From Fort Bragg, our plan was to continue north along the coast prospecting for surf along the way. Just like when we’re aboard Madrone, though, plans have a way of changing.
Time to say goodbye to the coast and head for the mountains
This time, the change started with some emails from sailing friends from Mexico. Our friends Brad and Sonni’s two dogs talked them into buying 50 acres overlooking a river in western Montana, and if we hurried we could make it there in time to also see our other friends Jeff and Brenda and Jenn and Jason. So, we loaded the rental car, programmed the GPS to avoid all interstates, and headed for Montana.
Our route from Fort Bragg, CA to western Montana
Our path took us through remote northeastern California, and then even more remote southeastern Oregon. We stopped for the night in Burns, OR – bonus points if you’ve ever heard of it.
Driving through miles and miles of nothing in southeastern Oregon. There was still a fair amount of smoke in the air from the forest fires, but luckily it cleared up as we got closer to Montana
We charged further north and east on the second day, winding past the stunning scenery of the Wallowas in northeastern Oregon, roaming through the endless wheat fields near the Palouse of eastern Washington, and ending the day in the lively downtown of Spokane.
Getting closer…
Our reward for the journey – a reunion for 8 sailors a long way from the ocean, and quality time with good friends. And during a pandemic, we had a worry free time – at this point, the 50 acres has no buildings so everyone was able to stay a healthy distance apart in the fresh mountain air.
Spokane Falls in downtown Spokane
