Central CA to Boundary WA

[NOMOFO]

Will be heading up to Boundary for my wife's family reunion in mid July. Have 93 W350 with Elkhorn 11Z slide in. This will be our first journey of any distance with this new (to us) rig. Recently installed Airlift bags and am installing Hellwig swaybar. Bags helped a lot and expect swaybar to help as well. Will try to rig frame mount tie downs before but may have to dive in with Happy Jacs due to time constraints. Fully expecting some wind and related excitement.

Am considering I 5 to Portland then 84 along the Gorge to 82 to 395 to 25. Was also considering using 97 but my wife is a U of O alum and would like to visit friends in Eugene.

Any comments on routes or driving with camper cautions will be much appreciated.

Thanks, Bob

 

[Andy Perreault]

The gorge area can get very windy. Just thought you should be aware of that. Have a good trip.

Andy

 

[illflem]

If you use 97 on the way north from Weed then come back on I-84 and I-5 you can hit still Eugene and the wind though the Gorge will be at your tail.

 

[NOMOFO]

Thanks guys.

illflem, I think you have the wind thing at the Gorge backwards. Having formerly been an avid windsurfing nut the attraction there for us was the wind blowing against the flow and building steep waves for launching and getting "Big Air". Of course the only time I went I got skunked for wind so please correct me if I'm wrong.

We may actually go back on 20 towards Seattle to visit some friends and family then pickup 5 on the way back and hit Eugene then.

 

[dabubba]

cascade locks is the state parks are nice- the oregon side of the gorge is the nicer side to travel- there is great rv park in roseberg can't remember the name but it had a great sites overlooking a river- and don't forget the rogue river jet boat through hellgate canyon (I did it from gold beach-) or try crater lake, however go in the south entrance the north entrance is a good climb- did it once won't make that mistake again if you're into logging collier state park has a cool logging machinery display-- hope this helps---

 

[JSchooley]

97 is a very nice way to go. Fast and little traffic.



If you have a little extra time, 395 through northern Oregon is some of the prettiest country you can find.



Have a nice trip.

 

[JAnderson]

Using 97 will save some miles but definitely not time. The road is good but slower than freeway. There are a couple of us TDR members in the bend area so if you decide to go this way look us up if you need assistance, a place to stay, or just want to visit. 97 is a more scenic drive than I-5 but its up to you. Good traveling!!!

 

[NOMOFO]

Thanks for all the tips guys! We only have 9 days to do this whole thing so we're most likely to do the quickest routes. Maybe the least windy areas will be the best choice even if the roads aren't as good. This will be the first trip longer than 35 miles from home with this rig. The visions of howling gorge winds with all this "sail area" on the truck are keeping me awake some nights. So if y'all have any input on the least windy of choices I would really like to hear those. Would like the learning curve of driving with this 'behemoth" not to be too steep!