Day 25-Hood River, OR to Portland, OR-54.96 miles

We quietly tiptoed out of our bunkhouse room at the GorgeView Bed and Breakfast before anyone else was up. Ann and Pat had prepared our breakfast so that all we needed to do was put it together ourselves this morning. It worked quite well and we were on the road by 6:30. We biked to Cascade Locks on I-84, but being an early Sunday morning, traffic was light. At Cascade Locks we stopped for an espresso and Tai ate a second breakfast. From there we rode a bicycle trail through the forest. It was beautiful and quiet. We came to one spot where it was necessary for us to carry our bikes and trailers up a 3 story stairwell. It sounds difficult but actually was fairly easy. Again we biked a number of miles on the Historic Columbia River Highway. We stopped and photographed 2 beautiful waterfalls along the way. We finally left this beautiful highway and continued on into Portland on I-84. By this time the temperature was once again inching above the 100 degree mark, but the road was flat, there was a light breeze, and, when it seemed it was at its worst, a Wendy's Restaurant appeared at Troutdale. We took advantage of their air conditioning and had lunch. The final 10 miles did not seem so bad as we biked into Portland on one of their many bicycle-only paths. Portland is said to be the most bike friendly city in USA! We stayed Holiday Inn Express tonight to try to beat the heat. Tomorrow is predicted to be another hot day, with heat warnings already posted. We are looking for another early start.

-clarkwheel

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