Waterfalls Along Historic Highway 30

Joy in looking and comprehending is nature’s most beautiful gift.

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Monday rolled around and we figured it was time to show Steve a Carol a few waterfalls.  The Oregon Gorge is home to about 77 of them along the old highway.  However, not all of them are accessible without a good hike back off the road.  Some of the waterfalls can be found a short distance from Historic Highway 30.  A few are right along the road. Vehicle pull-outs are usually pretty full in the summer and on the weekends.  However, this was a Monday and we figured it would be a good day to go.  Besides, they were only about 30 miles from where we were parked.

I've taken this trip down the old Columbia River Highway in the Gorge to view the waterfalls several times.  It's amazing that when we were actually living in the area, we never really took the time to do this.  Oh, we visited the biggest and the most famous one of all  - Multnomah Falls -- but that was about the extent of it. We just had not taken the time on the old highway to visit any of the other waterfalls. We had to wait until we moved to Texas to get our interest peeked.

Maybe it was because at that time we realized how much we missed all the scenery we had taken for granted while in the Pacific Northwest.

I've taken my grandkids on this outing twice -- flying in from Texas with them and off we went. Once they were quite young and we enjoyed the time together and the activity. They pooped out several times on the mile hike up the hill at Multnomah Falls though but finally made it.  Thank goodness several benches were strategically placed along the trail.  When they were a little older, they got a little bored with all my adventuring to view yet another waterfall but we still had fun together  --  memories in the making.  By the time we got to the last waterfall, I remember one time they didn't even want to get out of the car.

This time we stopped to visit 4 or 5 of the waterfalls but we also let Steve and Carol know there are many more to visit if they want to do a return trip.  On the way back into town we also made a stop at the Vista House.  The house sits on a hill above the Columbia River.  It’s a beautiful place to visit.  Lots of marble was used in building the Vista House.  It has marble floors, marble staircases and marble restrooms.  The views are absolutely gorgeous.

Afterwards, we literally drug them to check out another quad trailer with us.  Thank goodness for GPS units or I’m sure we never would have found the place.  As it turned out, it was a wasted trip because it just would not be a good replacement for the trailer we currently thought was ideal.  It was a long trip and a long day but at least they got to see the waterfalls.  I think we tuckered Steve and Carol out because on Tuesday, they hid from us.

  

Our quad dilemma?  Well, it’s still a dilemma and I’m not sure how to make it go away.  We decided by Tuesday afternoon we didn’t want to think about it anymore for that day.  Will this delay our departure south?  It could.  Thank goodness we are flexible with our schedule because that’s exactly what we’re going to have to be. 

We did pay for a couple more nights at the Elks but plan on moving out on Thursday.  After all, our tanks are only so big and there is no dump here.  We have decided to only allow ourselves to worry about one thing a day so we’ll worry about moving on Thursday.  On Wednesday we’re going to worry about getting new tires for the car.   We will also probably make a trip to measure and photo the trailer because we just might decide to go ahead and sell it. We won't worry about it though.  The worry about the quad trailer is going to have to wait.

Ever notice how the little worries make $$$ add up?