The Oregon Coast, Goonies and The Columbia River Gorge

Our week of spending time in and around Portland were all new experiences for our family.  We spent one full day in the city of Portland and stayed 4 nights in Pacific City RV park which was beautifully located within view of the Pacific Ocean and the small beach town. Portland was nice to visit but urban and we were good with experiencing the 40th anniversary of Saturday Market on a Sunday on our only day in town.

The second day was spent relaxing around the town of Pacific City. We climbed the huge sand dune along the coast and then sprinted down as fast as we could without falling.  The RV park was a Thousand Trails property which we are members of so we paid nothing to stay there.  So far we have had the good fortune of only paying for one night of camping (at a county park in California) for a total of $15.  This park, however, was not the most well managed place we have stayed and we were jolted by the sounds of two loud bangs at around 10pm on our last night.  We were freaked out as it sounded like two shot gun blasts.  We didn't sleep well but when morning came our neighbors said that it was large shell fireworks.  We were ready to leave regardless.   

One day we spent time driving up the 101 to Astoria, Oregon, a picturesque coastal village town made famous in my favorite movie, The Goonies. We made stops at Cannon Beach where both the opening scene of the ORV beach truck rally took place and took pictures of the rocks that held the key to One-Eyed Willlie's treasure!

It is officially named Haystack Rock and was easy to access from the little town of Cannon Beach.  (Note: The movie Point Break was also shot at this locale)

In Astoria they have preserved the jail that the Fratelli's break out of and have turned it into the Oregon Film Museum. The Jeep was there and the jail sits next to the museum where Mikey's dad Mr. Walsh worked.  Our only disappointment was not getting to see the Walsh house. Apparently the new owners want privacy and must not have been of our generation to understand the power they hold to our happiness!

We all watched goonies in the RV the night before in preparation! 

On the way up we passed Tillamook, OR and stopped quick at the huge factory where free tours and ice cream were enjoyed by the kids and I.  

After leaving Pacific City we made our way through Portland to scenic highway 84 better known as the Columbia River Gorge.  We stopped along our route at the Latourell Falls and hiked the 2.5 mile loop up to the upper falls. 

We then made our way back to a Walmart parking lot to boondock in the suburbs of Portland. That was a first and possibly a last!

The next morning we headed back up the river and stopped at the famous Multnomah Falls and ate breakfast in the historic lodge.  Really great food and a nice treat after the feeling of boondocking at Walmart!

We then headed east through rural Northeast Oregon, following the river, and stopped at a museum dedicated to the river and the town history of Dalles. There was a small fee but well worth every penny and it is located right on the banks of this mighty river.

We left and headed toward Spokane, WA!