East Columbia River Gorge

A pale glow in the eastern sky heralded a new day. Traveling upriver, we approached an especially notable portion of the waterway. Opposite the mouth of the Deschutes River is Miller Island and a deep channel called “Hellgate”. We chose to cruise between the dark basalt cliffs on either side through this narrow channel. On our left side a thousand foot tall rock wall, and on the right an island that was home to Indian people for thousands of years.

Since becoming part of the National Scenic Area this island has not been accessible to the public. As we travel close to its shore we sense a feeling that we are a part of the long history that has unfolded here. On its shores native fishermen have beached their cedar canoes. They have caught salmon and dried them for winter. They have built their shelters against the cold winter wind. They have buried their fathers, and grandfathers upon these slopes.

Times have changed some things on the river. Dams changed the river level. Highways and railroad tracks have run along her shores. Yet this morning in the quietness of this place, many things have a timeless quality to them. We welcome the new day.