Salem, the state capital of Oregon

We left Corvallis by 9 this morning heading to Albany and eventually Salem. We crossed the Willamette River three times today and once the Calapooia River by Albany. 

Before leaving our Motel 8 this morning I slid a note under the door of the adjoining room and then quickly biked away. I was having trouble falling asleep to start with last night. Not enough biking I guess. But at 2 am a couple checked in next door and for the next three hours, till 5am they were shall we say, active! You could hear every sound they made. So I politely left a note saying that from 2-5 in the morning they should be considerate of their neighbors (they will think we were Americans) and keep the noise down. I think Motel 8 needs better sound proofing.

The ride to Abany was beautiful, a winding country road with little traffic. We followed the Willamette River so hills were few. Farm lands with fields of wheat, rye (they grow lots of grass seed) and big fields of peppermint. 

And fields of such evenly spaced vegetables, beans I think.

The sun was finally out all day, lots of sunscreen.  Norm had his heart set on breakfast at Albany. We had the free breakfast offered again at the motel. This time cereal and toast, leaves a lot to be desired. But Albany was a quiet downtown since everyone seems to have moved to the suburbs. We settled on a bagel and moved on. By lunch time we  found enough leftovers in our pack of cheese, bread, apple and of course beer. Great spot, the Knox Hill cemetery, a very quiet place. 

And the view......

Fortunately the roads were country ones with little traffic but it was getting hot out there. I kept thinking of the ice cream I would have whenever we could find a town big enough to sell some. 

The road was called Buena Vista as was the little ferry we took to cross the Willamette River, a cable ferry that holds maybe 6-8 cars. We were the only passengers, free but $1 for each bike.

Definitely Yellow Bunny's thing. She loved the fresh air. 

It took a lot longer than I thought to reach the next town of Independence. Finally I had the best praline carmel ice cream. Norm, a beer. We earned them.

Last stretch to Salem. Only 8 miles says Norm. It is now 4:30 and we started our day at 9. Well it was actually 12 miles and I must say we were both dragging a bit by the end. 75 kms today, checked into the Travellers Inn just after 6. Did a walk around the block in the Historical District of Salem. Hungry for dinner found us at Johnny's Bar and Grill. It was actually not bad. Norm thinks I could pass for a bouncer here. 

We have done over 300 kms so far and still have a couple more days to go. Portland by Friday. Great traveling by bike, you just never know what you will find.