As I told you in the last post, we traveled from Idaho Falls to Pendleton, Or. on Day 5, and we were so tired from Day 3 and 4 that we did not stop to see much of anything on Day 5, so, that being said, I am picking up on Day 6. We left our hotel in Pendleton, Oregon around 10 am (since we only had 4 hours to drive today, we weren’t in a hurry to leave early), and drove toward Portland on 84. Just a little about Pendleton…..for those of you who are familiar with woolen wear, is the home of Pendleton Woolen Mills, they make beautiful woolen clothing and blankets as well as many other great things to wear or use in home or on the farm. Now, onto the exciting part of our last day on the great adventure. Before we get to the pictures, here are the facts… The Columbia River begins in British Columbia, its source being Columbia Lake, it flows 1,243 miles through BC, Washington and forms much of the border between Washington and Oregon. The Columbia is the largest river, measured by volume, flowing into the Pacific Ocean in the western hemisphere. It is the 4th largest River in North America. The river is the only one to pass through the cascade mountains, which it does between the Dalles, Oregon and Portland forming the Columbia River Gorge. 
The gorge is known for strong and steady winds, scenic beauty, and as an important transportation link. The river’s heavy flow, and its large elevation drop over a relatively short distance, give it tremendous potential for hydroelectricity generation. It is the largest hydroelectric power producing river in North America, with 14 hydroelectric dams in the United States and Canada. The river continues west, bending sharply to the north-northwest between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington, at the river’s confluence with the Willamette River. Here the river slows considerably, dropping sediment that might otherwise form a river delta. The Columbia empties into the Pacific Ocean just past Astoria, Oregon over the Columbia Bar, a shifting sandbar which makes the river’s mouth one of the most hazardous stretches of water to navigate in the world. (taken from Wikipedia) Above, one of the many Hydroelectric dams along the Columbia River in the Columbia River Gorge.
When we got to The Dalles, OR, we pulled off and went into the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center. We were greeted by a great little rock wall waterfall, and inside, as you see in the 
photos, there is a large foyer, with a huge Glass window to view the river and rocks of the gorge. You can also walk the path of the Columbia river 
in granite over their tile floor. (as you can see, Maddie caught on fairly quickly.) You can see in the photo, the glass window, and our 3 silhoutted kids checking out the view. After leaving the discovery center, we headed toward Multnomah Falls. As we drove further into the Gorge, the landscape began to change from High desert, dry looking hills, and rocks to Mountainous terrain, Tall pines and lush green forests, and I can’t forget, the sight of snow-capped Mt. Hood was breathtaking, but unfortunately, because of the haze, my photos did not come out so well. In the fall, when the leaves begin to turn, we are planning to go up to Mt. Hood valley, and Multnomah falls with my parents, so, we will post the great mountain then. But for now, back to the present. Before we had even ventured out, we recalled seeing a Travel channel special about the Gorge, and how it is known for heavy winds most of the time. And the wind becomes apparent especially when you get to Cascade Locks, OR. We stopped in Cascade Locks to get lunch, but also to take photos, of an amazing phenomenon….. people windsurfing and kite surfing in the Gorge. Yes, I did say windsurfing and kite surfing…. on the Columbia River. I am sure that it happens in other rivers…(maybe), but I have never seen it. At least, when you see kite surfers in Lake Michigan, it looks like the Ocean, so, it seems just so natural, but when you are in the Gorge, there are steep cliffs surrounding, and it just looks so strange. We even took some video of the kite/wind surfers (maybe I can get Tim to load it in the computer so I can share it with you all….maybe.!?, might be awhile) In the meantime, here are some photos.
After the Windsurfers in the Gorge, we ate lunch and got on our way to the waterfalls. Oh, 
something really cool, that I need to tell you in case you ever plan to visit the Gorge…… The waterfalls are BEAUTIFUL, and for the most part, except for Bridal Veil falls, you don’t have to hike anywhere to see them. They are right along the Old Hwy. 84 (scenic), and there are pull-outs along the way for parking. So, that being said, I didn’t want you to think I went to alot of work to get the following photos hee, hee, hee.
Of course we got out of the car and we were able to walk right up to the edge of the pool at the bottom of the falls, there are lots of rocks surrounding the pools, and as you know, if you have boys, they love to climb on rocks…. nedless to say, I had just got done telling Taylor that he better be careful, because he might fall in….as soon as I said it…. he fell in. (surprise!) 
The next waterfall we came to was Multnomah Falls. There is nothing I can say to convey the awe you feel, by being there (along with hundreds of other people) But, it is just like you are the only one there. Multnomah Falls is the 2nd tallest year-round waterfall in the United States…behind Yosemite Falls. It is really beautiful! I can’t wait to go back in the fall, when the trees are changing. The photos are of Multnomah Falls, and the view from the bridge. The next two photos are of Wahkeena falls. Next you will find a photo of the Falls at Sheppard’s Dell, and Sheppard’s Dell Bridge, which is really cool. There is not very much space to park, so you have to park on the side of a narrow road. Next to the Sheppard’s Dell Bridge there is a stone staircase that you walk down to get to the falls. It is a great little hike, not far at all, maybe 100-200 feet from street level down to the falls. 
Right about the time that we were on our way to see Bridal Veil Falls, Tim noticed that our car was leaking water…. Praise the LORD! I know, it seems a little premature to say that, but, we have made it almost 2700 miles from Michigan to Oregon, and we were only about 85 miles from our destination without a single incidence of car trouble. We were so very thankful to have made it this far! We arrived in Wilsonville, OR around 5pm, just in time for my porsche mechanic brother to have us leave our broken car at his shop, so he could fix it for us. (fortunately it was only a 4 inch hose that needed to be replaced.) We arrived in Monmouth, at my parents house at 9pm on Monday July 30. Tim unloaded the Uhaul trailer and we settled in for the night.
Well, we are so very happy to have shared our long journey with you….We have seen and experienced so many incredible sights, and if you are never able to make it to any of the places we have seen, we hope to have brought them to you in some small way. Our next post will be of Newport, OR and the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse on the Oregon Coast.
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