Rita does the "Gorge"

May 22 - My good friend Rita was my first guest. We went straight from the airport to an overnight getaway along the Columbia Gorge.

First stop, was "Crown Point", where some tourists snapped our picture.



Yes, the weather sucked. Next stop was Multnomah Falls where we had a delicious lunch at the Lodge in front of a fragrant fireplace (they must burn cedar!).



When Rita saw the road signs, she realized Bonneville Dam was on the Columbia -- where her father had been an engineer. Here we see the "spillway" releasing the exceptionally high snow-melt.



The skies cleared as the day worn on (see proof below).



Our destination was the Oak Street Hotel in Hood River -- famous destination for wind surfers.



The next day we returned via the Dalles and back along the gorge on the north (Washington) shore. Neither of us thought to take pictures of the mile long train the blocked our river view for several miles. We pulled over to let it pass --- only to find a 2nd train on the far track!

We hiked and dined at Skamania Lodge -- a future must-do destination!