Green at last!

As previously noted, the western portion of Oregon, even along the Columbia River, is quite arid. This 20000 sq ft mansion was built by Sam Hill for his bride. She took one look at the location, and refused to move there. . . it's since been an art museum. As they say, if momma ain't happy, no one's happy.








Yet less than two hours away, here is what you have!

(Click on picture to enlarge it)

The Columbia Gorge is an amazing vista, made all the more spectacular by the contrast between the eastern and central portion of the gorge. The above picture is from the "Women's Forum Overlook". The small white building in on the bluff in the middle of the above picture is "Vista House", a 4-story monumental visitor's building on the old highway (I-84 can be seen running down by the river.)

Below are the 4 of us at Multnomah Falls, with the water dropping a quarter of a mile from the cliff edge.

Between Fall River, OR and Portland is the Bonneville Dam. This happens to be a great place to see the fish using the "ladders" for migrating up river past the dams. Bill got some wonderful pictures of salmon as they move through the ladder to spawn up river. It was one of those places where you could have stood watching to the point of hypnosis. Just really a neat experience.









Of course, if there is anything more fun than watching the fish migrate, it is having a fine fish dinner. At the Multnomah Falls Lodge, Bill and I had a great lunch of smoked salmon, melon, pineapple, grapes, cheese, and fresh-baked bread.

Last night we settled into Portland Fairview RV park, and Matt and Rachael came out for cocktail hour. Today we head for Portland proper for some sightseeing.