After breakfast at the B&B, we headed out on highway 202 from Astoria. The owner of the B&B said that we woudn't want to take that road since it's way too narrow and there are a lot of tight curves. We're guessing that he just doesn't understand motorcycles. The first 60 miles or so were nice and twisty with lots of shade from the trees. Then we got on highway 26 where everyone was speeding, no shade and the temperature started to climb. We arrived in McMinnville around 12:30 and headed for the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum with hopes that it would be air conditioned. By this time it was 99°F according to the OAT on the bike. The aviation museum itself was not air conditioned but it was reasonably cool compared to outdoors. The museum is dominated by the Spruce Goose, the Howard Hughes built wooden transport plane. It was disassembled and shipped from Long Beach by barge then by truck. Some of the sections were 5 lanes wide. A pretty impressive undertaking. The Aviation display included 2 Urals. A 2007 retro and a later model Gear Up. I think the only reason they are there is that they look old.
We saw an Imax film on volcanos, tornados and earthquakes. It was a decent documentary and the theatre was air conditioned. Afterwards we went to the space exhibit which is also air conditioned. I took quite a few photos using the dslr there but most of the displays were like all of the other space museums I've been to over the years. At least I can now take pictures of an SR-71 without an MP yelling at us. I first saw one on the ramp at Edwards Air Force Base where it was being refueled back in 1975. We were allowed to walk up to it for a better look but no cameras were allowed. The MP held onto them while we walked around the plane.
The Evergreen is a great museum in case you've never been here before. And there is even a aviation themed waterpark attached. It's now cooled down to only 104°F from a reported high of 107°F. We are at the Comfort Inn about 1.4 miles west of the museum.
While at the museum, we ran into Gene K from Fairbanks. Another airhead rider and former colleague at the university. Small world...
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So glad it has cooled down to nearly 100. Is it the real 'spruce goose?'
ReplyDeleteYes, that is the one and only Spruce Goose. I first saw it in Long Beach on display next to the Queen Mary.
DeleteNow, at 7:15am, it's a wonderful 61°F.
Those temperatures would kill me. Wow
ReplyDeleteIt's been this way ever since I crossed the border starting from Idaho. Crater Lake was cool as was the coast but everywhere else it's been hot. It sure was nice to have an air conditioned room to stay in and not a tent.
DeleteI'd say the BnB operator definitely didn't understand the type of road you were looking for. It is unfortunate you ended up on Hwy 26, that is a major artery (racetrack) to and from Portland.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it to the museum though. Last time we went they were still building the water park.
Looking forward to seeing you two today.
Fortunately, there wasn't a whole lot of traffic going towards Portland. Most of the traffic was heading for the coast.
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