Category: Outings

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East Gorge Road Trip

On this road trip to the East side of the Columbia River Gorge was to see some new places and visit to old spots and see how they have changed. Visiting several places on a wonder of the East side of the Columbia River Gorge. Lori, Jeanette, Sylvie and my self started off at the new Mitchell Point Tunnel to experience the wind tunnel effect it can have. Next was lower trail at Catherine Creek to see the late season flowers. We then drove through the Schreiner Wildlife Farm a new place for Sylvia. The initial plan was to do a short hike at Dallas Mt. Ranch but we found the big flower show was over so we moved on to see the petroglyph gallery, some then else new for Sylvia. Finally some thing new for me we did a wine tasting at Sunshine Mill. We finished up with lunch at the Bargeway Pub where I had a wonderful coco stout from Sunriver Brewery.

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Columbia Gorge Wander

We missed a turn and ended up wandering to places in the Columbia River Gorge. Its good to be flexible and to have a good knowledge of the Gorge. So first visit was to the new tunnel at Michel Point. Then we crossed the river at Hood River. Then stopped in at Spring Creek Fish hatcher to see the little fishies. Then off to see the Camas in bloom at a lesser known spot. Then on to Whistle Punk trail. We finished up at Backwoods Brewers for lunch.

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Outing to The Valley

This time Lori, Jeanette and I were out for a road trip to explore some spots in the Willamette Valley. Lori wanted to go to show us Bauman Farms and have lunch at Clancy’s. I came up with a couple of more places to fill out our trip. The planned was to go to Hughes Water Gardens, Bauman Farms, Church or the Holley Ascension, Samuel Brown House, Powerland Heritage Park and Clancy’s. Over lunch Lori decide she wanted to show us one more spot so we went to Ales Garden. It pays to be flexible on these outings.

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Hike to Mitchell Point Tunnel Dedication

A different kind of hike. Today was the official dedication of the new Mitchell Point Tunnel, part of the Historic Columbia River Highway restoration. To make it more interesting I decided I would hike part of the finished and still in progress sections of the highway to the tunnel. I started at Starvation Creek State park to avoid the crowds at Viento State Park the official parking spot. I was surprise to run into Ted from the Rambles who had the same idea. Ted brought his bike and hoofed it over to Mitchell Point. The dedication had some nice trapping with dignitaries like congressman Peter DeFazio who helped get federal funding for the project. After the waiting and speeches we all gathered to enter the tunnel after the ribbon was cut. The most interesting part was feeling the change of mood as this mass moved into the tunnel from daylight and into total darkness a sense of panic. We all just stumbled along until we go light from the first window. After going through and back on the tunnel it was time to hike back to my car. Total walking distances out and back 10.5 miles.

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An Outing to the Coast

A Trip to the Coast. On this trip Sylvia, Mark, Lori and I went over the Astoria Bridge to Washington and visited Dismal Nitch, Middle Village & Station Camp, Fort Columbia, and North Head Lighthouse. Afterwards we went for a late lunch at Bridgewater Bistro.