August 9st, 2006
Well I sure as hell am glad I didn't do a vacation which required flight. I'm only sorry that I didn't camp out for a third night so as to remain oblivious to the troubles of the world for one more day.
The friendly people at Suburban Ford changed my part today right on schedule. I brought it in around 1:00pm and was on the road again about an hour later. With all this chasing the part I actually rolled into the dealer yesterday at 36,008 miles on my 36,000 bumper-to-bumper. After driving down to camp and back it was up to 36,065. Hertz gave me an extended warranty which I unwisely left the info for in San Francisco. I'm not sure this would be covered by it anyway. The service manager gave me a 'goodwill' deal and I got out the door for $50 and was glad to pay it at this point (the part alone would have cost me $132 without that). If nothing else I consider it a convenience fee for having them actually look at my car within a day as opposed to the "we can't even think about it for two weeks" I got from the unfriendly folks at Roberson Ford in Bend, or the blank stare I got from the guy in Burns when I said "Ford Focus".
I had enough time to charge my battery in my camera enough to snap all the photos I wanted driving into The Dalles where I got a nice room at the Shilo Inn for a price ($125) which also I'm kinda glad to pay considering how camp-odor laden I was. I'm not much of a swimmer but I jumped in that pool just as soon as I unloaded my car and made sure everything was working. Since it's salmon country I had a nice salmon dinner even though I normally am not much of a salmon person. Some could be spotted making their way up the rapids near my camp yesterday. I figure if they go through all that effort might as well enjoy it! Better than some lazy carp.
The Dalles is right across the border to Washington. I'm taking my time getting rolling but will head up through to Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier since I'm here. But for the price I paid for this room I'm not in a rush to beat the noon checkout. Get myself in order for the next segment of my journey.
Tollgate day use area
N45°19'22.86" W121°54 11.52" Elevation 905'
Mount Hood
viewed from N45°18'12.12" W121°40'24.84" Elevation 4,256'
Buried barn and windmill: the land was built up around the barn.
N45°09'21.90" W121°10'27.90" Elevation 1,858'
The Dalles, Oregon - Bridge to Washington
N45°36'19.56" W121°08'12.18" Elevation 110'
GPS reading from my hotel room balcony
The Dalles, Oregon - Old shacks looking through to the bridge
N45°36'19.56" W121°08'12.18" Elevation 110'
GPS reading from my hotel room balcony
The Dalles, Oregon - shacks
N45°36'19.56" W121°08'12.18" Elevation 110'
GPS reading from my hotel room balcony
See ya' later :-)
N45°36'19.56" W121°08'12.18" Elevation 110'
GPS reading from my hotel room balcony
<- Aug 8: Oregon Forests - road trip 2006 jump page - Aug 10: Mount Saint Helens ->
