Rest day in Hood River

Stand-up paddleboarders

Hood River (pop. 7,100) is sometimes described as the windsurfing capital of America, thanks to the winds that almost constantly sweep up the gorge. Kiteboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, and hiking are also key to its appeal as a tourist town. The area has some high-tech industries too and is known for its pear and apple orchards.

Grounded

As usual, I enjoyed a thoroughly lazy rest day. Hood River being the sort of place it is, my breakfast eggs and coffee were organic. I browsed the bookshops, visited the bike shop, and strolled down twice to the waterfront to watch the windsurfing action. There was a competition due to start from the event site at 9:30am but hours later it had still not begun due to an uncharacteristic flat calm.