tugboat pushing a couple of barges down the river.

The Columbia River divides Washington and Oregon States.

From here the geography changed rather dramatically. The Cascade Mountain range that parallels the west coast divides the state into two distinct weather zones. Portland, Eugene and Salem are all cities to the west and get lots of precipitation and thus the giant fir trees and lush vegetation. The eastern side of the Cascades is dry, almost desert and usually gets little rain but it's much colder in the winter and often gets snow.
Once I reached the Tri-Cities (Kennewick, Richland and Pasco) of Washington State it really was starting to heat up. It got up to the low 90's but my two previous early mornings had done a number on my sleep patterns and I actually found myself nodding out on the bike. This is dangerous no matter what vehicle you're in and so I stopped, got some water and found a shady spot to lie down for a cat nap. I am not a napper so this was most out of character but it really helped.
By the time I had reached Spokane, Washington I had traveled 352 miles and been on the road for six hours so it was time to look for a campground. I found a nice KOA at the edge of the city and got all setup for an early night.