Last Saturday when my friend and I took the drive through Troutdale, we also went up scenic Columbia River Highway through some of the most beautifully wooded areas, ever. This old highway runs parrallel to highway 84, but it's the older, scenic route, and it is so worth taking an afternoon to explore.
The Pacific Northwest is simply spectacular, and I am beginning to think that I may never run out of incredible places, and sights, and events to see here, even if I live to be 104, which is pretty much my plan.
Back to our drive...Our first stop along the Columbia River Highway was the Vista House. This cool building was actually built way back in the very early 1900's, and, sits way up high (Over 700 feet) above Highway 84 down below.
It has absolutely amazing views of the Columbia River, and the beautiful hillsides on either side of the river.
There happened to be a "Scooter Club" taking in the sights at the Vista House when we were there, and I couldn't help but take a picture of all the scooters. There are a few actual motorcycles on the right hand end of the group, but it was mainly a long row of these little motor bikes...a couple of Vespas I think, but mostly some kind of little Honda things that I had never seen before. The Vista House itself was a pretty cool sight, perched up on the rocky area overlooking the Columbia River. The inside of the Vista Building was as cool as the outside. Here was a shot of the ceiling from inside, as we were about to head up the stairs to enjoy the views...kind of pumpkin pie colored, with a fixture in the center that reminded me of a giant button....
From there, we got back on the road and headed to Multnomah Falls, (Along with a few other smaller waterfalls along the way...) which is another sample of Mother Nature's best work, along with some of the prettiest man made stone and cement work walls, and railings, all shaded in moss and ivy.
I love that these walls and railings actually enhance the landscape instead of taking away from it...
I love looking at how different they all are...adding a little charm to the roadways, and it reminded me of this post where I somehow ended up sharing a collection of pictures of detailed and delightful fences.
Anyway, where was I? Oh yes, getting to Multnomah Falls. Beautiful. Really, beautiful.
I had been to Multnomah Falls a ouple of times before, but never walked up past the bridge and all that, and it was a perfect day, weather wise, so that made the falls even nicer.
That, coupled with the fact that I was with my favorite Portlander and I had an ice cream cone I was enjoying as we were meandering up the path to the falls made the moment as close to perfection as a girl can get.
