Our trip westward was slightly intimidating but ultimately fine. When we woke I checked the pass report to find that not much had changed - chains were still required and the weather looked like it might be getting worse that night.
So accepting reality at last, Steve headed out to the nearby Les Schwab to purchase some chains for the trailer. We have chains for the truck but didn't have any for the trailer. Meanwhile, I got the kids and trailer packed up. We headed out around 10 am and while there was some sprinkles of snow in Sunriver, the major HWY (97) was bare and clear.
After a while we turned onto HWY 58 to head over Willamette Pass. It reminded me a lot of HWY 2 but with smaller roads that are not as well maintained. Around mile post 70 the roads got worse continually until we were driving on compact snow. We were actually doing OK and just taking it really slow. But because we had seen the requirement earlier, we ultimately pulled over to chain up. Steve approached one of the truckers who was also there chaining up and after a brief conversation returned happy to report that the chain requirement had been dropped. So off we went down the mountain. Honestly there were a few patches of snow on the road when we thought chains would have been nice but we made it without incident. Steve did a great job handling the trailer and dealing with the stress of the unknown. We hope to return the chains for a refund.
The rest of the trip through the western regions of Oregon were beautiful. We traveled via Scenic Highway 38 which took us along a healthy river through farming and timber towns. We stopped in Elkton to visit a winery and have quick break (good pinots here).
We also enjoyed stopping at the Elk reserve and viewing station just outside Reedsport. The boys had fun looking through their very own binoculars at the massive herds of elk.
So accepting reality at last, Steve headed out to the nearby Les Schwab to purchase some chains for the trailer. We have chains for the truck but didn't have any for the trailer. Meanwhile, I got the kids and trailer packed up. We headed out around 10 am and while there was some sprinkles of snow in Sunriver, the major HWY (97) was bare and clear.
After a while we turned onto HWY 58 to head over Willamette Pass. It reminded me a lot of HWY 2 but with smaller roads that are not as well maintained. Around mile post 70 the roads got worse continually until we were driving on compact snow. We were actually doing OK and just taking it really slow. But because we had seen the requirement earlier, we ultimately pulled over to chain up. Steve approached one of the truckers who was also there chaining up and after a brief conversation returned happy to report that the chain requirement had been dropped. So off we went down the mountain. Honestly there were a few patches of snow on the road when we thought chains would have been nice but we made it without incident. Steve did a great job handling the trailer and dealing with the stress of the unknown. We hope to return the chains for a refund.
The rest of the trip through the western regions of Oregon were beautiful. We traveled via Scenic Highway 38 which took us along a healthy river through farming and timber towns. We stopped in Elkton to visit a winery and have quick break (good pinots here).
We also enjoyed stopping at the Elk reserve and viewing station just outside Reedsport. The boys had fun looking through their very own binoculars at the massive herds of elk.
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