Columbia Gorge

Our drive today took us through the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. We travelled on a section of an old highway called the Historic Columbia River Highway. I had been told that it was a great drive and it was. The old section started with a side road that took us 14 miles up to the top of Larch Mountain. If the weather cooperates, you get a view of 5 mountain peaks. From the parking area we walked about a kilometre to the peak. It was early and there was still a fair bit of haze of some sort in the air. There have been quite a few fires in the area so that may have contributed to the conditions. Luckily, we were still able to see all of the mountains. 

This is what some of the climb looked like. Not too rugged, but pretty steep.

When we got to the top, I was wondering how high we were and saw this. The fences were a comfort to Marilyn as she worried that I might trip when I was looking at my camera instead of watching where I was walking.

This is Mount Hood. 

This shows some of the rock at the peak with Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

The road up and down the mountain was very curvy and steep. This tree apparently fell down and everyone just drove over it. It was a logging access highway so I guess things like this happen.

This sign was interesting because we watched a news segment yesterday about yahoos who are taking their assault rifles into the forests and shooting up trees. 

We also passed a number of areas where they were doing clear cutting of sections of forest. It's a very ugly thing to see. You can see bald spots on the mountains where they've been working but they seem to have to replant new trees at least. 

Back on the historic highway, we entered the gorge area and started to visit the waterfalls. There are quite a few to see and some involve more hiking than others. We visited most but didn't go to the biggest one because it was a complete zoo. You couldn't park and the whole area was covered in tourists. Here are a couple of views of the falls we did see. 

These first two are Latourel Falls.

This one is called Bridal Veil. I think there's a Bridal Veil Falls in any country with falling water!

The next two are from Wahkeena Falls.

After looking at the various falls, we started to drive towards our next hotel in The Dalles. As we passed a resort type place, I noticed a stern wheeled ship and remembered that a friend had mentioned taking a ride on the Columbia River. I made a u turn and pulled into the parking area at 1:57. The ship was due to leave at 2:00 and we barley made it on board. This is not our usual thing to do as most of our tours are planned and reserved. But, this worked out and we had a great ride on the Columbia River which is second in volume only to the Mississippi. (I listened to the captain's commentary). 

This is the Bridge of the Gods. The name had intrigued us as soon as we started seeing it on signs. It refers to the native name for a land bridge in the same area hundreds of years ago. 

There were lots of things to see on the river. This paddle wheel was the only means of power for the ship.

This was our ship.

We ended up in a town called The Dalles. I asked, and the name comes from the native words for water going over rocks. We walked around a bit and met a local woman who talked to us about the town for a good 20 minutes. It's always fun to connect with a local. 

And this is where we ended up for dinner. It was an old courthouse, built in the 1830s, that was the site of the last hanging in Oregon. It is now the Clock Tower Ales Restaurant. They had an amazing line up of craft beers on hand. The most shocking was the Hot Blonde Jalapeno Ale that I posted earlier. I've never had anything quite like it. We also tried a 6 beer sampler tray that had beers like Back in Black IPA, Tricerahops, Chocolate Stout and Tangerine Wheat to name a few. Notice the neat method they have of organizing your beers. It was good way to end the day. Off to Missoula, Montana tomorrow.