The HMS Beagle crossed from California into Oregon near the end of April, 2016. Southern Oregon is quite mountainous and the Beagle followed a course inland from the coast as the coastal course, although beautiful, would have been more wearing on the ship than the Captain was prepared to allow. As well, the crew was desirous of returning to Canadian waters in good time. Still, the course chosen allowed for magnificent views of the near and distant scenery, including mountains to starboard in the Cascade Range. The largest of these in Oregon is Mount Hood which rises to about 11,240 feet and, like others in the Cascade Range, is a potentially active volcano.
Eventually, the Beagle descended into the valley of the Willamette River, which runs north to the city of Portland where it empties into the Columbia River which in turn runs to the Pacific Ocean. The Willamette Valley is home to about 70% of the population of Oregon. The rather unusual local pronunciation of Willamette places the emphasis on the middle syllable ‘a’ rather than the last syllable, as its spelling might otherwise indicate.
The agriculture of the Willamette Valley was a little surprising. The crew had of course known that Oregon is home to a thriving wine industry producing some of the best pinot noir in North America. but had been entirely ignorant of the fact that the Willamette Valley is – wait for this – the grass seed capital of North America (and possibly the world, as the local signs boast). Vast acres are devoted to the production of a variety of grass seeds, such as perennial and annual rye grass and fescue of various kinds. The other surprise was that this part of Oregon produces most of the hops required for the brewing of American beer, which has also led to a micro-brewery tsunami in the area around Portland.
The Beagle moored at the Wine Country RV Park in Dayton, Oregon. Unlike Paso Robles, Oregon wineries are not generally canine naturalist friendly, thus limiting the options for the crew in that regard. However, Master Chaffers and Mr. Darwin could walk to a nearby municipal park where Mr. Darwin was able to enjoy the outdoors, and the company of several other canines, every day.
One interesting feature of the Wine Country RV Park was the discrete “Vintages” section of the park, sporting not vintage wines but rather vintage travel trailers from by-gone eras. These trailers had modernized interiors, with up-to date features and appliances, along with the old style exteriors, and could be rented like hotel rooms. If you don’t own an RV but want to capture that old time Lucy and Desi experience, this is the place for you. The crew had seen this sort of accommodation in a KOA park in California with Airstream trailers on display, but here there were old Shastas and other vintage makes as well as Airstreams.
The crew decided to investigate the City of Portland and travelled north in the Captain’s yacht for an outing. It happened to be a Saturday and in Portland, in the old town and Chinatown area, a lively market is held on the weekends. The crew arrived to discover the market in full swing, thronging with people and canines, booths selling all kinds of wares and buskers plying their musical trade. A extensive area of the city is given over to the market along the bank of the Willamette River and into the old town area and the crew certainly enjoyed the bustle of the market and the green space of the park and walk along the river, Lunch was obtained at Dan and Louis Oyster Bar and enjoyed at tables set out on the narrow pedestrian only street in front of the restaurant. Having enjoyed the day the crew returned to the Beagle to prepare for the next part of the voyage.
The montage below records some of the visit to this area of Oregon.