Sunday, June 23 We started out late, 9:30, after a pancake breakfast in our campsite. Today was devoted to driving the Columbia River Gorge – partially on the Interstate, and partially on our old friend Route 30! Route 30 was bicycle and pedestrian the whole way, but only parts were open to auto traffic. It ran high above Interstate 84, and the railroad ran between Route 30 and I-84. It was a very narrow road with frequent stops to see waterfalls and jump on hiking trails. In the beginning we were able to get parking spots, but as the morning wore on parking lots were completely full with many cars lined up in inconvenient places to wait on a space to open up. We drove on. When we got to Vista House we were able to get a parking spot a bit down the road, walked back, and got some beautiful panoramas of the gorge. Vista House, completed in 1918 as a clifftop rest stop, observatory, and monument to Oregon Pioneers was a beautiful octagonal stone tower sitting high above the Columbia River. The next stop, Portland Women’s Oregon Forum, offered spectacular vies of the Vista House. ColumCThe last stop, Lewis and Clark State Park, was a day-use area with a trail and picnic area. After that, we finished the gorge and our westward trek on Old 30. But, Tom had a plan to extend the views; he crossed the river and followed Washington State Route 14 all the way back to our campground! On the way back we crossed the Columbia River on the Bridge of the Gods -- pictured previously. We enjoyed the campground for a couple of hours and then headed into Hood River for dinner. We found a Mexican Restaurant – the absolute best mex-food we had ever had . . . except that Tom’s was a little on the hot side!
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |