Last Day of Drive: 565 miles on I-84

Leaving Twin Falls, Idaho: Snake River Gorge

Until we got into Portland, the whole drive was on I-84 (easy directions). We entered Oregon around 12:30 pm, shortly before adjusting our watches to pacific time. Unfortunately, the speed limit dropped from 75 to 65 in Oregon.

I was surprised how dry and desert-like the eastern part of Oregon is. It's like that until the Cascade Mountains, then you get to see spruces and more green. The last stretch of I-84 was through the Columbia River Gorge, stunning views (including Mount Hood) with lots of wineries. Driving into the city was a weird mixture of excitement and apprehension: this will be our new home. We don't know anything or anybody here - a new chapter, a clean slate.

We arrived at our rental house around 6:30 pm. The house is actually better than we thought, it'll do for a year. We unloaded the car for the last time and then headed to Gabriel Park with Haley, which is just a block away. It's such an outdoor culture here: lots of people walking, playing tennis or basketball. Then we walked (!!) into Multnomah Village to the Lucky Lab Brew Pub, where we sat outside, ate pizza and drank beer. Many people were there with their dogs. There are a lot of small stores, restaurants, bakeries, cafes ets. in Multnomah Village, it feels very European.

My car is being delivered today and the furniture will come on Friday. We hope the big truck can make it to our house: the streets are very narrow (and in horrible condition, huge pot holes everywhere - isn't that what these high taxes should pay for!?) with low branches and utility lines.

I plan to make regular blog posts about our experience here so stay tuned!