Thursday afternoon marked the beginning of our Overlanding Experience to Redmond, Oregon, for our very first Overlanding Expo. With a 9–10-hour drive ahead of us, we planned an overnight stay at Wish Poosh Campground in Washington. By 8pm, we had arrived at our cozy camp spot. The area was private, surrounded by trees, and quiet—perfect for a quick setup of our campfire and a simple meal. We didn’t stay up too late, knowing we had an early morning ahead. Jeff always seems to sleep like a log while camping, but me? I’m the one who never sleeps much and expects to be tired on these trips, ha-ha!
Morning arrived early, and we packed up the truck and rooftop tent. Our first stop was a charming village where we snapped some photos of the picturesque brick buildings. The drive was breathtaking, with distant volcanoes like Mount Hood, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens gracing the horizon. We stopped at Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint, a mini canyon with a river below. The old highway bridge had been converted into a footpath, offering great photo ops.
By 1pm, we reached Redmond and checked in at the expo, which had a view of a beautiful snow-covered mountain in the background, looking out from the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center. We found our spot in the grassy camping area, though the tight parking was a bit disappointing. We were so close to our neighbours that setting up our canopy and annex made it almost impossible for them to open their vehicle doors. Minor annoyance aside, the spot was decent but did hamper the overall Overlanding Experience.
The expo itself was a whirlwind of excitement and sweat. With hundreds of vendors showcasing neat and useful products, we ended up buying just one thing—a Geyser portable shower. This purchase was a game-changer! After using it the next morning, I felt incredibly refreshed and clean. Highly recommend!
After our refreshing shower, we returned to the expo for a cooler, more comfortable exploration. We spent about three hours checking things out, grabbed some food from the on-site trucks, and then decided to venture out and explore. Without a solid plan, we headed towards Portland, making a pit stop at Smith Rock. We had visited before but couldn’t resist seeing its beauty again.
Back on the road, we drove towards Portland and then back up towards Washington. We tried to find camping near Mount Rainier but hit a snag—the Discovery Pass we bought didn’t cover many rec sites, and most places were full or not very appealing. We ended up deciding to stay in a hotel in Yakima for the night.
After a hot shower and a good meal, we were ready for more exploring. Jeff’s backroad maps app led us through a scenic valley and up a forest service road into the mountains, eventually bringing us out by Wenatchee. The road was a mix of paved, gravel, and dirt, with some sketchy spots. We made it through with just a tiny dent as a memento!
Once in Wenatchee, we grabbed gas and continued our aimless journey, considering crossing back into Canada to find a camp spot. Ultimately, we decided to drive the 2.5 hours back home and crash in our own bed for the night. It’s a common pattern for us—plan to camp for the last night of a long trip, then opt for the comfort of home. Overall, it was a fantastic trip. The expo was cool, but next time, we might skip paying extra for camping. It was great to check something off our bucket list and enjoy some quality time together. Now, back to reality! We’re gearing up for our 2024 family vacation along the Oregon coast in just five weeks. Stay tuned for more adventures.
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