As I look back at the past 10 anniversary trips, somehow our trip to the Columbia Gorge seems to stand out. Essentially, the trip was a result of our constant wish to fulfill several items in our bucket list. You see, the Columbia River slices directly through the Cascades Mountain range. Geographically speaking, it's a unique place that funnels water from 7 different states including British Columbia as it makes its journey to the Pacific Ocean. Although we had driven through the Columbia Gorge on multiple occasions, it was time to make it our destination.
We began our trip on Wednesday, the day before our actual anniversary. Traci had taken the day off from work to pack and prepare our stuff since I was unable to take more than two days from work. As a matter of fact, Traci picked me up from work at six and we immediately began our journey west. At 9pm we arrived to our highly anticipated anniversary suite at the KOA that included an asphalt slab with a picnic table... How romantic don't you think? It was so romantic that we were all a bit chilly while we ate supper since we were not allowed to have a campfire at our campsite. Actually it was more romantic that I slept in the back seat of our Cherokee and Traci slept with the kids in the roof top tent also known as the top bunk.
The following morning we got an early start to our day. Since we wanted to enjoy every aspect of the Columbia Gorge, we decided to begin our adventures by heading to Troutdale and driving on the old road as much as possible. This also gave us the opportunity to visit the historic Vista House and the numerous waterfalls. Actually, we had lunch at Cascade Locks Marine Park which is only about 2 miles from our campsite. So you can say that we took the 60 miles scenic route?
A ride on the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler was our main event for the weekend. Taking a cruise had been in our bucket list for years and we were excited to enjoy a leisurely boat ride along the river. I feel that it's hard to grasp the immense geographical uniqueness of the gorge without taking a trip on the Sternwheeler. It's easy to undermine the difficulty of traversing this area since we have tamed the land with the Interstate Highway System and the creation of dams. Traveling by land presented mountain passes with steep drop offs and down below the unforgiving cascading river yielded no comfort. I was amazed to see how not only the old highway was built on top of a train tunnel but the eastbound traffic on the new highway was built directly between them. Simply astonishing! It's a vertical transportation sandwich. Consequently, a bridge was built around the mountain for the westbound traffic!
I can go on about geographic and historical facts, but let's talk about my family instead. While we were on the cruise down the river, the Captain invited Ben and Joey to become Honorary Captain and maneuver the ship. Obviously, the Captain was in control the whole the time but they were able to gradually steer the boat in open water. This was also the first time that I allowed Ben to take pictures with my camera, so most pictures of me are taken by him.
To end our anniversary day celebration, we headed back west toward Multnomah Falls to enjoy a small hike. Traci and I switched carrying the kids off and on and the kids had a blast! It's always fun to see the waterfall especially in the middle of the week when the crowds are small. That evening we had supper at our campsite and the kids quickly collapsed that evening. Once they were asleep, Traci and I took our cruiser bikes for a ride around the neighborhood. Somehow, the bike ride stands out on the trip. We didn't see anything exciting, perhaps the ability to enjoy a quiet moment with my best friend is special in itself.
On Friday we began our day by heading to The Dalles and visiting the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. I love how the museum begins with the creation of the Cascade Mountains Range and gradually explains the history of gorge and it's vital importance for life in the Pacific Northwest. The museum also had a scavenger hunt for kids so they can look for random items through out the museum. Because let's be honest, you couldn't pay me enough to visit a museum as a kid but a scavenger hunt? Sign me up for an annual membership!
Once we were done visiting the museum we decided to cross the bridge at the Dalles and head back on the Washington side. It was about lunch time so we stopped at Chamberlain Lake rest area and enjoyed a sunny warm picnic overlooking the river before continuing on to the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson, WA. We were hoping to step inside the F9A locomotive but unfortunately there was a wasp nest hear the door and some things are just not worth it when you're trying to have a good time. Fortunately, the kids still had a great time with the other displays like the indoor waterfall and the train play set outside the museum. The interpretive Center is a bit of a hidden gem along the gorge since it's not along the main highway. Anyhow, you would think that two museum in one day would be enough activity for us but you would be wrong. Actually, who even reads this blog? So who would be wrong? Who am I talking to?! Wow things are getting out of hand quickly... Moving on... We visited the fish hatchery at Bonneville Dam to finish our day. Herman the Sturgeon was still there slowly doing laps and the rainbow trouts were all eager to enjoy free snacks from the people who are willing to pay 25 cents to feed them. Finally to end the day, we spent the evening walking around Thunder Island and learning about the old locks.
On Saturday we packed up our campsite and visited the Mosier Tunnels on the old highway. This section of the old highway is open to bicycle and foot traffic. It was a steep uphill climb from the parking lot but the kids didn't mind the hard work of sitting in the trailer. We were all excited to walk around the tunnels and see the interstate and river down below. Initially, we were hoping to ride from Hood River to Mossier on the old highway but maybe next time. Afterwards, we visited the Western Automotive and Airplane Museum in Hood River and let the kids enjoy the play area while we got to see a few new cars. Once the kids got worn out from playing, we enjoyed some snacks before heading back to the museum's play area.
That afternoon we visited an apple farm in Hood River and picked some amazing Honey Crisp before heading off to The Dalles to spend the night at the Cousins. We had visited the restaurant a few years back and made sure to get the full experience on this trip. The kids with Traci enjoyed the pool and I joined them afterwards in the hot tub. We ordered some homestyle supper from the restaurant and enjoyed watching a movie while filling up on some delicious food in our room. We were lucky to reserve one of the newer rooms beside the pool and they are well furnished, felt cozy and well designed.
On Sunday morning we packed up the Sport and treated ourselves to an amazing breakfast at Cousins before driving around The Dalles and noticing that maybe next time we will visit Fort Dalles. Once back on the road, we crossed the Sam Hill memorial bridge in Biggs and visited Stonehenge. We let the kids run around and release some wiggle before replicating a picture from our honeymoon, 10 years ago. It's a different Jeep in the pictures but still a reliable and loyal 4.0 under the hood.
Somehow this post took me almost 4 years to post. I could use the excuse that life has gotten busy but clearly, I have run out of steam. It's with my best intentions that I wish to keep up with this blog since these are the best days of my life... (I'm looking at you, Benny and Joey.) As I re-read this post and look at the images, I notice that each picture tells a story that will eventually (in time) be lost to history. From the kids holding umbrellas to us standing in front of the Jeep, each picture carries a flashback, a story, a fun memory of how lucky I am to call these 3 individuals my family.
In case anyone ever wants to recreate our 10 anniversary, here was our agenda.
Sept 12
Traci Took Day off from work
Drove to Cascade Locks
Camped at KOA
Sept13
Drove to Troutdale
Visited Vista House
Ate Lunch at Cascade Locks Park
Boarded boat at 12:30
Visited Multnomah Falls at 4:30
Had Supper at Campsite
Short Bike Ride after kids fell asleep
Sept 14
9:41 Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Drove back west on Washington Side
Had lunch at Rest Area
1:39 Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center
3:45 Bonneville fish Hatchery
6:00 Visited the old locks at Cascade Locks
Sept 15
Packed up our stuff and left Cascade locks
8:38 Bike ride to Mosier Tunnels
11:25 WAAAM
2:00 Visited farm Hood River
5:30 Played in Pool at Cousins
Spent the night at Cousins
Sept 16
6:00 Breakfast at cousins
8:00 Drove around the Dalles
Drove to Biggs - crossed bridge to Washington side
9:30 Stopped at Stonehenge for pictures
Drove on Washington side as we headed home.
