Bend, OR

I have always been fascinated by the steep canyons & largess in which Columbia River resides; the barge boats that pass through occasionally and the wheel house boat , where as a kid I was intrigued by the fact that the large wheel on the back of a boat propelled this boat forward; the myriad waterfalls and extravagant views that I see in the 14 miles that I normally travel.Columbia River itself is a 1200 mile river spanning 7 states (not including Canada) from Canada to Oregon and is the largest in the Pacific Northwest and flows into our Pacific Ocean. The majority of the Oregon part of the river is nestled within a deep canyon providing extravagant & exceptional panoramic views. Many people, when gazing upon the river have no idea that it’s tributaries include rivers such as the Snake River in Idaho, the Yakima in Washington and the Deschutes River in Central Oregon are just a few. Also when the sea surges at high tide it affects the river 100 miles upstream. The Columbia has a very active history in fur trapping & trading, with Celio Falls, up river on the Columbia, being it’s main port. The Hudson Bay Company, Northwest Fur Company & The Pacific Fur company used this main trading area as their home port in Oregon. Our state name of Oregon originally came from here by a man from Wisconsin though then it was spelled Ouragon. The reason for the change in spelling is unknown to me and if you try sending a postcard printed with the original spelling of our state, generally it comes back as there is no longer a state spelled in its old form.

As we travel down into the Cascade Locks we come to the marina and the Bridge of the Gods, just a few miles inland of the ocean. The Bridge of the Gods is the only toll bridge in Oregon and provides access to Washington State. The name comes from Indian legends when a landslide resulted in a natural dam from Oregon to Washington. The man made bridge that now exists is not the original bridge of the gods. Here at the Cascade Locks you can also board the Stern wheeler and enjoy sightseeing amid this great paddle wheel boat where you enjoy the 360 degree view as well as a lunch or dinner. Many weddings and reunions are also held here on this river faring vessel. Personally my kids just love being on the ship and I actually relax in my hectic world.

Moving on down the road for a different view you come to the vistas high above the Columbia River starting w/ Vista House. Vista house is a unique & beautiful round museum that sits high upon a cliff and is filled with spectacular views and rich with history of the area to include the Chinook speaking Indians, parts of the Lewis & Clark trail system, the fishing industry and gallery showings of local artists. Even if you are not interested in history, visit this little gem as it is gorgeous in it’s architecture as well as the views it provides. I love it at night when it is lit up although I have no picture of it.

After a visit to Vista House, a bit farther down the road, towards the end of my 14 mile trip lies several waterfalls. The access to these falls can be started at the Vista house. The kids and I drove to the end of the line of waterfalls and started there. Multnomah Falls being our first visit. This is a renowned waterfall in Oregon for it’s height & beauty. While we didn’t walk the mile up to the top of the falls, we did go to the halfway point and rest upon the bridge. We wandered around, ate 8″ round cookies from the vendor and explored the lodge which houses a complete restaurant overlooking the Columbia River. From here we traveled the road back towards Vista and made a visit to each waterfall. Bridal Veil falls actually looks like a bridal veil from a virginal bride and in it’s double stepped splendor and mossy surroundings, it was quite a sight and personally I enjoyed Bridal veil more so than Multnomah. Also for the adventurous types hiking to the base of bridal is feasible.

As we move on down the road to Wakeena falls I was more interested in wandering through the woods like a wood nymph as I am so partial to all the moss and the views from different perspectives from where I stand. Now Wakeena Falls has the double bowl, similar to Tokatee Falls and I have this wild urge to hike up to the bowl. This will be a most difficult challenge but it looks as if it can be done. My kids call me crazy but I love these areas.

The last waterfall we saw was Latourell Falls. At first I wasn’t impressed but when I took a second look I realized that this fall was a little unique as it falls over a cliff instead of tumbling down over the face of a mountain side, lending itself the option of the caves that naturally form behind falls such as these, and not many falls in Oregon do that.

Now keep in mind I hate the rain, any form of it but once I get over here among all the beauty I am like the rabid hunter, seeing as much as I can in what ever time is allotted for me. It is I who gets wet and has to urge the kids out of the car. I feel like a new person once my hiking is done, almost like a high of nature.

There is so much to see that has been packed into this 14 mile trip that expect it to take a couple of hours. I appreciated the fact that anywhere I stood in the area of wandering, that I stood amid many ghosts of the past and in wonderment & amazement almost felt transported back to a time before. It wasn’t all that long ago the settlers & Indians were here, the fishing, trapping, and orchards being planted. Today the Columbia River is still a source for fishing as well as skiing, sailing & swimming.

This whole area is located on I-84 near Portland in the upper NW corner of Oregon. To get there from Bend see the following Mapquest directions. Once you get to the Crown Point Hwy you will have the 1st option of viewing the Cascade Locks and the stern wheeler and then up to Vista house and down through the waterfalls. http://www.mapquest.com/maps/bend+or/corbett+or/