Day 1 – Portland to Vancouver, Vancouver to Eugene and Corvallis

My flight took me to Albuquerque, New Mexico as the stopover point, my first time there, and from there northwest to Portland International Airport. Coming in over the virtual desert of southeastern Oregon, the air thickened with smoke due to area wild fires and stagnant air from very hot weather. The peaks of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams peaked above the purple haze below, and the Columbia River did not reveal itself until we sunk below the pollution deck.

After picking up checked bags, and taking the shuttle to the off-site car rental office, we headed north on Interstate 205, quickly crossing into Washington (my 42nd state at the time) en route to Matt’s house. The numbered street grid of Vancouver’s transitions abruptly with the street grid of Battle Ground’s, so it took a while for us to meet up with Matt. Once we did, he showed us Mt. St. Helens from his backyard, and we had pizza at an eatery in town. Matt creates highway guides for Oregon and Washington on westcoastroads.com for those who might not know, and the three of us discussed roads, mountains, weather, etc. etc.

Although it was around 10:30 when we parted ways, Andy and I needed to get down to the Belt Line Road interchange of Interstate 5 in Eugene to clinch the freeway in Oregon. Rather than backtracking that far in the morning, we opted for it in the dark of night. Little did we know that the University of Oregon would be starting class the following week, so every motel and hotel in town was booked. Time to head back north, and check Albany, Corvallis, or Salem. Well by 0dark30, we found a place with a vacancy in Corvallis, even with it being the home to the Oregon State University, which was also about to start its semester!

Taking off over Albuquerque, New Mexico, as I look east toward Sandia. Albuquerque is a large city with just two freeways…

After getting our rental car, we headed west onto Airport Way and quickly encountered Interstate 205. The partial-cloverleaf interchange features a high-speed flyover from I-205 north to Airport Way west and PDX International Airport.

A six-lane span carries Interstate 205 over the beautiful Columbia River and Governor’s Island. Looking east, even with the haze, Mt. Hood rises majestically along the horizon.

Welcome to Washington! Interstate 205 quickly enters Vancouver, Washington and meets the Washington 14 freeway. Washington 14 begins at Interstate 5 near downtown and travels east along the north banks of the Columbia River to Interstate 82 & U.S. 395. The freeway portion entails the state highway between I-5 and Camas. All of Washington 14 was originally part of U.S. 830.

And Washington posts end shields with some consistency, including this one for Interstate 205’s north end at the wye merge with I-5. Traffic also merges from the on-ramp emanating from Northeast 120th Avenue and Northeast 134th Street too.

Thus is the end of the day’s photography; but the day’s driving would not conclude until 2:30 am!