Cascade Locks, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Oregon
With “Beaten Rock” to the north and Bonneville Lock ahead of us we started our day in the Columbia River Gorge. The basalt cliffs wear the ornaments of dangling waterfalls, blankets of emerald forests, and today all was crowned with a sapphire blue sky.
After transiting Bonneville, we jumped onto our land-based day at Cascade Locks and headed for the crown jewel of the Oregon waterfalls, Multnomah. Some chose to gaze appreciatively from below, others strolled up to the footbridge and the adventurous trudged a mile up the switchback trail to the top.
Afterwards, a short voyage upstream brought us to the Hood River Winery. With a view bookended by Mount Hood and Mount Adams, we sipped the fermented fruits of the valley. A variety of local wines were offered as well as local cheeses to compliment the botanical offerings. The highlight of our gastronomical treats, chocolate-dipped local pears rolled in English toffee, sweet succulence to say the least. A stroll was in order after lunch, and we moseyed our way through the vineyard and pear orchard to the Gorge White House. We were captured by the charm of this old farmhouse and the dazzling colors of the dahlia garden. The pear wine was scrumptious.
The Oregon “Winery of the Year” for 2007 was our next stop. Cathedral Winery offered a stunning perch with a dazzling view of the river and tasty offerings from their cellars. Our host, Hunter, toured us through a portion of the vineyard and then invited us into the tasting room. Once again the fruits of Hood River were showcased and appreciated by our evermore educated palates.
A short stop in Hood River for a quick walk about town and then it was back to the mother-ship National Geographic Sea Bird to share our stories of the day.
