Messinger Creek

We left our icky campsite this morning with the intention of slowly making our way into Portland. We were going to stop in towns that looked interesting. Just as we came into Cascade Locks there was a visitor center with typical tourist shenanigans. John and I decided to book a 2hour tour on the sternwheeler paddleboat. Very cool and a nice break from driving.
We drove through the town of Troutdale and found a great river for recreation. We found parking and scrambled down the embankment to investigate the Sandy River. Beautiful water, but again, real estate on the river is just out of our grasp. Still something to revisit if real estate continues to stall.
Entering Portland was a bit jaw-dropping for me. John knows a lot more about the unrest here in past years. (But I have to say, even he was shocked by the numbers of encampments and transients.) Nice neighborhoods with little cottages and manicured lawns with giant tarp, tent, and cardboard box encampments across the street or in the medians. Shopping carts, clothing and garbage strewn about. Very unsettling. Tons of graffiti. Sorry if I sound callous, but I want no part of a city that allows that. Portland and it’s immediate suburbs would be a “no” for us. It’s a real shame because downtown Portland is gorgeous!
Showered at Planet Fitness and staying the night in the Cracker Barrel parking lot. We scored a cat sit and have to be there tomorrow morning.Read more