Hood River, Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam
Leaping waterfalls, verdant forests, sunny skies, a rainbow of dahlias, majestic Mount Hood, lackadaisical river cruising and jovial motor coach transits. Mix them all up and you have our day traversing on and riding parallel to the Columbia River. Starting with the treat of breakfast at the Hood River Winery, we gazed upon Mount Hood framed in the picture windows as we munched on lox and bagels. We had the option to walk to the Gorge White House for our next visit. Strolling through the vineyards and neighboring pear orchard we arrived in the “You Pick” flower garden surrounded by busy bees and dazzling dahlias. Pear wine was offered along with the fresh pears themselves.
Multnomah Falls leapt from the basaltic bosom of the Oregon cliff face, providing a dramatic backdrop in the “we were there” images captured by our cameras. Our navigation continued downriver as we met our ship at the historic Cascade Locks, their name originating from the Cascade Rapids now drowned and quieted by the lake created with Bonneville Dam.
Drifting from the lock chamber, the lyrics of “Roll on Columbia” by Woody Guthrie could be heard by fishermen on the river as we celebrated in song our last lockage of our voyage. Other historic markers traced our way downriver. Perched on Crown Point we could see the gleaming Vista House, Rooster Rock was a prominent shape silhouetted on the horizon, Phoca Rock and then Cape Horn were pointed out as was the Oregon nude beach being well used this sun-drenched afternoon.
Our day ended in a crustational frenzy as Dungeness crab satiated the appetites of our guests after a busy day exploring the wonders of the Columbia River Gorge.
