Monday, August 31, 2009

Waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge -- part 2

and now this is Multonomah Falls --There are too many photos to put in one more post so I will divide them up into 4 days of posts. Please come back and see more each day. I wish I had had the time to hike to the top but our driver gave us only so long and I didn't know how long it would take me. NOW, I wish I had just gone anyway--we had plenty of time and we got back home two hours earlier than we were expected. I hope maybe I can go again someday with people that like to hike but am grateful that I got to go see this much at least. Part 1:

CLICK on the sign to read information about the falls.
This is a commemorative sign to the Oregon Pioneers who had the foresight to make this site available to everyone instead of just a few. It was a public attraction for all long before it became a part of the national park system.
CLICK for more information. . .
Getting closer with a sneak peek at the falls. . .
and closer . . .
almost there. . .
The sun was very bright!
YOU have arrived! At least, for a first time almost full view.
Close up of the bridge . . .
Full length view of Multonomah Falls from top to bottom or bottom to top!

There is much more to come as I get closer and walk over the bridge and a walk little up the winding path closer to the top. Please drop by again tomorrow for more. This is not the last waterfall either. Ü

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Waterfalls we visited in the Columbia River Gorge -- part 1

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.

It's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington State and the south canyon walls in Oregon State.

WATERFALLS
Through millenniums of geologic events, waterfalls have found their home in the Columbia River Gorge. A visit to the area is not complete without a visit to its breathtaking waterfalls.

Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Though Multnomah Falls is grand and popular, all of the falls in the Gorge are special and breathtaking.

History
For over 31,000 years, the Columbia River Gorge has supported flourishing civilizations. Evidence of the Folsom and Marmes people, who crossed the Great Continental Divide from Asia, were found in archaeological digs. Excavations at Five Mile Rapids, a few miles east of The Dalles, show humans have occupied this ideal salmon fishing site for more than 10,000 years.

Geology
The Columbia River Plateau was created by a series of basalt flows. The flows covered 164,000 square kilometers -- portions of northeast Oregon, southwest Washington and western Idaho.

OK, now for the photos of the falls I promised. . .

The first falls we stopped at was called Latourell Falls. . .enlarge the sign to read about it and also photos of any of the falls to see them better, if you wish.





Next stop was Wahkeena Falls. . .










Then we went to Multonomah Falls. . . but that's for another day because I have too many photos to still add and this accidently published itself. Sorry! Come back on Monday for more.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

The Columbia River Gorge

Below, you will find several photos of the view of the Columbia River Gorge taken from the Vista House area. I wish I could have taken some photos from the top floor but it was under repair and forbidden to go upstairs.

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.

It's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington State and the south canyon walls in Oregon State.











Friday, August 28, 2009

Vista House on the Columbia River Gorge



CLICK on the above sign to read about Vista House.







Inside Vista House. . .

We did not get to go upstairs to see the view because of the construction to repair something. Maybe next time. . .




This is not a great photo of the tiny elevator that fits two . . . I got to ride it with a person using a walker because she was scared to do it alone. It had a bump/jerk to start and end but was otherwise quite nice. . . I was glad Judy asked me to go with her although that meant I didn't get to climb any stairs --but we could not go upstairs anyway -- just to the basement where there was a restaurant, gift shop and restrooms.









Did you notice all the beautiful stained glass windows?

Come back tomorrow to see the view of the Columbia River from Vista House.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Focus on this. . .


I moved my camera when taking a shot of something at the waterfalls but thought this was an interesting photo anyway. CLICK on to enlarge to get the sensual look of it. OK now you are ready for the waterfalls and other photos I took on our excursion Wednesday . . . but you will have to wait!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Note:

No blogging for me Wednesday. Too much trouble on my old computer Tuesday night and Wednesday I will be gone on a bus trip to see the waterfalls in the Gorge for most of the day. I will try to post again on Thursday and visit your blogs Wednesday night when I get home.

Homes on Mt. Rainier -- part 4





About Me

My photo
WELCOME to my blog. I hope you will return often.

I am on my third digital camera, all Olympus. I enjoy using it and sharing my photos. I also enjoy writing. I hope to share a little of each on this blog. My main blog is Postcards From the Northwest.

Kerri and I will continue to add benches to "For the Love of Benches Continued . . . " blog also. It is good to continue to share with her!

Continuation of the Kiggins House Re-model photos were lost when my computer crashed.

The latest city project, TURTLE PLACE, will unfold here as I have time to add photos. It is complete and maybe I can find enough photos someday to show you the final results. Next project after the two I am working on now. . .


Blog Your Blessings Sunday