Not a Bad Way to Spend a Day Off...
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| Crater Lake, Oregon |
As Toby and I prepare to pack up and head to the city, I have to come to grip with the fact my time in The Gorge is coming to a close. I have thoroughly enjoyed being back on The Columbia River. After two years in The Rogue Valley, in Southern Oregon, and now a year and a half in The Gorge, we are leaving the beautiful and 'remote' areas of Oregon for the big city. (Details of this part of the story are long and better held for a later time. But no worries! It is ALL GOOD!)
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| View of Mt. Adams, Washington |
Over the past couple of months I have text-ed friends and posted Facebook photos with the caption:
"How'd You Spend Your Sunday?"
The pictures have been of recent hiking excursions and site seeing adventures. Truth be told, not all were taken on a 'Sunday'. But that's just a technicality. I was outside, experiencing nature and I WASN'T AT WORK! So who cares what day of the week it really was?!
There have been days searching for Baldies, seeking out new waterfalls, amazing Views, and with the coming of Spring the many Wildflowers.
Oregon, like much of this beautiful nation, has a multitude of amazing and beautiful scenes and locations that simply just need to be experienced. Whether you are 'on the move' or simply wanting to sit and soak it all in, Oregon offers it up. And for the person who can't just do one thing, there are those locations that require great effort to get to, just so you can sit and soak. I've written about and posted numerous Oregon/Washington photos in the past. If I duplicate a picture in this article do yourself a favor, acknowledge that it is such an awesome photo it deserved to be re-posted.
The city of Hood River, Oregon is an action packed little town with something for almost every outdoor enthusiast. Snow skiing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, kite boarding, wind surfing, hiking, biking, breweries, wineries, oh how the list goes on...... There is even a Touch Rugby Team, The Hood River Hammers.
A cool little town of approximately 7,000 people.... that increases to roughly 21,000 during the summer season. While there is plenty of outdoor activities as I mentioned, Hood River is primarily known for its wind. Yes, its wind; and thus during the summer the river is full of colors.
I moved to Oregon, the first time, 20 years ago in January of 1995. I had heard of wind surfing and had been told there was a place in Oregon that was known as "The Wind Surfing Mecca of the World". I visited Hood River just a few months after my arrival when I was invited to a wedding at the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Pretty cool wedding with wind surfers in the backdrop.
Over the last twenty years wind surfing has grown into big business. As you would imagine, wind is essential to the sport and The Columbia Gorge has plenty. As I write this the wind is blowing at a nice steady 18 miles an hour with an occasional gust well over 25-30 mph. Just to clarify, Tropical Storms have sustained winds of 39+ mph. Boarders from around the world will flock here during the summer months to "grab a little wind".
Click on photos to enlarge....
Whether it is wind surfing or kite boarding these folks are into the extreme. The gear is a wee bit pricey and the need for a wet suit a must....The Columbia ain't exactly warm water. My recommendation is simple. Grab a cooler, ice down a few of your favorite brew, spread out a blanket then kick back and enjoy the show.
Speaking of wind, and things that soar.....Did I mention there are Bald Eagles in The Gorge....
Yes, I am a fan of Bald Eagles. They have always intrigued me and when I finally saw my first one, I was hooked even more. With roughly 25 pairs living in The Gorge year round it is not unusual to see one on any given Sunday. But if you are wanting a guarantee then be sure to visit the area between Bingen, WA (just across the river from Hood River, OR) and Lyle, WA between December and March. A nine mile stretch along State Highway 14 that attracts the migrating Eagles. Perhaps it is because this stretch is between the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, both of which flow into The Columbia and are major tributaries for the returning salmon..... but I'm no expert.
Pick a Sunday, or any day for that matter, and as you drive this stretch of highway you will see cars parked along the road at different trail heads. There are numerous hiking and biking trails in the area and the crowds can get quite large. Interestingly is how few people are there to see the Eagles. I often wonder if many of the people even know they are there. Sometimes you just have to lift your head to the sky and open your eyes. You might be surprised what you see......
And sometimes while your driving.......
And open the sun roof.....
There have been days searching for Baldies, seeking out new waterfalls, amazing Views, and with the coming of Spring the many Wildflowers.
Oregon, like much of this beautiful nation, has a multitude of amazing and beautiful scenes and locations that simply just need to be experienced. Whether you are 'on the move' or simply wanting to sit and soak it all in, Oregon offers it up. And for the person who can't just do one thing, there are those locations that require great effort to get to, just so you can sit and soak. I've written about and posted numerous Oregon/Washington photos in the past. If I duplicate a picture in this article do yourself a favor, acknowledge that it is such an awesome photo it deserved to be re-posted.
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| View of Mt. Hood from Hwy 35 between Hood River and....well the Mountain |
The city of Hood River, Oregon is an action packed little town with something for almost every outdoor enthusiast. Snow skiing, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, kite boarding, wind surfing, hiking, biking, breweries, wineries, oh how the list goes on...... There is even a Touch Rugby Team, The Hood River Hammers.
Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall there is something to do outdoors. (Except a true understanding of the college football experience; these folks are too busy being action junkies to truly enjoy Saturdays in the Fall. Their loss...)
A cool little town of approximately 7,000 people.... that increases to roughly 21,000 during the summer season. While there is plenty of outdoor activities as I mentioned, Hood River is primarily known for its wind. Yes, its wind; and thus during the summer the river is full of colors.
Kites and sails everywhere.
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| Wind Surfing The Columbia with views of Mt. Hood and the Columbia River Gorge Hotel |
Over the last twenty years wind surfing has grown into big business. As you would imagine, wind is essential to the sport and The Columbia Gorge has plenty. As I write this the wind is blowing at a nice steady 18 miles an hour with an occasional gust well over 25-30 mph. Just to clarify, Tropical Storms have sustained winds of 39+ mph. Boarders from around the world will flock here during the summer months to "grab a little wind".
Much like traditional surfers, wind boarders check the weather reports to determine the best area of the gorge to set up for the day; and if the gorge happens to be quite one day...they just drive a short distance west to the coast.
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| The Hood River Bridge - Connecting Hood River, Oregon and Bingen/White Salmon, WA |
Click on photos to enlarge....
Whether it is wind surfing or kite boarding these folks are into the extreme. The gear is a wee bit pricey and the need for a wet suit a must....The Columbia ain't exactly warm water. My recommendation is simple. Grab a cooler, ice down a few of your favorite brew, spread out a blanket then kick back and enjoy the show.
Speaking of wind, and things that soar.....Did I mention there are Bald Eagles in The Gorge....
Yes, I am a fan of Bald Eagles. They have always intrigued me and when I finally saw my first one, I was hooked even more. With roughly 25 pairs living in The Gorge year round it is not unusual to see one on any given Sunday. But if you are wanting a guarantee then be sure to visit the area between Bingen, WA (just across the river from Hood River, OR) and Lyle, WA between December and March. A nine mile stretch along State Highway 14 that attracts the migrating Eagles. Perhaps it is because this stretch is between the White Salmon and Klickitat Rivers, both of which flow into The Columbia and are major tributaries for the returning salmon..... but I'm no expert.
Pick a Sunday, or any day for that matter, and as you drive this stretch of highway you will see cars parked along the road at different trail heads. There are numerous hiking and biking trails in the area and the crowds can get quite large. Interestingly is how few people are there to see the Eagles. I often wonder if many of the people even know they are there. Sometimes you just have to lift your head to the sky and open your eyes. You might be surprised what you see......
And sometimes while your driving.......
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| Baldy just hanging on the cliff overlooking The Columbia River |
And open the sun roof.....
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| Not sure if they were playing, fighting or.....well you know.... foolin round |
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If you haven't already read the article I posted previously about waterfalls be sure to take a look. It contains some photos from 20 years ago and are definitely my favorite. Here are some more recent additions to the waterfall collection. Several of these require a little effort to get to, and that makes them even more enjoyable.
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| Pony Tail Falls |
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| Pony Tail Falls |
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| Behind Pony Tail |
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| Where will go, what will we see...... |
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| View of Beacon Rock (Washington) and The Columbia River |
Eagle Creek is an incredible hike, in any weather. One of the amazing things is that there is more to see even after you reach Punch Bowl Falls. That's just a teaser!
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| Horse Tail Falls |
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| Punch Bowl Falls |
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| Punch Bowl Falls |
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| Punch Bowl Falls |
Now I know what you are thinking, hiking is an activity for the spring and summer. NOT ROUND CHEER! We hike regardless of the weather! Many of the hikes take on a completely different feel when done during the different seasons. The previous shots were this past summer, mostly. And while we had an almost non-existent winter this year we still got some snow and that makes for some fun hikes as well.
About 24 miles south of town on Highway 35 is a small little pull out with enough parking for a hand full of cars. One lone sign lets you know it's time to park and start walking.......it's what we did on Christmas Day...
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| In Search of Tamawanas Falls |
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Each trip out is exciting. You never really know what Mother Nature has in store for you. This time of year though it would be a safe bet to say that colors are on the list of things you will see. The following are just a few from our last couple of outings.
What ever you decide to do on your "Sunday" be sure to make it a FUNday. Get out, enjoy the sights and sounds. Experience it in all its glory.
Tomorrow for Mother's Day we are hoping to get out on the river for some SUP! Stand Up Paddle boarding!
How are you going to spend your Sunday........
as always,
bkd
"Anywhere is walking distance, if you've got the time." Stephen Wright
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Beautiful pictures!!! The only bald eagle I've ever seen was nesting at the Kennedy Space Center!! I have seen the windsurfers in the Gorge though, and they are awesome to watch. I've even been to the Columbia Gorge Hotel!! Mount Hood is a favorite spot - Timberline Lodge - "Here's Johnny.."!!
ReplyDeleteHere's Johnny! Love it! So many from around here have no f'n clue about that. Of course only the outside shots were filmed there but that's enough for a good story. Great Movie, Great Line, Great Location. Thanks Charlotte!
ReplyDelete