After departing beautiful Westfir we’ve followed the Willamette River downstream as it bisects Portland before joining the mighty Columbia. Fourth largest river in the US, the Columbia forms in the Rockies of British Columbia, flows northwest until reversing course, entering the US in eastern Washington. It’s joined by the Snake, it’s largest tributary, just before flowing westward towards the Pacific Ocean creating the state line between Washington and Oregon.
We’re parked at Columbia River RV Park, literally on the banks of the Columbia in north Portland. This is a beautiful location, however with Portland International Airport just over a mile to the east, landings and takeoffs are a bit noisy. The Portland Yacht Club is right across the street and Columbia Edgewater Country Club is next door. With about 150 sites, this older park provides full hookups, back-in and pull-through sites that are adequate, but a bit tight. A clean laundry room is equipped with huge, commercial type washers and dryers along with showers, a clubhouse and rec room.
Columbia River RV Park
On Wednesday we took a trip to McMinnville, about an hour south west from Portland. McMinnville calls itself the “Heart of Oregon’s Wine Country”. And, if the number of wine tasting rooms is any indication, they are right! There seems to be tasting rooms everywhere you look. The historic downtown is beautiful with old restored and well preserved buildings.
3rd Street, McMinnville, OR
Beginning a walking tour of the downtown area, we first stopped at the Atticus Hotel. Purpose built in 2017, this 4 story structure fits perfectly with its neighboring history. Inside are luxurious rooms and suites along with Cypress, their mediterranean inspired restaurant. For those looking for accommodations outside of an RV park, we’d highly recommend Atticus. After a brief walk around town we found a table at Pinot Vista Tasting Lounge for some wine/beer refreshments accompanied by local singers and band members. For dinner, we enjoyed Pinch, a relatively new restaurant serving interesting dishes from Dungeness Crab to Lamb Rigatoni to Alaskan Halibut, and, of course with an extensive wine cellar. We had an excellent afternoon in McMinnville! JD, thanks for being an exceptional tour guide!
Atticus Hotel, McMinnville, OR
Pinch Restaurant, McMinnville, OR
Back in Portland, we’re surprised to find little in the way of entertainment or restaurants on “our side” of the river. Heading across the aptly named “Washington-Oregon Bridge” that carries I-5 over the Columbia, we found the relaxing casual riverside restaurant of Beaches in Vancouver, WA. The scenery was fantastic, food was tasty and the service was excellent!
From Portland we’ll make the short trip up to Sequim, WA – nearly the furthest point north and west in the continental US. More from the Strait of Juan de Fuca…
Small Home - Big Yard 