[VAL] West Bound I-84 to Salem

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As time gets closer and we start seeing early workers headed West I want 
to share some information for those not familiar with Interstates 84, 
205, and 5 in that order.

Interstate 84 enters Oregon at Ontario on the Eastern border. Be aware 
that in Oregon you can NOT pump your own fuel. It must be done by the 
attendant on duty. Expect to take longer on your fuel stops. Fuel costs 
are a little bit higher in Oregon than Idaho. The Flying J in Caldwell 
is the last economy stop. There is also a Flying J in LaGrande.

The last mountains to climb are "The Blues" in the area around Mecham on 
the map. After that it is all down hill. In fact about 6 miles of 6% 
grade of downhill. For those with tow/haul features be glad. For those 
without manage your gears and brakes for the long run. And no, there is 
no easy way around it.

Once safely at the bottom the stopping for the day opportunities begins. 
Just be for you get to Pendleton there is an Indian casino right off the 
Interstate. Just past the casino is their RV parking. Full hookups, flat 
sites, $19.26 a night. From this campground it is about a 5 hour run to 
Salem. From Pendleton on there is a long string of State, Federal and 
private campgrounds along the Columbia River Gorge. You can see them and 
make reservations online at 
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/search_travel_corridors.php

About the time you get to Boardman you will drop down into the Columbia 
River Gorge for the rest of the trip into Portland. Now they don't call 
this area the windsurfing capitol of the world for the calm weather. It 
is a rare day when a stiff little breeze isn't blowing up or down the 
gorge. If you get distracted by the scenery the wind will refocus your 
attention. If your rig is a little wiggly you might want to review your 
procedures for manual braking of your trailer to take out a sway 
condition as it starts up. Just in case.

Remember to keep to your schedule and your eyes on the road. There are a 
bunch of things to do along this route. It can take you days to get 
through here. About 20 miles East of Portland, right between the 
Interstate lanes is a Park for Multnomah Falls. Looks tempting, but 
there is no RV parking. So if you have to you can do a slow pass through 
the parking area and look, just don't plan on stopping.

Just a few mile further down the road you will get to Troutdale. This is 
were the real traffic begins. The lane count goes from 2 to 5-6 and the 
traffic fills them in. Stay left of center as best you can.

The intersection of I-84 and 205 comes up shortly. The intersection 
splits 3 ways, I 205 South, I-205 North and I-84 West. You really want 
to go onto I-205 South, really. Just as you get to the intersection 
there are two lanes marked I-205 South. BE VERY SURE you are in the left 
lane of the two. The reason is the right lane merges just after you go 
through the underpass and turn left. If you get stuck in the right lane 
you risk not being able to merge and jamming up traffic behind you, 
especially if you are traveling in a group.

Once you are merged into the I-205 South bound traffic travel were you 
are comfortable. I would not recommend the far right lane because of the 
frequent on and off traffic. The post speed limit through here is 55. 
Travel that speed at your own risk. The locals are typically doing 65 plus.

After what seems an eternity you will seem to run out into the country 
south of Portland. It is but a brief pause. Here again you will have two 
lanes to make the transition to I-5 South. And again you need to be in 
the left lane of the two as the right lane merges into the left just as 
you have to deal with merging with southbound I-5 traffic.

After that is just heavy traffic all the way to Salem. For those that 
just have to there is a Camping World in Wilsonville.

And just to hook everything together the following is excerpted from the 
Blue Beret:

Coming from the North

Exit 258,

Turn right, (West) on to Portland Rd.
Continue approximately 1.5.
Turn left at red light on Lana (Ave. NE).
Cross Silverton Road into Bullpen.

This guide is based on our Spring trip to the Oregon Coast and does not 
take into account any construction that might pop up. After many days of 
traveling across the wide open spaces it is a bit of a shock to get back 
into big city traffic. Just take it carefully and one day soon it will 
be one of those experiences we like to brag about.

Good Luck and see you there.

Charlie & Betty
#5631