Last day in the Columbia River Gorge

[surfered]

First, a little geologic history of the Gorge:
At the end of the last Ice Age, an enormous lake in Montana broke through its glacial dam and roared west across the plateau and thru the Gorge scouring solid rock.

Eastern Columbia River Gorge



Hood River, OR seen from Underwood Mountain, WA

View of Mt Adams from a Mt Hood vineyard

Lavender

More Flowers

Heading to the Coast tomorrow.

[Kid Berwyn]

1. Thank you for sharing those.

Your photographic record of incredible beauty makes me want to drive there this minute. Wow!!!

[surfered]

3. I highly recommend it.

[Prairie_Seagull]

2. That drive in Oregon is particularly scenic

when one leaves the dryness of more eastern Or. Kid are you starting at Seaside on the coast? The drive to get there is another cool one, also paralleling the Columbia River. Not sure if the Rhodies are blooming but can also be magnificent.

Love the pics and geology.

[surfered]

4. Yes, headed to Seaside for the 4th by way of Astoria

The locals put on their own fireworks display before and after the City’s. It’s pretty incredible.

[MurrayDelph]

10. The first year after I moved to Astoria from Los Angeles

We went downtown early to stake out a good seat for the fireworks. Being from LA, we figured we'd have to get there by 4. We forgot that this time of year it doesn't get dark-enough for fireworks until after 9. So instead of just sitting there, we walked along the downtown, got some snacks and beverages, and went back to sitting for several hours. The crowds started showing up around 8:30, saw the fireworks, and left. Interestingly-enough, all fireworks were gone from the Safeway and Costco by the next morning, and someone in the neighborhood was visited by the constabulary when they found out that home fireworks become illegal after 12:01am July 5.

Now, about five-to-six weeks later, Astoria has its annual Regatta Week, which includes a fireworks display on the Saturday night. Having learned our lesson, we didn't go down to the River until around 7:30. We got good seats by the park behind the Maritime Museum. Unfortunately, the typical weather (especially along the Columbia River) was overcast, so the fireworks were fired into a solid cloud bank. We saw the bottom half of what sounded to be a really good fireworks show that year.

[Boomerproud]

5. The photos are stunning.

I can't wait to take an extended tour of the west someday. The aura just screams freedom.

[EYESORE 9001]

6. One of my favorite places on earth

Some 50 years later, I still reflect on how special it is.

[Trailrider1951]

7. Thank you for the beautiful photos! The last time I was traveling through the gorge

I was on Amtrak's Empire Builder train headed for Portland. The train splits in Spokane WA and part goes to Seattle and part goes to Portland. In fact, the train travels on that railroad track in your second picture. It goes through the gorge right along the river the last morning of the trip, with a stop in Vancouver WA before it crosses the river and the trip ends in Portland. I highly recommend taking the train instead of driving.

[LSparkle]

8. My artistic self was awakened on Bandon Beach in 1992

I always consider the Oregon coast my artistic birthplace. There’s a portal there where God spoke to me ... 😊❤️

[surfered]

9. Bandon is a very special place and will spend several days there later in the trip

[brakester]

11. Have a great trip!

I'm an east coaster who is green with envy!
Have enough fun for all of us!

[MurrayDelph]

13. There's a great independent book shop in Bandon

called WinterRiver Books that always has a large selection of signed books by my favorite SF writer (who happens to live in Bandon).

[surfered]

14. Go there every time. I imagine winters there are conducive to writing.

[snot]

12. Wow!

I've never been in that part of the country – gorgeous – thanks!

[MerryBlooms]

15. Sigh. I miss that part of my Oregon. Raised our sons there

Spent so many summers camping and hiking...
Sons are in Idaho, and I'm back in sw Oregon where I was born.
Left and lived many other places, but has come full circle.
Close to beloved Crater Lake, Umqua falls, coast... dunes, high desert.
I love my Oregon.

[Oneironaut]

16. So beautiful! I'm very jealous!

Hope it was / is a good trip!

[MustLoveBeagles]

17. Outstanding photos

The colors really pop.