Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Columbia Gorge



The "Mighty Columbia" as the river has been described in song is a bit calmer then when Lewis and Clark first encountered it or settlers tried to navigate it on their way to the fertile Willamette Valley. These days it's been tamed by dams. If you head out east on I-84 from Portland, in no time you find yourself in some of the most beautiful scenery (in my mind) you'll see anywhere! Especially the part of the river gorge that includes the Cascade range. This photo, shot by Wendy Dunder inspired me to babble on about one of my most inspirational  places. Taken recently during a bit of stormy weather, it really conveys the majesty of this part of the Pacific Northwest.





You'll spot 620 foot Multnomah Falls within a half hour out the Gorge from Portland. My photo certainly doesn't do it justice...





The town of Hood River, about an hour East has world class windsurfing, Mt Hood ski areas in their back yard, and wonderful fruit orchards. The scenery changes at this point. You'll find yourselves in a much drier landscape. Head on out of Hood River to The Dalles where you can make a stop at La Petite Provence, you deserve it, after all, you've been in the car for about an hour and a half  hyperventilating over the scenery. That will burn some serious calories!











10 comments:

  1. I see you can have a second career as a photographer! That is one of the best pictures I have seen of the beautiful Columbia Gorge.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Helen, isn't it a beauty? Wendy Dunder took it and sent it to me the other day. When i saw it I knew I wanted to blog it! There's a link to her website above. She is extremely multi-talented!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I see it now! So she is the talented one - just kidding! I will let her know that her photo is wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Betsy you are bringing back wonderful memories of my times living and soaking up this beautiful part of the world. However, I have never been to that patisserie. Don't think I would forget that visit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lois, it wasn't around when you lived here. just another reason to come back for a visit! (3 Portland locations as well...)

    ReplyDelete
  6. We went to the falls while we were in Portland. How beautiful. We didn't go any further east...but drove on the scenic route that also takes you up to the octangular building....can't remember the name of it right now, but I do have pictures!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rose, the old highway is so beautiful. It was built as a WPA project, just like Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood. You saw some very beautiful scenery! Crown Point is the building you visited.

    ReplyDelete
  8. yes! crown point and I love the architecture of that building, it had a very Art Deco feel. There was a museum person there that was dressed like Teddy Roosevelt. We didn't make it to Mt Hood. We also visited the Pittock Mansion....how splendid. I want her sewing room for the view! I got lots of pictures but still haven't moved them to smaller, blog files.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I hope you saw the mansion on a clear day. I have a good friend who is a Master Gardener and she volunteers there working in the gardens. Interesting to fantasize about what it must have been like to live there. Someone else would certainly clean it for you!

    ReplyDelete