Columbia River Gorge
Last night we went to bed with the weather forecast in our ears; eight inches of snow was being predicted for our destination of Hood River! As we disembarked in the town of The Dalles for a quick motor coach ride to the Colombia Gorge Discovery Center, the first glistening flakes began to fall. Arriving at the Discovery Center, however, we soon forgot everything but the Columbia River and its many layers of history. Gathering in the spacious main hall, we received an interest-sparking introduction to the many exhibits featured at the Center. The Discovery Center presents the cultural, natural, and human histories surrounding the mighty Columbia River in an engaging manner. Wandering through various displays, we learned about the creatures that call the river and its banks home as well as the native people who have looked to the river for centuries for their physical and spiritual livelihood. Interactive exhibits focusing on the Corp of Discovery allowed us to examine what their supply caches would have looked like as well as the goods traded with the native tribes encountered along the river.
Upon leaving the Discover Center, our intrepid group agreed that a few flakes of snow would not stop our adventures; we “proceeded on”! Grateful for our skilled bus drivers, we wound our way up a hairpin section of the historic highway, marveling in the change of scenery in just a few short miles. Where we had just left desert-like conditions, each mile west we traveled brought us more and more green. Stopping at Rowena Crest, we were afforded breath-taking views of the Columbia Gorge. There we separated into two groups; Historical Trust lecturer John Meffert would lead us through Hood River’s historical downtown (and shopping, of course!), and those who opted to walk and bike along a section of the historic highway near the Mosier Tunnels. Traveling along a golden carpet of leaves, those who explored the Mosier Tunnels enjoyed spectacular views of the Columbia far below. The light snowflakes seemed to create a shimmering curtain around us. Keeping eyes open, we watched for the birds and foliage that thrive along the river.
Returning to the Sea Lion, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, and stocked up on energy—our day was hardly over! We cruised along the gorge for a few hours, then Captain Kalbach neatly docked us at Cascade Locks, where we hopped on the motor coaches for another breathtaking excursion, this time to visit Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. We walked along the base of the falls, watching salmon make their way against the stream. Continuing up the path, climbing higher than the redwoods, we reached a bridge that spans the fall’s pool. Plunging 620 feet from the basalt cliffs, Multnomah Falls is quite spectacular. Native legend holds that the falls mark the place where a young maiden leapt from the cliffs in attempt to protect her tribe from a horrible sickness. It is said that the mist forming off the falling water takes the maiden’s shape. Ice crystals were forming along the edges of the falls, lending the water a silver sheen as it splashed and tumbled into the pool below.
Returning once more to the Sea Lion, we were greeted with a bountiful fruit tasting. Our Hotel Manager Judie had visited local orchards during the day, bringing back some of the areas finest fruits, cheeses, honeys, and mustards to sample. Later in the evening, sipping on Floyd Kevin’s “Multnomah Mixers” in the lounge, the words “magical” and “mystical” were heard describing our day.
Last night we went to bed with the weather forecast in our ears; eight inches of snow was being predicted for our destination of Hood River! As we disembarked in the town of The Dalles for a quick motor coach ride to the Colombia Gorge Discovery Center, the first glistening flakes began to fall. Arriving at the Discovery Center, however, we soon forgot everything but the Columbia River and its many layers of history. Gathering in the spacious main hall, we received an interest-sparking introduction to the many exhibits featured at the Center. The Discovery Center presents the cultural, natural, and human histories surrounding the mighty Columbia River in an engaging manner. Wandering through various displays, we learned about the creatures that call the river and its banks home as well as the native people who have looked to the river for centuries for their physical and spiritual livelihood. Interactive exhibits focusing on the Corp of Discovery allowed us to examine what their supply caches would have looked like as well as the goods traded with the native tribes encountered along the river.
Upon leaving the Discover Center, our intrepid group agreed that a few flakes of snow would not stop our adventures; we “proceeded on”! Grateful for our skilled bus drivers, we wound our way up a hairpin section of the historic highway, marveling in the change of scenery in just a few short miles. Where we had just left desert-like conditions, each mile west we traveled brought us more and more green. Stopping at Rowena Crest, we were afforded breath-taking views of the Columbia Gorge. There we separated into two groups; Historical Trust lecturer John Meffert would lead us through Hood River’s historical downtown (and shopping, of course!), and those who opted to walk and bike along a section of the historic highway near the Mosier Tunnels. Traveling along a golden carpet of leaves, those who explored the Mosier Tunnels enjoyed spectacular views of the Columbia far below. The light snowflakes seemed to create a shimmering curtain around us. Keeping eyes open, we watched for the birds and foliage that thrive along the river.
Returning to the Sea Lion, we enjoyed a delicious lunch, and stocked up on energy—our day was hardly over! We cruised along the gorge for a few hours, then Captain Kalbach neatly docked us at Cascade Locks, where we hopped on the motor coaches for another breathtaking excursion, this time to visit Multnomah Falls, the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. We walked along the base of the falls, watching salmon make their way against the stream. Continuing up the path, climbing higher than the redwoods, we reached a bridge that spans the fall’s pool. Plunging 620 feet from the basalt cliffs, Multnomah Falls is quite spectacular. Native legend holds that the falls mark the place where a young maiden leapt from the cliffs in attempt to protect her tribe from a horrible sickness. It is said that the mist forming off the falling water takes the maiden’s shape. Ice crystals were forming along the edges of the falls, lending the water a silver sheen as it splashed and tumbled into the pool below.
Returning once more to the Sea Lion, we were greeted with a bountiful fruit tasting. Our Hotel Manager Judie had visited local orchards during the day, bringing back some of the areas finest fruits, cheeses, honeys, and mustards to sample. Later in the evening, sipping on Floyd Kevin’s “Multnomah Mixers” in the lounge, the words “magical” and “mystical” were heard describing our day.
