{"id":4901,"date":"2023-06-27T19:09:11","date_gmt":"2023-06-27T23:09:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tubridy.net\/newblog\/?p=4901"},"modified":"2023-06-27T19:15:45","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T23:15:45","slug":"sliding-southeast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.tubridy.net\/newblog\/excellent\/sliding-southeast\/","title":{"rendered":"Sliding Southeast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Having scaled the summit, so to speak, we start our return trip after seven weeks on the road. Our next layover will be in Idaho, where I will visit a museum that was closed on our first trip in 2021. This will take us through the Columbia River Valley, the Blue Mountains, Oregon’s high desert, and then into Idaho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We left the Seattle area and drove south on I-5 to Portland. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
I-5 Portland Bridge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

For the next week, we will slowly head south and east on our way to southern Utah. The first segment will take us through the Columbia River Gorge. This would be a new experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could quickly begin to understand the awe of early explorers as I started my drive through the large valley with sheer mountains on either side\u2014a truly majestic feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Cascade Locks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We stopped for the night in Cascade Locks. This area features several sights, including the expansive Bonneville Dam complex.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Bonneville Dam Spillway. The two power-generating dams are on either side of the spillway and generate 1.2 GW of electricity.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The dam was built in the 1930s. A second power-generating facility was built in the 1970s. A lock on the Oregon side provides up to a 90-foot lift with a maximum length of nearly 700 feet. Awe-inspiring structures!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Cascade Locks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Cascade Locks was a much earlier set of locks located several miles upstream from the dam. They were built in the late 1800s to circumvent the Cascade Rapids. Before the construction of the locks, cargo needed to be portaged 5 miles to avoid the rapids.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Bridge of the Gods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Between the two sits the Bridge of the Gods. An impressive structure, it was built in the 1920s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We did a hike near the campgrounds on the river. The trail leads us out on a peninsula, offering great views of the river and surrounding mountains\u2014a beautiful spot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Columbia Gorge Waterfalls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are six waterfalls in the central part of the gorge. We saw two of them, starting with the best-known of the group Multnomah Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Multnomah Falls slow exposure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The lighting was perfect, with no shadows\u2014an incredibly picturesque location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upper Multnomah Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a moderately easy walk up to the Bridge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/a><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A gorge being formed; Oneonta Gorge was on the old Highway 30. It was a narrow and windy road that rose for a great view of the Columbia Gorge.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Oneonta Gorge along the Columbia River Gorge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There was a tunnel leading from the parking place to the view. Jake saw the light at the end of the tunnel \ud83d\ude33.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
\u2068Columbia River Gorge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Final stop at Horsetooth Falls before heading back to home base.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Horsetail Falls at Columbia River Gorge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On the way back, we stopped for a shot of the Bridge to the Gods in the morning sun.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Bridge to the Gods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

We broke camp late; we didn’t leave until almost 11 AM – a record for us! We enjoyed the stay at the KOA here, a charming, heavily treed campground with a great hot tub!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Cascade Locks KOA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The drive east took us through Hood River and The Dalles. The landscape changed rapidly from forests and granite mountains before becoming a high desert. The visual change for a short three-hour drive was astonishing.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
As we drove east, the landscape changed dramatically.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

Pendleton<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We arrived in Pendleton, and I traveled to the local dispensary. There must have been eight shops in this little town! Without a doubt, Oregon is the hippest state so far for Bud. I wanted to pick up some more fine Oregon herb before leaving the state tomorrow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I went by a colossal rodeo arena getting there. The budtender told me that Pendelton had the third-largest rodeo in the country every year. Other than that, not much else appeared to be happening! <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Pendleton looking south<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

We left Pendleton and did a very long, steep uphill in the Blue Mountains headed southeast. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Blue Mountains of Northwestern Oregon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

That eventually led into the Snake River valley. From there, along the Payette River to Boise. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Excellent Adventure in Northwestern Oregon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The weather was excellent, and the panorama was beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n