Travel Tales: Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

The Columbia River is a geographical marvel, and is also the Pacific Northwest’s primary transportation port. Breaking through the basalt volcanic rock of the Cascade Mountains, the river carved its intricate series of cliffs and caves. With over 10,000 years of recorded history, you can’t miss the legacies of the region’s American Indians. Additionally, Lewis and Clark’s expedition thorough the gorge is etched in various landmarks, museums and road signs.

More often than not, we traveled in almost complete silence, captivated by our natural surroundings. Ordinarily, I’m not a proponent of the behavior known as “Sunday driving,” however it’s entirely appropriate on this road—almost essential—in order to absorb the gorge’s beauty.

When we found driving less than 35 miles per hour wasn’t slow enough for us to take in our surroundings, we halted at one of the many rest stops along the way to get a better view. For some reason, I had a fascination with salmon, and often begged to stop at the ladders of Bonneville Dam, which eventually became our primary pit stop. Others in my group preferred to rest at Crown Point Vista House, famous for its panoramic views.

Though merely observing the land wasn’t enough; we had to engage it. On one particular day we moved from spectators to participants, interacting with the surroundings by hiking through musky grottos and trails leading to one of Oregon’s most famous waterfalls: Multnomah Falls.

It didn’t take long to realize that summer is the perfect time to hike the Eagle Creek trail, since there are many opportunities to “cool off.” I longed to see the Punchbowl, probably because its name represents exactly what it is—a retreat flanked from above, with water crashing down into a bowl. The brisk water seemed so inviting after a long hike and a quick dip always did the trick, even though my record for being totally submerged is a mere 38 seconds.

As my siblings and I grew older, our family’s Sunday night exploits down the gorge roads dwindled. My jaunts continued, however, even if they were few and far between. My friends and I explored new hiking trails and recreation activities, particularly those where we could make the most of the winds that whipped down the canyon halls. Kite boarding is a great activity for this, and for our rebellious spirits, biking on the roads and off the beaten path allowed us to literally go against the wind. Although this area is all about playing and experiencing landscape, it also lends itself to total relaxation.

The lush land and relatively cool climate are perfect for growing wine grapes, and charming wineries are scattered throughout the area. Since the whimsical McMenamins Edgefield Hotel is a short drive from Portland, we spent our lazy days there, watching movies, learning about medium bodied brews and watching their summer concerts on the lawn—there is something extraordinary about sitting under the starry sky, and breathing in crisp air while listening to live music.

If driving down long and winding roads, drinking fruity Pinot Noir and cultivating your adventurous side aren’t your cup of tea, alas, there’s always “the boat float,” known to many as The Sternwheeler ride. On the boat, all you have to do is show up and the scenery will come to you.