Friday, June 23rd – Sunday, July 2nd
Timberlake RV
Campground, Happy Valley, WA
After leaving Oregon, we drove eastward toward the Columbia
River Gorge National Recreation Area. We
drove through Portland, and made a wrong turn… ugghh. Had to drive through some
side streets to get back on the interstate. After leaving the Portland area, we
were both surprised to get views of Mt. Hood on the south side and then Mt.
Adams to the north. WOW, they are so high we could see them many miles away. This
central Washington location along the Gorge is filled with amazing mountainous,
rocky landscapes on both the northern Washington side and the southern Oregon
side. The drive was on the Oregon side, until we reached the Cascade Locks and
crossed over the Bridge of the Gods in Washington. This is an historic river
crossing as described by Native Americans as a gift from the Gods. “Scientists
believe that about 1,000 years ago, a giant landslide from the north shore of
the Columbia River blocked the Gorge and stopped the river’s flow. This natural
dam created an inland sea in eastern Oregon, Washington, and into Idaho. Over
time, water eroded the dam and created an awesome natural stone bridge.
Eventually, this bridge fell, creating the Cascade rapids.” After the area was developed
by pioneers, the current modern bridge was built. This area along the Columbia
River is also historic as the Lewis & Clark Expedition followed the river
towards the mouth and the ocean. After crossing the river our campground was
just a few miles away up in the Washington mountains and forest.
After arriving and setting up camp, we gathered some
information on local events and recreation. There just happened to be a Brews
& Blues Festival that weekend. On Saturday, we headed about 3 miles west to
the Skamania County Fairgrounds. We enjoyed the music and beers; yes, I
actually tried a couple of craft brews. Not too bad for a non-beer drinker! With
three more days to explore, we mapped out our activities. The next day we drove
along the Oregon side to the waterfalls area. We hiked back to a couple of the
falls, but at most trailheads there was no parking. The crowds were thick; but
then again, it was Sunday. We didn’t
even get to stop at Multnomah Falls, the premier waterfall that didn’t require
a hike. Oh well, we did see it as we drove by. Another day, we hiked along a
beautiful trail on Dog Mountain. We took the dogs as they needed to get out and
play. The trail was very steep, with four miles of uphill climbing. Kody and I
turned around at the two mile point, Kurt and Luca continued to the peak. The
pictures and the views were amazing, wish Kody and I could have made it. On our last day there, we did a day trip back
south in Oregon to Mt. Hood National Forest to get a closer look at the mountain.
The dogs also went with us to explore. What a beautiful, scenic drive. We crossed
over into Oregon at Hood River, then headed south through a gorgeous green
valley, filled with orchards and vineyards. We were able to drive around Mt.
Hood and closer to the base on the south side. This side has two ski resorts,
which at this time were not operational. There was still a lot of snow on the
mountain, but not enough for skiing. We had a great time in this part of the
Gorge, was looking forward to moving eastward in Washington.
Beach RV Park, Benton
City, WA (Tri-Cities area – Richland, Kennewick & Pasco)
Our plan was to head eastward to an area called Tri-Cities
in southeast Washington. We were immediately surprised as we left the Gorge and
found the landscape was changing into the “high desert”. We had no idea that
Washington had desert. Even though the desert was all shades of brown/tan,
the landscape was filled with green agriculture (anywhere they could irrigate).
There were vineyards everywhere on sides of mountains and in valleys. There
were also other crops; including onions, hops and wheat. This whole area had so
much agriculture and there were sprawling new housing communities. In the
Tri-Cities is the location where the Yakima River and Snake River converge with
the Columbia River. We were fortunate to stay in a very nice, small RV park
that was right on the Yakima River.
We decided we had to get the kayaks on the Yakima, as we
hadn’t had many kayaking opportunities recently. So we found put-in and take-out locations.
We were able to paddle right out of a boat ramp across the road from the RV park,
then take out at a local park 11 miles downstream. Kurt had arranged an Uber
driver to pick him up at the take out, where he left the truck before we paddled. This allowed us
to take our time on the river, with our truck waiting for us at the end. Even
though we were on the river, the scenery again was desert, with green along the
riverfront. The water was not too clear or clean, so we didn’t really get in
the water. Oh well, at least we go the kayaks wet!
There were some mountain biking trails nearby in the desert
hills, so Kurt decided he would get some exercise. I chose not to go, as the
weather was getting hotter by the day. He did ride to the top of a local peak
with great views of the valley. The trails were surrounded by our much hated “tan
spear grass”, which we had encountered in California… same stuff!
Our last day there, we drove around the area, crossed the
Columbia River and picnicked on the riverfront. The boys enjoyed the day with
us also. The Columbia was beautiful and full of boaters, both motor and kayaks.
It was nice to relax in shade on a hot day. Now we were ready to head to Idaho and
spend the Fourth of July in Coeur d’Alene on the lake.
