Road Trip 2010: Day 60: Portland, OR

We let Rick do the driving today. He and Sandy picked us up at 11 AM and we headed EAST on I-84 away from the city to see some sights at the west end of the Columbia River Gorge.

Our first stop was:

Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls

Sure. It's "just" a waterfall. But you don't see too many that 1) have a parking area in the middle of the interstate 2) have a walking trail that zig-zags up the face of the cliff to reach the top of the falls (we DID NOT go to the top!--just the bridge that crosses the water) 3) that have a bridge crossing in front of the falls or 4) have a beautiful little restaurant at the base (which is where we had lunch).

Multnomah Falls

Sandy and Rick at the Falls

Me and Terry at the Falls

I should have taken a picture of the Visitors' Center/Gift Shop/Restaurant. Both Rick and I thought it compared favorably to Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone.

We left the Falls to head up to Vista House. Rick asked directions but then ignored them so it took a little longer to get there than originally thought. (Must be genetic.)

Vista House is nestled atop the edge of the cliffs that mark the boundary of the Columbia Gorge and it offers some fantastic views up and down the river as well as of the surrounding mountains (which did not wish to be exposed so stayed under the blanket of clouds...the rotters!).

Vista House

Actually, it's a lovely stone and stained glass structure in the shape of a dome. The below ground portion houses restrooms, snack shop, gift shop, and art gallery. The first floor is an open rotunda. Then there's an outdoor balcony from which you can get some really great views. (I really should have taken a picture of it!)

The view upstream from Vista House

The view downstream from Vista House

After Vista House, we took Historic US 30 over to Rocky Butte from which you have a semi-view of downtown Portland. (Rick refused to take the one fir tree that obstructs the view out. He says they are reluctant to cut anything along that oh so steep slope.)

Portland from Rocky Butte (The tree on the left needs to go!)

Sandy and Rick at Rocky Butte

Leaving Rocky Butte we headed back into the city's SE district to attend the wedding reception of the folks at whose house Rick keeps his bees and has a garden.

Rick and his bees.

There will be honey this fall! The yellow box is full of combs that are, in turn, full of honey. (He's already gotten some wax...which he gifted to the wedded couple.)

Amanda and Simran (aka "Ted" according to his Dad)

Was it a shotgun wedding?...

...with reason!

All in fun. They've been together for several years.

Upon offering congratulations to Simran and thanks for extending the invite to a couple of strangers, he said something along the lines of, "You've probably never seen such weird people as we are!" I mentioned that I had been a teacher for 32 years and we had just come back from Alaska. "Oh," was his reply.

We took our leave and Rick drove us back tot he campground just in time to see some Celtic Dancers perform on the road just a few sites down from our trailer.

Celtic Dancer performs

Celtic Dancers aged 9 to 20 years

It took me a few hours to edit the photos of the day and then we hit the sack. Rick has a long day planned for Sunday.