We took a 5-hour historical steamboat ride on The Columbia Gorge from Cascade Locks through the lock at Bonneville dam and down the Columbia River quite aways. We were able to see several of the waterfalls on the Oregon side of the river. The two eagles in the tree was an extra special treat. The Indians have the right to "dip net" fish from the Bonneville Dam back up river to The Dalles Dam. They don't use poles but "dip nets" and stand out at the far end of the platforms.

The first three pictures are of our steamboat entering the lock at Bonneville Dam going downstream. This was so neat to see how the process of a dam lock works. It only took about 10 minutes for the water to be removed from the lock, then the gates opened and we were down to river level.





Now we are re-entering the lock to go up to lake level.

A barge carrying grain exiting the lock at Bonneville Dam heading towards Portland. This barge is carrying enough grain to fill 85 railroad cars or 120 semis. There is 13 feet of the boat hull under water. The maximum depth allowed is up to 15 feet under water as the channel is only 20 feet deep. By using barges there are less semis on the road and less railroad cars.






Beacon Rock - A famous landmark for the Lewis & Clark Expedition. A former owner of the rock built steps and ladders for people to climb to the top of the rock with lots and lots of switchbacks. Chris and I will pass on this venture.



A view from the river showing 4 levels of roads (not on top of each other)
From lowest to highest - railroad crossing, scenic highway 30, historic road which is now used as a hiking trail and Interstate 84.

Just had to show you these pictures of the beautiful flowers at the fish hatchery. The groundsperson does a remarkable job.

Bonneville Dam-Columbia River

The Bonneville Lock and Dam, built and operated by the U.S. Army Corp of engineers, was the first federal lock and dam on the Columbia River. Construction began in 1933 and dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt on Sept. 28, 1937. Fish ladders were also incorpated into the dam design to allow the salmon and steelhead to migrate. The fish ladders are quite sophisticated...the fish can jump the ladders or take the easy way and just swim through the bottom of the ladders. Fish counts are conducted daily through fish viewing windows, which helps biologists track increases and decreases in fish runs.



Fish viewing window

This is "Herman" a 10 ft. 65 year old steelhead trout who lives in the fish hatchery adjacent to the dam.

Astoria Bridge connecting Oregon and Washington

This is quite a bridge. It is built extremely high on the Oregon side to allow for ships and barges to enter the port below but then drops down like a rollercoaster on the Washington side. They no longer charge a toll fee to cross on the bridge as the bridge is paid for.

The Oregon Trail Along the Columbia River

We visited the site where the Oregon trail pioneers and families caught their first glimpse of the Columbia River. The wagon ruts are still visible on this one steep hill which we walked to the top of to see a pioneer camp in a small forested area with a running spring.

The pioneers crossed the Deuschuttes River at the spot it entered the Columbia River.The river was so deep that the wagons were floated across and the animals swam.

The Dalles Lock and Dam:

The brochure we picked up about this dam on the Columbia River showed that tours were conducted daily. We arrived promptly at 9:00 am to find that they stopped the tours 3-years ago - duh! Then why don't they change the brochure. 10 other people arrived after us and were quite angry that the Army Corp of Engineers has brochures that with inaccurate information. Oh well.....government.

Anyway.....The Dalles Lock and Dam is 192 miles upstream from the mouth of the Columbia River. The dam is 1.5 miles wide from the Oregon to the Washington shores with the major part of the dam being in Washington due to following the original center of the river as the boundary(just like the Colorado River between Arizona and California).

The dam has a navigation lock, spillway, powerhouse and fish passage facilities on both sides. Power production is the name of the game with this dam. The dam was built in 1957.



The following two pictures are of fishing stands projecting from the cliffs. The first Indians to the area fished this way and the tradition continues even now.

The Fruit Loop

This driving and shopping loop is out of Hood River, Oregon and is approximately 35 miles from start to finish. The scenic drive leads you through the valley's orchards, wineries, lavender fields, forests and farmlands. Many of the orchards are u-pick.

We stopped at the Lavender Valley Lavender Farm and walked through the lavender field. This farm makes oils, lotion, bath salts, soap and creams for sale.




Very funny Chris!

Apple Valley Country Store - numerous varieties of jams made from local fruit.
This area produces one of the largest pear crops in the country.

Historic Columbia River Highway (The Columbia River Gorge)

The highway was dedicated in 1916. With intricate stonework, graceful bridges, access to numerous waterfalls and hiking trails, it was heralded in its day as one of the greatest engineering feats of the modeern age. Clinging to cliffsides, the picturesque twisting two-lane highway reaches back past cascading waterfalls, roams out on sheer outcrops for breathtaking views of the Columbia River. This is the most beautiful historic road we have been on. The beauty is undescribeable.


View of Columbia River and the Vista House.


Vista House (originally a rest stop along the highway - downstairs is three times as large as the top).

Latourell Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

The dogs drew a crowd of adults and children at one of the waterfalls wanting to pet them and asking all kinds of questions about them (maybe I should have put a plate down for donations!!!!!!)