Columbia Gorge visit pure delight

Published 4:04 pm Wednesday, September 15, 2010

When is the last time you drove down the old historic Columbia River Highway, stopped at Multnomah Falls, or drove up to Vista House?

 Coming back from Salem after a hard day slogging in the Umatilla County booth at the Oregon State Fair (I have to confess that it was not slogging at all. I talked to all sorts of folks about Umatilla County and had a lot of fun), I decided to take the old highway and stop at the tourist spots that I have been telling people about all summer long.

 Driving into Troutdale they have a beautiful new metal sign, which reads Troutdale, Gateway to the Gorge as you enter town I stopped at the visitors center. The visitors center is located in an old house, transformed into a lovely, inviting place for visitors to Oregon. It was a cool building. Lots of room for brochures made me a bit jealous.

 The volunteer there suggested I stop at the Womens Forum scenic overlook so I could see Crown Point and Vista House from a different perspective. As I drove along the winding road, I was reminded of the many times I drove it from Portland as a young woman. It has been years since I took that route, and it was not quite what I remembered a bit more open than I recall. However, once I arrived at the Womens Forum overlook, I was stunned at how beautiful the Gorge is. There is a photograph in our welcome center of Crown Point from the overlook I snapped some shots on my camera of that same view. They did not turn out too badly, even if I do say so myself.

 While I was there, I asked a woman if she would take my picture. Her husband playfully sat next to me while they joked about my new friend. Mike and Jeannette were from Orange County and planned to drive east to Hood River or The Dalles. My welcome center hat went on and I advised them to cross into Washington from the Bridge of the Gods and then drive east on Highway 14 to The Dalles, where they could have an excellent meal at the Baldwin Saloon. I hope they had fun!

 At Crown Point, the wind was howling like a banshee at 40 miles per hour. I nearly was blown off the steps as I entered the building, it was so windy. The upstairs of Vista House was closed due to the high winds but that did not stop people from walking around the building and along the roadway to see the view. Even with the hazy skies, the vista of the Gorge was breath-taking. Beacon Rock stands tall on the Washington side of the Columbia, waiting for intrepid hikers to scale its heights; the river makes its lazy way towards the Pacific; the wind whipping everyones hair as they stood looking over the Gorge.

 As I drove east, I caught glimpses of other waterfalls Latourelle and Wakeena water tumbling down the side of the mountains along the Gorge until I came to the granddaddy of Gorge waterfalls Multnomah. The parking lot along the side of the road was jammed with cars, vans, motorcycles and even a couple of motor homes (I wouldnt recommend motor homes or trailers on Highway 30; the road is very narrow). Fed by underground springs from Larch Mountain, the flow over the falls varies. Usually its highest during winter and spring. A sight that still thrills me after all these years.

 Leaving Multnomah Falls was a bit difficult I remember so many times begging my dad to stop on our way to Vancouver, Wash., to visit my grandparents. I was 18 before I ever ate in the restaurant, and at the time, I could only afford the French fries. It probably isnt as expensive as I remember, but they still serve food at the beautiful stone lodge.

 Winding back to the interstate, I passed Horsetail Falls. Not quite as majestic as Multnomah but still just as pretty. The falls are shaped like a horses tail, and there is even a pool for wading or swimming under the falls. I am not sure I would venture into the water except on a 100 degree day, but it did look inviting.

 The next time you head to Portland and have a bit of time, take the old highway. Its Exit 35 coming from the east. It may be a slower ride but it is well worth the trip.

 Happy trails!

Karen Hutchinson-Talaski is the executive director of the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce. Email her at karen@umatillachamber.net.