The Columbia River Gorge
Today we traveled from desert to rainforest in just a few miles. The light of dawn revealed the dry, brown hills above The Dalles, Oregon. Mount Hood stood majestically in the distance, overlooking the Sea Bird as we disembarked by Zodiac for Horse Thief State Park on the Washington shore. We boarded motor coaches and traveled to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, a museum which focuses on the fascinating history of the region. From there, we traveled along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway to the Rowena Crest Overlook. Some of our guests chose to sightsee and shop in scenic Hood River, Oregon, while others hiked along a restored portion of the highway to the Mosier Twin Tunnels. These tunnels, carved from solid rock by hand, contain portholes that allowed early motorists to view the Columbia River far below as they passed by.
We met the Sea Bird in Hood River and continued our journey downriver. At Cascade Locks, we again boarded motor coaches and traveled to Multnomah Falls. This spectacular cataract falls over 600 feet into a tranquil pond in the valley below. A light rain did not stop us from climbing the path to the bridge that overlooks the falls. From here, we observed the lush green hills on the west side of the Columbia River Gorge. We learned that rainfall often averages over 20 inches here, compared to just a few inches above The Dalles. Following our return to the Sea Bird, we passed peacefully through the locks at Bonneville Dam. Nothing stands in our way as we travel the remaining 145 miles to Astoria, Oregon and the mouth of the mighty Columbia River.
Today we traveled from desert to rainforest in just a few miles. The light of dawn revealed the dry, brown hills above The Dalles, Oregon. Mount Hood stood majestically in the distance, overlooking the Sea Bird as we disembarked by Zodiac for Horse Thief State Park on the Washington shore. We boarded motor coaches and traveled to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, a museum which focuses on the fascinating history of the region. From there, we traveled along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway to the Rowena Crest Overlook. Some of our guests chose to sightsee and shop in scenic Hood River, Oregon, while others hiked along a restored portion of the highway to the Mosier Twin Tunnels. These tunnels, carved from solid rock by hand, contain portholes that allowed early motorists to view the Columbia River far below as they passed by.
We met the Sea Bird in Hood River and continued our journey downriver. At Cascade Locks, we again boarded motor coaches and traveled to Multnomah Falls. This spectacular cataract falls over 600 feet into a tranquil pond in the valley below. A light rain did not stop us from climbing the path to the bridge that overlooks the falls. From here, we observed the lush green hills on the west side of the Columbia River Gorge. We learned that rainfall often averages over 20 inches here, compared to just a few inches above The Dalles. Following our return to the Sea Bird, we passed peacefully through the locks at Bonneville Dam. Nothing stands in our way as we travel the remaining 145 miles to Astoria, Oregon and the mouth of the mighty Columbia River.
