Rick and Gary on a bike ride along in the Willamette River as it passes through Portland.

After two days in Portland, we went to Canon Beach, which is about a two-hour drive due West.

Oddly, Canon Beach flora is reminiscent of the a the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Although the average temperature is of course higher in Costa Rica, both coasts have volcanic soil and lots of rain. 

Multnomah Falls, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.

Gary on a bicycle trip from Hood River to the Mosier Twin Tunnels, along the Historic Columbia River Highway (which is closed to motorized traffic in the this section) 

Gary in the Columbia River by the town of Hood River.  During the summer, this area is packed with wind surfers from all over the world (especially Germany). There's perfect, steady wind in the summer because the temperature difference between the Pacific and inner Oregon, combined with the narrowness of the river valley, creates a wind tunnel effect.  In October, however, there is little wind and no wind surfering. 

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