Up The Gorge

I'm still smiling after spending last week with my son Eric who was visiting from North Carolina.  We chose Friday to drive up the Columbia Gorge and enjoy the beautiful scenery and interesting sights.

Early in the day, we visited Chanticleer Point, the Vista House, and Multnomah Falls. Even in the cloudy, damp weather, the views were spectacular.  As we drove along the Historical Columbia River Scenic Highway, we sometimes felt we were driving through a tunnel of lush green foliage.

Continuing east, we stopped for lunch at Bette's Place Restaurant, 416 Oak Street, in Hood River. My spinach quiche was excellent, and Eric said his clam chowder was better than Mo's.

As we drove toward The Dalles, the weather - and the scenery - began to change.  By the time we got to Biggs Junction, we saw more wind turbines than trees beneath sunny skies.

(click on this photo for larger view)

This dramatic change of scene is what I remember most about our day.  I wondered how the pioneers felt as they traveled west along the Columbia, through the changing weather, without the advantage of a smooth highway.  How fortunate we were to be riding in an air-conditioned car!