The wife and I just got back from an epic (to us) adventure to Oregon and down the coast. The plan was simple, camp in the Columbia River gorge for a few nights, spend a couple of nights in Portland in a hotel, two more nights camping on the coast, then one more night in Reno, NV about half way home. It took us 9 days, 2660 miles (or 4281 kms), and we had a blast with zero issues!! We loaded up Stoffel (1989 HJ61) the day before and headed out on a Friday. The Tepui tent was already installed so the pack up wasn't too bad. The wife and I did have a talk prior to leaving about traveling in a 27 year old vehicle that was never sold here in the US. We agreed that there would be some issue (big or small) and we would deal with it when it happened. Worst comes to worst we ship Stoffel to the nearest competent mechanic, or home and rent a vehicle to finish off the trip. Turns out everything went better than expected and no mechanic was needed!!!

The first three days (and nights) we spent in the Columbia River Gorge. Beautiful, beautiful country!


Setting up camp in the pouring rain


Happy wife in the Tepui tent!


The Columbia River from Vista House


Waterfalls everywhere!!




Boat ride!!


Multhnoma falls

The next couple of night were spent in a hotel in downtown Portland. I was pretty worried about parking because the hotel only had validated parking and Stoffel wouldn't fit. They pointed me to a garage a half a block away and they were the ticket! Not only did Stoffel fit, but the guys were from Micronesia and used to the RHD, win win!! They even moved an Audi to make room for it righ up front. Lol


Parking spot of honor!! Lol

Portland was a great town to visit. Food was great, we felt safe walking around, and there is a ton of culture there. I'm not sure we would want to live there, but awesome to visit! While there we went to the Japanese garden and the Rose garden. Sooooo many flowers!!









After that we were off to the coast! Being from landlocked Utah we really don't see the kind of water and bridges that were in the area. So freaking cool!



---------- Post added 06-20-16 at 08:01 PM ----------

Then we got to the coast. HOLY FREAKING S#&*!!! The coast was so damn scenic it was stupid. We seriously had a 6 hour drive from Portland to our camping spot the next day and it took us about 11 hours. Every time we would come around another corner we would pull over and take more pics! The first night we stayed in a State Park near the coast and the second night was in Redwood National and State Park right on the coast. Awesome, awesome night!















After that it was on to Reno for a night and then home. It was a great trip and the old Land Cruiser did fantastic! We couldn't be happier about the trip and can't wait for the next! Thanks for looking and the rest of the pics can be found here!

[paulh]

Sounds like a great trip! Nice photos too - thanks for sharing

[lesmore49]

Great pix. We did a similar trip back in 1995. We drove our 19 year old (at the time) Chevrolet Impala across three prairie provinces, BC to Vancouver Island and back across 4 states, pulling our camping trailer. We camped along the eay and had some memorable times with our two kids, who were quite young at the time.

We also had concerns about using such an old car, particularly with the Rockies, but like you everything went well. We haven't camped for awhile, but seeing your photos as you camped along the way, sure makes me long for a road trip.

[Mallee Boy]

Thanks for taking us on your trip. Full confidence in the Land cruiser, she would be just about run in by now and ready for a big trip. ��

[rod_grant]

Great story & pics.
The Cruiser looks in great nick: if they are well cared for, they just keep going.

[bertwert]

Sounds like it was an awesome trip!
And great photos!

[Jeff]

Wow! Great images. What lenses were you using?

[mr tibbs]

Thanks everyone! It was a great trip and hopefully the first on many more like it. We have had the vehicle for close to two years now and have done a ton of work to it. The idea is to continue to do these type of trips in this vehicle for the next 20+ years!

Wow! Great images. What lenses were you using?

Thank you sir! Most of them were with the Pentax 10mm - 17mm Fisheye, but some are taken with the fantastic plastic Pentax DA 35mm and others with a Tamron 17mm - 55mm.

[BigDave]

Nice images, great sequence. The Oregon Coast is so nice,and quiet (not like East Coast beaches/coast). Nice use of the extreme W/A!

[slowpez]

What a great trip you had. Glad it was trouble free. I don't think there is anywhere in the world to match the beauty to be found in the Columbia Gorge. Sure hope we get back there someday.

[sealonsf]

Thanks for taking us along!