After Portland we headed back to the coast, to Astoria, on the southern side of a 5 mile bridge spanning the Oregon - Washington line. Zar timed the crossing and it took us 6.09 minutes to drive across. Apart from being a sleepy fishing town, the main attraction in Astoria is the Goonies house that seemed to be quite a drawcard for tourists. Interestingly, an Israeli flag hangs out the front of the house along with the stars and stripes that fills the skies of most towns.

We escaped the heat in Portland for a day and headed for Mt St Helens. On the way we were sidetracked by a refreshing swim in a cold lake.

WOW a front loading washing machine!

We spent a few days hanging out in Portland pretending to be locals. Great stumphouse coffee, played in fountains, lined up for tacos and sat outside drinking sangria, ate from the food carts downtown, swung on sidewalk swings and enjoyed the last throws of summer.

Left California and crossed into Oregon. Met Julian and Ange on the road in Eugene and headed for Florence (not Italy). It was a gorgeous but deserted coastal town. Went to Mo's restaurant on the pier for the worst meal in the USA - a deep fried people watching experience. Zar's meal was served on a frisbee which was handy for the sand dunes the next day.

On to Mt Shasta City, a gorgeous little mountain town. We climbed (drove) up Mt Shasta (12,000 ft peak) higher than anywhere in Australia. Watched the trees change as we climbed, getting more and more sparse. Walked around the barren mountain top. It was so quiet up there.

We went to a great organic Japanese restaurant that would give Misuzus a run for its' money.

On to Napa Valley. Wine, olive oil and honey tasting, more farmers markets, a cool skate park and great traditional gourmet burgers at Gott's Roadside in St Helena.

Just north of San Francisco we stopped at Muir Woods. A living Redwood monument. The trees were as tall as a 30 storey building and the species date back to the dinosaurs. Quite an amazing place.

Had an impromptu art lesson in the forest. And continued on our way.

We have never walked up so many hills. Zar has never scootered down so many hills. Mornings started off cloudy, but the days became sunny and filled with lots of great fun things:

- rainbows of the castro

- murals and taquerias of the mission (24th street)

- amazing kids parks 'the best in the world' - zar (Golden Gate Kids Park)

- crazy ice cream flavours - white peach and miso, olive oil, jesus juice (coke and red wine)

- crossing golden gate bridge for dinner with ronit and ido

- climbing up twin peaks to get stuck in a rain cloud

- 360 degree views from coit tower

- eateries on 18th (Tartine Bakery, Bi Rite Ice Cream, Delfina's Pizzeria)

- Ferry ride to Sausalito and farmers market from the Ferry Building