After Toledo we ride easy undulating roads beside the River Cowlitz. It is beautifully sunny, and we pass typical farms with enormous dutch-style wooden barns.
Our evening stop is at Longview on the Columbia river, camping in the back "yard" of Bonnie and Steve. Their beautiful garden has grass like a bowling green. A balmy evening is passed enjoying a barbie and fresh produce from their garden.
The route next morning along the riverside road is shared with many logging lorries charging along in both directions! Then we cross to an island by bridge, and just catch the 11am small ferry from the other side to Westport. We had to negotiate with the ferryman to get the tandem on for the price of a single bike, then we disembarked into the state of Oregon.
Some of the route now is along the Lewis and Clarke trail, named for the pioneers from c1800. Panoramic views of this major river from a view point at the top of our biggest hill yet (Catsop Ridge), and info here about John West and his famous salmon canning factory.
Astoria, at the mouth of the Columbia river, is a charming small port, with historic wooden jetties and terrific views of a massive iron road bridge across the estuary. From here 5 miles to Seaside and fog! Apparently this has hung around here all day. This coast is famous for fog, but fingers crossed it lifts sometime soon.
Tour miles to date: 930
Location:Centralia to Seaside
