Hood River and Columbia River Gorge
This morning, after arriving at The Dalles, we were happy to see the morning clouds lifting and leaving us with blue skies and glimpses of Mount Adams in Washington. We began our exploration of this beautiful area at the Columbia River Discovery Center, learning much from their new display on Lewis and Clark and the other exhibits on the Columbia River Gorge. From the Discovery Center, we took motor coaches up the winding, narrow and beautiful historic Columbia River Scenic Highway to the Rowena viewpoint. In 1916, when it was completed, the scenic highway provided early settlers with a "good" road to Portland. Now drivers can move much more quickly along Highway 84, just above river level. Fortunately, many sections of the old road are still open for those who wish to take a side trip, or even a walk.
After our stop at the Rowena viewpoint, many of us chose to explore the old highway on foot, walking a recently restored (for foot and bike traffic only) section through the Mosier Tunnels, admiring the views and the yellow leaves of the big leaf maple. Others chose instead to stroll the streets of Hood River to visit shops and historic buildings.
This afternoon we cruised through the Columbia Gorge, and got to experience firsthand some of the wind that makes Hood River the wind surfing capitol of the world. The afternoon sun made interesting lighting as we headed downriver to toward the Pacific. We passed through our final lock of the trip at Bonneville Dam and then with cameras in hand, enjoyed the views of several waterfalls on the Oregon side of the river, especially the 620 foot Multnomah Falls.
This morning, after arriving at The Dalles, we were happy to see the morning clouds lifting and leaving us with blue skies and glimpses of Mount Adams in Washington. We began our exploration of this beautiful area at the Columbia River Discovery Center, learning much from their new display on Lewis and Clark and the other exhibits on the Columbia River Gorge. From the Discovery Center, we took motor coaches up the winding, narrow and beautiful historic Columbia River Scenic Highway to the Rowena viewpoint. In 1916, when it was completed, the scenic highway provided early settlers with a "good" road to Portland. Now drivers can move much more quickly along Highway 84, just above river level. Fortunately, many sections of the old road are still open for those who wish to take a side trip, or even a walk.
After our stop at the Rowena viewpoint, many of us chose to explore the old highway on foot, walking a recently restored (for foot and bike traffic only) section through the Mosier Tunnels, admiring the views and the yellow leaves of the big leaf maple. Others chose instead to stroll the streets of Hood River to visit shops and historic buildings.
This afternoon we cruised through the Columbia Gorge, and got to experience firsthand some of the wind that makes Hood River the wind surfing capitol of the world. The afternoon sun made interesting lighting as we headed downriver to toward the Pacific. We passed through our final lock of the trip at Bonneville Dam and then with cameras in hand, enjoyed the views of several waterfalls on the Oregon side of the river, especially the 620 foot Multnomah Falls.
