Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 14: August 25th, 2007 Richland — La Grande

Today, my text message suddenly works again! Eventually I am able to send a message back home! And the positive news continues with the temperature: In the morning, we have almost pleasant 53 degrees compared to the almost freezing temperatures the last couple of days…

Because I am in the West now, I drive over to Shari’s for breakfast. This time I try the “Bold” coffee, which should be extra strong — and it is doing his name really credits! But therefore it really tastes like coffee!

Next, the plan is to look for an oil change. Jiffy Lube is a place, which I would like to avoid, because they already screwed up my oil drain plug. So I try my luck at Midas. Unfortunately they are already completely booked. Therefore I must go to Jiffy Lube again. To my surprise, they even do the grease job this time! But then they start the usual ripoff: Engine compartment cleaning, new radiator cap and and and …

Pretty bugged out I allow to fill up the coolant fluid — what they immediately honor with $6 on the bill, but haven’t done! I know, why I loathe this place like nothing else! Around half past nine I pay and am glad to be finally on the road again.

First I take the same highways to Pasco like yesterday.

Highway 12, Snake River, WA

Highway 12, WA

Then I continue on Highway 12 to Wallula Junction.

Hatch Grade Rd, WA

Hatch Grade Rd, Columbia River, WA

Hatch Grade Rd, WA

Hatch Grade Rd, WA

Hatch Grade Rd, WA

Hatch Grade Rd, WA

On Hatch Grade Rd I have gravel for the first time under my tires, when driving up the steep hill. After my arrival on the top, a big area of wind turbines greets me. There are a lot of them in Washington. There I realize, that my new shocks are way better on these uncomfortable washboard roads than my old ones! I like my new suspension more day by day!

Hartle Rd, OR

Hartle Rd, OR

Weifert Rd/County 847 Rd, OR

Without seeing any signs I cross the state line to Oregon on backroads.

The road changes from gravel to pavement and vice versa.

Cresswell Rd/County 1093 Rd, OR

Cresswell Rd/County 1093 Rd, OR

Sometimes I am on roads, which probably only the local farm guys use.

Highway 395, OR

The rest of my drive to Pendleton is according to my plan and with plenty of sunshine.

E Birch Creek Rd, OR

E Birch Creek Rd, Indian Lake, OR

E Birch Creek Rd, OR

From Pendleton I take Highway 395 South, which I have already driven last year. But this time I don’t take the Rocky Ridge Road, but the better established road south of it.

NF-21, OR

NF-21, OR

NF-21, OR

NF-21, OR

NF-21, OR

Finally I arrive at the Whitman National Forest.

NF-2105, OR

But soon I am locked up by an area, which is stated as “Experimental Forest”. All other attempts to get in this area and to be on my planned route are not successful. Therefore I must drive a bigger detour on Highway 244 to reach my originally planned route.

Ukiah-Hilgard Hwy/Highway 244, OR

Ukiah-Hilgard Hwy/Highway 244, Grande Ronde River, OR

Ukiah-Hilgard Hwy/Highway 244, Grande Ronde River, OR

Now I follow again the picturesque Grande Ronde River all the way to the Interstate. However, the play with sunlight was more beautiful last year, because I was there early in the morning in the other direction!

From the Interstate it is only a short distance to La Grande. There I reach my destination of today, the local Super 8. Just before the entrance, a lifted Full–Size Truck is parked — isn’t that a good sign?

But unfortunately the motel is completely booked, they only have suites left. So I drive again to the Sandman Inn on the other side of the road like last year. Back then I had the same problems and almost was not able to find a motel room. But this time I am lucky and receive a room. This one is a bit more expensive than the room in the Super 8, but still cheaper than the suite. Because I arrived pretty early, I check the video taping of today before dinner.

Around eight I depart. For dinner I look again for the Mexican restaurant “La Fiesta” where I already had a real good dinner last year. The food is again good and plenty. Only for my Coke refill I must pay extra: The first coke is charged $1.25, while the refill is $0.62. Around nine I pay and drive back to my motel. There I do my bookkeeping and enter the next GPS coordinates. While doing this I listen to my next CDs.