momentary locals

July 6, 2019

We woke up in Deschutes National Forest, for the last time on this trip. I felt a twinge of sadness as we broke camp today, knowing the days of this trip are numbered for me.

We hopped back into NF-15 and grabbed breakfast in Sisters Coffee Company. We both really enjoyed our breakfast, which included avocado toast and a breakfast burrito, yum! The weather was pleasant so we sat at an outdoor table with Henri. Sisters is such a dog friendly spot, we met Tater the 7 month of corgie and met many dog lovers who gave Henri some love.

After breakfast, we took Hwy 26 which passed various small towns and farms with alpacas and goats. Hwy 26 then met up with Mt Hood Scenic Byway which took us up to Hood River. The entire drive we had majestic Mt Hood to admire.

We arrived in Hood River in time for lunch. We picked Double Mountain Brewpub based on a Lonely Planet recommendation and it was very good and very busy! They had an actual selection of ciders to try, about 6 different ones, including a couple pear ones. Their pizza and sandwiches were also excellent. After lunch, I grabbed a treat from Cicci Gelato, hazelnut and salted caramel flavors, yum!!

We definitely did not realize this as we pulled into Hood River, but we could tell something was happening because there were a ton of kite and wind surfers out on the glistening water, their colorful kites dancing in the wind, and even more spectators sitting around, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere. It turned out that there was a wind kiting competition going on, drawing both seasoned athletes and enthusiastic amateurs alike. While soaking in the lively scene, we met Mike from San Diego, who was also there to enjoy the festivities; he enthusiastically recommended that we stay at Stevenson, a charming campsite just a stone’s throw from the water. For only $10 a night, we secured a vehicle campsite that offered us stunning views right by East Point Kite Beach, making it the perfect base for our adventure. After setting up camp, we had a delightful dinner at Walking Man Brewery, where we enjoyed some local brews and hearty food. There, we crossed paths with Woody, the campsite ambassador, who shared tales of the area and gave us tips on the best spots to explore during our visit. Overall, great find!