Jun 28, 2012 - More of Hood River

We will be leaving this area tomorrow so David wants to buy some salmon today. We drove to Cascade Locks, where the young Native American girl was a few days ago, but she is not there today. Not to worry, there were several other people there ready to sell fresh caught salmon. David bought 3 salmon at $4.00 pound, but he had to filet them. Still that is less than half what it costs in the supermarket. They are very nice sockeye salmon and the meat is really red. We drove on to Portland, but on the way we saw a Camping World, so of course,...

Jun 27, 2012 - Mount Hood

. I don’t think I have mentioned that in Oregon you are not allowed to pump your own gas. There is an attendant at every gas station and he/she does it for you – what a great idea. Think of all the people that employs. They will even wash your windows! Today we are off to the Mount Hood Loop. We have been able to see Mt. Hood from most places around Hood River because it is so high. Most times there are clouds all around it, but today it is sunny and beautiful – the best day in Oregon so far. Our first stop was Panorama Point. To the north...

Jun 26, 2012 - Historic Columbia River Highway

Today we crossed over the bridge into Oregon and drove up I-84 along the Columbia River. Our first stop was Cascade Locks. This area is one of the oldest towns on the Columbia River. Lewis and Clark described it as the great rapids of the Cascades. It was a stretch of raging water more than two miles long. Because of the dangerous rapids, pioneers moving west had to stop here and a small settlement grew on the banks of the river in the early 1850’s to help the pioneers portage around the rapids. The locks are no longer visible because when...

Jun 25, 2012 - Columbia Gorge OR

The weather is definitely different here. When I watched the weather on tv this morning, it showed all clouds and the weather guy was talking about what a nice start to the day it was. It was 57 degrees and cloudy and the expected high was low 60’s. Time to get out the long pants again! We are doing another scenic drive today, but much shorter than previous ones. This whole area is considered the Columbia River Gorge. We just noticed that we can see Mt. Hood across the river, sticking up in the clouds. It is 11,250 ft and is part of the...

Jun 24, 2012 - Oregon

Another travel day, but at least it is a short one. We moved on to Hood River, Oregon. The drive here was much different than yesterday. We started seeing more and more pine and fir trees and we started seeing steep slopes on both sides of the highway. Eventually, as we moved north we were following the Columbia River – the interstate follows right along side the river. We were surprised by how wide the river is and how pretty it is – I guess when you are used to seeing the Mississippi it surprises you when you see a clear river. We saw...

Jun 21, 2012 - Hope, BC. to Hood River, OR. , USA

Today we drove from Hope, BC. to Hood River, Oregon. We stopped and bought gas a mile or two after entering Washington state. HoRay! Gas was only $3.93 a gallon. The first time I paid less that $4.50 in Alaska or $5.11 in Canada. After buing our gas in a few miles we were on interstate 5 headed for Seattle, Washington. I felt like I was driving an eighteen wheeler though town on the interstate. We stopped at a rest area south of Taccoma, Washington for a break and a short nap. When I woke up it was 81 degrees and was I warm. Since the dash...

May 26, 2012 - Day Trip: Hood River, OR

We need to rest. After sleeping in, we attend a pancake breakfast here at the park. Other than that, we just lounge around all morning. In the afternoon, we drive fifteen miles to Hood River. We ride the Mt. Hood Railroad Wine Train. At 2:00, there is a wine tasting at the Springhouse Winery in Hood River. Wine is served in “The Ruins”. The speaker is impressive. He speaks about the different kinds of wine they are able to grow in the region. I cannot believe the difference in rainfall from The Dalles to Cascade Locks. The Dalles is desert....

Dec 15, 2011 - The Trip to Hood River, OR

As one can see by the photos, the drive to Hood River yesterday was something less than exciting. I had to take my opportunities where I could find them!! The weather was, well, just plain ugly - and a little depressing. The scenery in most parts was not that terrific - but in other parts it was quite lovely. The weather, however, did a pretty good job of hiding things from view. Even after we came over the crest and could see the Hood River below - it was through a heavy overcast, preventing any decent photos. The drive seemed to take...

Sep 12, 2011 - Memaloose State Park near Hood River, OR

Our immediate plans call for an extended stay of about a week at the Salem Elks RV Park but we needed a place in between Pasco and Salem. Where to stay for a few day? Well, why not one of our favorite places – Memaloose State Park that is close to Hood River, OR and has views of the Columbia River? And, that’s what we are going to do. We could only get reservations at one of the “good” sites for three nights. Our 150 mile drive was along I-84 and it is fun to watch the scenery change from desert to mountains with trees. If you are...

Aug 16, 2011 - Day 77 - Trip to Hood River

We started the day enjoying breakfast at the cafe at camp. The cafe is done in a fishing theme. The carved fish is at the end of yesterday's pictures. We then headed west to the Bridge of the Gods to cross into Oregon to go back east. The destination was the WAAAM(Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum). Beautiful view of the Columbia as we traveled west along I84. We found Hood River, cute city, but we didn't stop until we found the museum near the airport. The museum was recommended the last time we were in the area and was the...

Jul 15, 2009 - The Dalles and Hood River

I know I've said it before but I have to say it again - this part of Oregon is gorgeous! What a ride today to The Dalles ( pronounced like pals) and then to Hood River. I84E followed the Columbia River all the way - the river, the mountains, the huge fir trees are stunning. The absence of trash and billboards ( or anything commercial) was so refreshing until exit 62 - a big tourist area. Once we got past those Hood River exits, it was back to nature only this time the firs and cedars were replaced with a dry rocky landscape. Twenty more...

Jul 14, 2009 - Columbia River Gorge

Without floating the river, perhaps the best way to see the Columbia River Gorge is to drive the Historic Columbia River Highway. Samuel Lancaster’s engineering prowess designed the road that was Sam Hill’s dream. Of course, the road has been upgraded and resurfaced a time or two since 1915, but the stone walls and historic bridges (now covered with moss) are still here for us to enjoy. I’m sure Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery would have given much for a road in 1805 when they passed this way. Although the skies were very...