I booked two weeks at the Columbia River RV Park – not only to take care of some “city errands,” but also to hunker down in a location with a reservation to ride out the holiday madness of the Fourth of July weekend.   It is a rare treat for me to have a weekend in between work weeks where I don’t have to reposition the Winnie.   Two whole days with no driving required, so what do I do??   Take a road trip! 😉

At the top of my list of “Things to do in Portland” is explore the Columbia River Gorge. As the boundary between Oregon and Washington, this eighty mile scenic stretch of highway runs the alongside the Columbia River through the gorge walls reaching up to 4,000 ft, passing a dozen waterfalls, abundant vineyards and orchards, and venues for all things related to water sports.

I want to see it all, both on the Oregon side as well as the Washington side.   But an 80 mile road trip with so many places to stop along the way is a bit aggressive for a day trip.   So I throw together an overnight bag with the bare essentials, grab my maps and brochures, and get an early start, in spite of the ubiquitous Portland drizzle that has been hanging around all week.   At least maybe it will mean more water in the waterfalls.

It feels a bit odd to be stowing the Winnie to leave her for a weekend. I haven’t spent a night away from her since my New Years trip to Mexico. But as I have said before, this is “living,” not “camping.”   And if I were still in a stix and brix home, I wouldn’t think twice about going away for a weekend. In fact, it was always one of my favorite things to do.   This recollection brings on even more excitement, as I pull away from the RV Park for my weekend adventure.

Oneonta Tunnel, near Oneonta Gorge along Old Columbia Gorge Highway. Tunnel had to be built because railway owned the land around the rock.

Indian Pipe, also known as “Ghost Plant.” Since it has no chlorophyll, it is parasitic getting its energy from nearby trees.

I decide The Dalles will be my turn around point, as the scenic drive ends here. But I have no reservations.   I go online and see an abundance of hotels from Motel 6 to fancy historic inns, so I decide to take my chances on finding a place to overnight.

After a brief stop at the Camping World in Troutvale (no sales tax, remember?) I turn off onto the Historic Columbia River Highway, considered a National Historic Landmark.   I quickly realize my overnight bag was a good idea, as there are so many turn-outs and scenic overlooks along this stretch of highway, I couldn’t possibly cover it all in one day.

Vista House, Crown Point, built 1916.

Vista House on Crown Point offers the most renowned of gorge views, built in 1916, and considered to be the “Crown Jewel” of the gorge.   Samuel Lancaster, design engineer of the highway envisioned this rest stop and observatory to be a place where the gorge “could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite.”   Unfortunately, the throngs of tourists make the “silent” part near impossible, but the views are spectacular.

Latourell Falls, 249 ft, amidst example of columnar basalt.

When the “recreation reserve” was created, much of the land was donated by philanthropists.   Crown Point State Park is one of these places, as is nearby Latourell Falls, (249 ft.)   But the most famous of these dedicated scenic spots is Multnomah Falls. The 300 acre park was donated by philanthropist Simon Benson, for which they named the pedestrian-only Benson Bridge, built in 1914 over the pool between the upper and lower falls.

Portland’s famous Multnomah Falls, 620ft. Benson Bridge crosses at mid-point.

Weekend traffic jam on Multnomah’s Benson Bridge

Multnomah Falls at 620 ft holds the disputed claim as being the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation.   I decide these waterfall hikes will be the perfect place to stretch my legs and get some exercise, and no better way to get my heart pumping than the 2.2 mile series of 11 switchbacks at 550 ft elevation gain to see the top of Multnomah Falls.   Although I had hoped this steep climb would separate me from most of the weekend crowds, it still looked like an ant highway all the way to the top. Fortunately, the trails to the other falls, though not as dramatic, were much quieter.

View looking down from the overlook at the top of Multnomah Falls, across the train tracks to the Columbia River.

Rowena Crest and the Rowena Loops offers another scenic vista, and fun drive through the graceful S curves all the way from the top of the gorge to the river. As I near the end, I notice a sign for “U-pick Organic Cherries.”   I have never seen cherries growing before, let alone picked any.   I decide it would be fun to just have a look, and maybe pick a pint or two of cherries.

Looking east up river from Rowena Crest

Fun, graceful S-curves of the Rowena Loops

I approach the “office,” a converted Airstream to ask about the process, and the woman says “Okay, grab a bucket, and let’s get you harnessed up.”   I say “A HARNESS? I don’t think I will be needing a bucket, let alone a harness!   I just want a pint or two. Don’t you have something smaller?”   She tells me, “Well, a harness will make it easier when you climb the ladders.”   This is getting complicated. “LADDERS? I don’t think I will be climbing any ladders!”   But before you know it, I am up in the tree having more fun than I ever could have imagined, on the top rug, reaching for the biggest of clusters.   There are a couple of nice women from Portland picking in my same tree, and they are telling me of all their favorite haunts in Portland, so I want to keep talking…..and picking…..and talking….and picking.    Before I know it, I have somehow managed to pick six pounds of cherries!

After exploring the Hood River area, known for its extreme water sports such as windsurfing and kite boarding, I make a stop at the Bonneville Dam to view their fish hatchery, established in 1909 which has several viewing windows beneath the surface where fish can be observed.   I particularly want to see the Sturgeon viewing center, as these are the largest freshwater fish in North America, growing up to 12 feet long, weighing up to 500 pounds.

Bonneville Fish Hatchery, est. 1909

The Sturgeon Viewing Tank has an interpretive kiosk with viewing windows beneath the surface.

Terrible picture, but mighty impressive sea creature!

Sundown is now approaching quickly.   And since we are only a couple of weeks after the solstice, that means it doesn’t get dark until bedtime. I pass a few inns on my way to The Dalles, and nervously observe their “No Vacancy” signs. No problem, I think. There are plenty of hotels and motels in The Dalles area…

To be continued.

Bridal Veil Falls

Post Office at Bridal Veil, OR, where brides-to-be come to postmark their wedding invitations.

Wakeena Falls, 242 ft

Horsetail Falls, 176 ft.