Rowena Loops: West of The Dalles, Oregon
In the diffused light of early morning a darkened silhouette of Horse Thief Butte signals our arrival in The Dalles Basin. As we slowed for the locks at The Dalles Dam, the sun added a tinge of pink to the morning sky. The autumn blaze of color along the river was just coming to life.
After a generous breakfast we started our day exploring the courageous journey of Lewis and Clark at the Discovery Center at Crates Point. From there we followed the Historic Columbia River Highway up the recumbent Rowena Loops (see photo) to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the eastern portion of the gorge. The rest of the morning was filled with walking, hiking, and shopping; something for everyone.
The early afternoon found us cruising toward Cascade Locks. Although low clouds hugged most of the ridge tops, we still could see much of interest from our superb observation vessel. By the time we docked at Cascade Locks, Mother Nature had lowered a thick blanket of white over the river. The first rain of November came next. Our spirited group boarded buses and ventured on the old highway to visit some of the gorge's classy waterfalls. Horsetail Falls, Oneonta Gorge and finally Multnomah Falls greeted our guests with serenity and their own special beauty. It was this beauty that Sam Hill, the father and motivator for the Columbia River Highway, used to promote this historic engineering masterpiece. He once said, "We will cash in, year after year, on our crop of scenic beauty, without depleting it in any way." Maybe Sam Hill's vision provided fuel for another legislative piece of art, The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Act, which continues to protect the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge today.
As a group of guests and I start down from the top of Multnomah Falls under darkened and rainy skies, I wonder if members of the Corps of Discovery were able to enjoy the beauty of this special place. I also wonder who was responsible for starting their campfires in the rains of early November.
In the diffused light of early morning a darkened silhouette of Horse Thief Butte signals our arrival in The Dalles Basin. As we slowed for the locks at The Dalles Dam, the sun added a tinge of pink to the morning sky. The autumn blaze of color along the river was just coming to life.
After a generous breakfast we started our day exploring the courageous journey of Lewis and Clark at the Discovery Center at Crates Point. From there we followed the Historic Columbia River Highway up the recumbent Rowena Loops (see photo) to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the eastern portion of the gorge. The rest of the morning was filled with walking, hiking, and shopping; something for everyone.
The early afternoon found us cruising toward Cascade Locks. Although low clouds hugged most of the ridge tops, we still could see much of interest from our superb observation vessel. By the time we docked at Cascade Locks, Mother Nature had lowered a thick blanket of white over the river. The first rain of November came next. Our spirited group boarded buses and ventured on the old highway to visit some of the gorge's classy waterfalls. Horsetail Falls, Oneonta Gorge and finally Multnomah Falls greeted our guests with serenity and their own special beauty. It was this beauty that Sam Hill, the father and motivator for the Columbia River Highway, used to promote this historic engineering masterpiece. He once said, "We will cash in, year after year, on our crop of scenic beauty, without depleting it in any way." Maybe Sam Hill's vision provided fuel for another legislative piece of art, The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Act, which continues to protect the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge today.
As a group of guests and I start down from the top of Multnomah Falls under darkened and rainy skies, I wonder if members of the Corps of Discovery were able to enjoy the beauty of this special place. I also wonder who was responsible for starting their campfires in the rains of early November.
