Portland | Columbia River Gorge | Day Trips | Lava Beds National Monument
PRELUDE
We've officially made a thing of taking off for week+ prior to Memorial Day weekend, which is prime shoulder season for road-tripping.
Spending a chunk of time in the town of Hood River, Oregon, had been in our list of travel destinations for a while. This year we'd initially planned to head to Santa Fe, New Mexico, but after some back-and-forth we opted to head north for cooler temps and save the south west for another time.
Spending a chunk of time in the town of Hood River, Oregon, had been in our list of travel destinations for a while. This year we'd initially planned to head to Santa Fe, New Mexico, but after some back-and-forth we opted to head north for cooler temps and save the south west for another time.
Of course photography was part of the travel mission, but perhaps less so than some prior trips. We were on the road a lot for this trip, so finding the extra oomph to get up pre-dawn and/or stay out for late evening light wasn't really in the cards this time around. Most of the captures were opportunistic, meaning I took shots of what I felt was interesting as we stumbled upon them.
Below you'll find a bunch of images taken either with my Fujifilm GFX100S camera, with various cell phone images thrown into the mix.
Below you'll find a bunch of images taken either with my Fujifilm GFX100S camera, with various cell phone images thrown into the mix.
DAY 1 - SONOMA COUNTY TO ROSEBURG, OREGON
That overarching feeling of needing to get on the road was reaching the point of being unsettling. The last week of work was tedious. Only leaving mattered. Due to me being... well, me, I still had a lot of those pre-travel jitters. The "What-Ifs?!" were louder than previous years, to the point where even travel insurance seemed like a good idea.
The trip up was straight-forward and felt pretty quick for being nearly an 8-hour shot up Interstate 5. I was miserable due to some lingering nerve pain issues, but they calmed down as the trip progressed.
The trip up was straight-forward and felt pretty quick for being nearly an 8-hour shot up Interstate 5. I was miserable due to some lingering nerve pain issues, but they calmed down as the trip progressed.
Logan at the first fill out, three minutes out the door and ready to go!
Williams, CA
Logan takes the helm
Not enjoying life
Train in motion
Black Butte near the town of Mt Shasta
Mounta Shasta
Mount Shasta
See ya soonish, Shasta
Sacramento River
I choose Roseburg, OR as our first strategic layover for two reasons. Firstly, it was 8-hours from our house so our push to Portland on Day 2 would be an easy three and a half hours and because it looked adorable from the satellite view on Google Maps. Even with retrospect, reason #1 was still a valid enough reason and I stand by staying in Roseburg.
Our hotel was fine, but we our spidey senses started tingling and it once we walked to downtown. Tt was clear that the Roseburg of today wasn't the town it used to be in its heyday, back when the timber industry was really pumping. Small groups of locals congregated in parking lots, with longer glances darting in our direction. We were clearly outsiders.
Our hotel was fine, but we our spidey senses started tingling and it once we walked to downtown. Tt was clear that the Roseburg of today wasn't the town it used to be in its heyday, back when the timber industry was really pumping. Small groups of locals congregated in parking lots, with longer glances darting in our direction. We were clearly outsiders.
We arrived downtown and man staggered into our path, belched, apologized for being drunk and continued on his way. Where were the normies? It was Friday evening and the vibe was off. Even the food trucks were closed. It was starting to feel like the future arrived and forgot all about this town. Might as well wander back to the hotel and call it a night.
South Umpqua River River
Behind the scenes in Roseburg
Behind the scenes in Roseburg
Small encampment adjacent to our hotel
South Umpqua River next to our digs
Logan doing plant research
DAY 2 - SQUEEZING ALL WE COULD INTO OUR TIME IN PORTLAND
A new day, a new me. My body feeling more relaxed was ready to give Interstate 5 another go and we pushed north to Portland. We arrived at our hotel well before the 4 PM check-in, but our room was ready which was ideal as we had a lot of gear that we'd not feel comfortable leaving in the car while we explored the city.
We had reservations for the Portland Japanese Garden at 4:30 and we killed a few hours prior exploring the Willamette Riverfront parks and out little corner of the city.
We had reservations for the Portland Japanese Garden at 4:30 and we killed a few hours prior exploring the Willamette Riverfront parks and out little corner of the city.
Hawthorne Bridge over the Willamette River, Portland
:)
Buttcrack Cyclist
Another shot of the bridge - I have a thing for bridges
My pal Russell and I had visited Portland and the Columbia River Gorge over a long weekend a few years ago, but it was earlier in year, prior to Spring doing its thing. We saw a lot, but my desire to get back up here for a longer stay was set and I was excited to show Logan around and explore even more together.
The Portland Japanese Garden was still in its winter-state when I was last there, but this time it was in full bloom -other than the Cherry Blossoms which had already fallen.
The Portland Japanese Garden was still in its winter-state when I was last there, but this time it was in full bloom -other than the Cherry Blossoms which had already fallen.
Portland Japanese Gardens Strutting Their Stuff
Softly Glowing
Hard to tell the difference between this garden and our backyard, which also happens to be on planet Earth
The night was winding down, and with our energy reserves blinking in red, we hit the local neighborhood one more time and found ourselves walking halfway across the Tilikum Crossing Bridge. As you'll continue on, you'll see that I've un-apologetically got a thing for bridges.
Logan takes a moment along the Willamette River
The Soothing Sounds of Traffic
DAY 3 - MELLOW DRIVE EAST TO WHITE SALMON, WA
This marked the first day where I really started to feel like we were on vacation. As much as I dig Portland, getting out of the city allows my everything to settle down, to relax.
All stops were opportunistic, including a visit to the Washington side of the Bonneville Dam.
All stops were opportunistic, including a visit to the Washington side of the Bonneville Dam.
The Mighty Columbia River, from the Cape Horn lookout
Using the GF250MM F/4 to compress some distant bluffs
Salmon at the Washington Shore Visitor Center
What's not to love about concrete and steel at the Washington Shore Visitor Center of the Bonneville Dam
Tappy tap tap
We had another hour to kill before we could check in to our accommodations in White Salmon, so we headed a bit further east, and then doubled back to White Salmon for the rest of the day.
Can y'all send some of this down to Sonoma County?
DAY 4: LOOP AROUND MOUNT HOOD
The plan that wasn't. Head west along the gorge, taking the Historic Columbia River Hwy whenever possible and then see where the day takes us. We stopped at a few waterfall pullouts/trails, and continued our way to the Vista House.
The clouds were thick as we traveled on small country back roads along the western flank of Hood Mountain. As we made our way along the southern side, mist turned to rain and then nearly to snow as we climbed to 6k feet to the Timberline Lodge parking lot. It was a bit of a mess up there, so we skipped the cocoa and headed back down to warmer elevations, settling for a walk about at the White River. We could just barely see parts of Mount Hood between breaks in the clouds, but it had otherwise hid from us since our arrival.
The clouds were thick as we traveled on small country back roads along the western flank of Hood Mountain. As we made our way along the southern side, mist turned to rain and then nearly to snow as we climbed to 6k feet to the Timberline Lodge parking lot. It was a bit of a mess up there, so we skipped the cocoa and headed back down to warmer elevations, settling for a walk about at the White River. We could just barely see parts of Mount Hood between breaks in the clouds, but it had otherwise hid from us since our arrival.
Bridal Veil Creek
Horsetail Falls
Horsetail Falls
Bridal Veil Falls
Getting Funky
Latourell Falls
Vista House at Crown Point
Rainy Mt. Hood Hwy
More Amosphere along Mt. Hood Hwy
Snow at 6k' at the Timberline Lodge Parking Lot
White River
Boulders
Logan
Another Bridge, but someone said this one wasn't interesting. WRONG, it's a bridge, therefore it's interesting
Logan
A little home in White Salmon
Logan basks in the evening light
Damn Cold - White River at West Sno-Park
NF-48 - One of countless forest roads to explore
The Log(an)
DAY 5: WINDY AND DRY
I suppose we'd had our fill of wet, humid and cold so we headed east and found ourselves on a mini road trip out into the arid rolling hills of southern Washington. We crossed back over the Columbia River and stopped for a breezy picnic lunch at the Deschutes River State Recreation Area.
A BNSF Train Snakes Along the Columbia River
Morning Rainbow at the Airbnb
Traffic Jam
First glimpse of Hood's peak
Wishram WA
Puffy Cloud and Wind Turbine
The Dalles Bridge
The Dalles Dam and Local Scenery
From The Dalles we hopped back onto the Historic Highway and made our way up to the McCall Preserve for a 4 mile out and back hike to the top of McCall Point. We also hit 1,000 miles, just over the halfway point for the trip.
A storm lingers in the distance
The Wind Whipped on our Tom McCall Preserve Hike
Hey, it's us
Rattlesnake Buddy
Tom McCall Point in the Distance
Logan
Barge on the Columbia
Lupine
Logan
Fun Twisties!
Barge on the Columbia
Hood River Bridge in the Distance
With another hike in the books and a pent up thirst, we set dials and levers such that we'd end up back in Hood River for our first and only beer stop this trip. pFriem Family Brewers along the Hood River Waterfront offered so many unique Belgium and similar brews. Our kind of place!
We needed to walk off our slight tipsiness, so we took the opportunity to walk to the park and watch all the wind-persons hit windy the river with their wind-powered wind toys. We wrapped up the day with a sunset drive and then called it. Zzzzz
We needed to walk off our slight tipsiness, so we took the opportunity to walk to the park and watch all the wind-persons hit windy the river with their wind-powered wind toys. We wrapped up the day with a sunset drive and then called it. Zzzzz
Windy Wind People on the Windy River Doing Wind Things
The Columbia River Gorge From White Salmon
DAY 6 - MOUNT ADAMS | LOST LAKE
A relatively laid back day, as the travel strain was starting to take its toll. The skies finally cleared and we jumped at the chance to get a close-up view of Mt. Adams, the largest volcano in the Cascades. There were some better views of the mountain from some of the smaller towns along our approach, like Trout Lake, WA, but being I was wiped out I didn't stop. I'd thought about stopping and then kept pushing further along. Oh well. Some days are just like that.
Mount Adams Summit
Mount Adams
Went back to our pad and I slept for another hour or two. We later headed out in the early part of the evening on another hour's drive to Lost Lake. Normally a great spot for Hood Mountain views, it's likely best right at dawn when the water is still. That wasn't in the cards this trip, nor was the weather cooperating in terms of mountain views, but we still had a lovely 3+ mile walk around the lake.
Mount Hood, hiding once again with Lost Lake in the foreground
Mount Adams from the Oregon Side
Part of the Lost Lake Trail
Trillium
Leaning Tree - Lost Lake Trail
Lost Lake Trail
Boardwalk along the Lost Lake Trail
This means something - Lost Lake
DAY 7 - DRY CREEK WATERFALL HIKE
This was it - our last full day in this neck of the woods and if felt like we'd only scratched the surface of the things we'd like to have done. That's the way it should be as there's nothing worse than arriving to a location, hammering through the list of neat stuff the first few days and then finding yourself dreaming of elsewhere halfway through your stay.
We started the morning in Hood River, exploring downtown for a bit and reflecting that it had the potential of being a very livable city. Not that we're looking to move, but I'm sure most people like to go through the thought experiment of wondering what it'd be like pulling chocks and relocating to a new part of the world.
We started the morning in Hood River, exploring downtown for a bit and reflecting that it had the potential of being a very livable city. Not that we're looking to move, but I'm sure most people like to go through the thought experiment of wondering what it'd be like pulling chocks and relocating to a new part of the world.
The Hood River Bridge was built in 1924, has a steel mesh deck and was a bit harrowing to cross at times. And cross it many times we did during our stay.
For our last Gorge hike, we referenced the AllTrails app and selected the Dry Creek Waterfall Hike from Cascade Locks, starting at the Bridge of the Gods on the Oregon side of the river. This was such a lush, pretty trail. The clouds rolled and while it threatened to rain, we had a great hike with atmospheric lighting and very few other people to dodge. There's something to be said for mid-week afternoon hikes.
Dry Creek Falls plunges 74-feet over a basalt amphitheater
Dry Creek Falls Trail, slightly overgrown in this part but in the most amazing way
Bridge of the Gods
Logan along the Dry Creek Falls Trail
More Leaf Glow
Hey, it's me! Thanks Logan
'tis I
A type of fern?
Ferns
Dry Creek Falls Trail
Dry Creek Falls
Dry Creek Falls
Dry Creek Falls
Basalt Columns
Dry Creek Falls - Best with Sound "On"
DAY 8 - WHITE SALMON TO KLAMATH FALLS | LAVA BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Hey southern Oregon, how have you been? We were last in Klamath Falls for an overnighter nearly ten years ago when we traveled to Crater Lake. It's a five hour straight shot down to this part of the world from where we were staying, and while the miles were taking their toll, we opted to head straight back out from our hotel another hour south and into California's Lava Beds National Monument for some evening hiking and photography.
We saw two other couples during our visit. People are sleeping on this gem of a park!
We saw two other couples during our visit. People are sleeping on this gem of a park!
That's right folks, another bridge, another train.
No shortage of midges at Tulelake on our way to the park. Gross!
Volcanic Oddities at Lava Beds National Monument
I'm forever grateful to Logan for wanting to go on these sorts of adventures together. If I could snap my fingers, we'd get to do this sort of thing a lot more often than we do.
I'd also like to extend a huge thank you to Logan's mom, Jan, for taking care of our home and kittens while we were away. You made this possible.
--Randy
I'd also like to extend a huge thank you to Logan's mom, Jan, for taking care of our home and kittens while we were away. You made this possible.
--Randy
