06 August 2014

Eastward Bound: Columbia River Gorge, Part I

It was truly a last minute decision that found Aimee,
Aimee's youngest son
and the Small One
headed eastward one warm summer morning.
Destination:
Utah!
Want to come along?
 
 
Taken in the beautiful lush western portion of the Columbia River Gorge--
an area my pioneer forefathers would have been quite familiar with as they traveled the so-called 'river route' (albeit westward) to their new home in Oregon.
 
 
Lots and lots to look at in this area:
trees, mountains, waterfalls, great rock formations
and always the river,
 with its windsurfers, sailboats, barges and more!
It truly is the one of the most beautiful places in Oregon and Washington.
 
 
As you travel westward, the terrain becomes increasingly drier.
 
 
The trees change too and become the type you would expect in a drier, more desert like terrain that you find east of the Cascade Mountains.
 
 
I probably should mention you pass by some towns on this route:
Cascade Locks
(home to the sternwheeler Columbia Gorge that you can travel on from May to October)
Hood River
(very famous for windsurfing and orchards),
The Dalles
(near where the once beautiful Celilio Falls was...
before it disappeared forever under the waters impounded by one of the three dams we would pass)
and some other small communities like Mosier (yummy apricots to be found here) and Biggs.
 
 
Overall though it's pretty desolate...
but, in its own quiet way, interesting.
 
 
More later...
 
Blessings,
Aimee
 
Links of Interest:
Cascade Locks Info (sternwheeler and more)
Columbia River Gorge Visitor Info
Hood River Tourist Info
 
 

14 comments:

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Looks like a lovely route- mountains are my favorite! Even the rugged rocks are beautiful.

Linda W. said...

Yes, the Gorge is my most favorite place in Oregon! Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

Lorrie said...

Beautiful glimpses of your road trip. Truly a lovely part of the world.

Betsy said...

Ahhhh! The route I know SO well from my many, many drives to and from Spokane to Portland. I love the changing scenery which turns once again into green mountains as you reach Spokane. It IS pretty desolate for quite a stretch in the high desert.i look forward to your next installment!
Blessings,
Betsy

aimee said...

@Terri~
The western section is quite beautiful, both from the main interstate and from the historic highway above. Mountains are my favorite too:) And I agree about rugged rocks--love them:)
Blessings,
Aimee

@Linda~
Yep! It sure is a beautiful place for sightseeing and hiking! You would like the canyons in Utah also. My son and other family did a hike up to one of the caves there. Pretty special from what I heard:)
There'll be more as I get time to upload photos.
Blessings,
Aimee

@Lorrie~
Thank you! I am glad the photos show the areas beauty despite being shot through the car windows of a moving car--LOL.
I agree--lovely!
Blessings, Aimee

@Betsy~
I bet you do know this route! I agree it's so desolate in the high desert. I had to really look for beauty there, being more used to our west coast green.
Next installment soon...I hope. Today was one of those really challenging ones:)
Blessings,
Aimee


My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Beautiful drive.

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Hi Aimee funny that you should mention mosquito bites. My dad got a whole bunch just the other day when he was out walking me early one morning. They bit his hand and arms - itchy like crazy so we know how you feel. Who knows - maybe lasering would help but my laser person won't be back for 2 weeks and the worse of the itchiness will hopefully be gone by then.

aimee said...

@Sam~
It truly is -- at least in my fav part:)
I have empathy for your dad! You're right about the itchiness being gone soon---but it would give me an excuse to visit beautiful Canada again:):)
Blessings,
Aimee

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

The Columbia River gorge area is gorgeous! We enjoy going there! Hope you have a great trip! Can't wait to see your photos!

aimee said...

@Becky~
I LOVE the western part of the Gorge too! Posting more photos soon. Have a BLESSED weekend Becky!
Blessings,
Aimee

Louisette said...

Very beautifull place, greeting from Belgium

aimee said...

@Retriever~
Thank you! I wish I could have taken some photos of the beautiful waterfalls in this part of the Gorge for you to see, but alas my son was in a big hurry because it was such a long trip.
Thanks for your visit and comment.
Blessings,
Aimee

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You can almost see a line between hood river and the dalles where western Or ends and Eastern begins. You can really see it from the air too...when you fly over it.

aimee said...

@Sallie~
I believe it! Such a huge change in the environment. It is pretty amazing to see :)
Blessings,
Aimee

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...