This morning started with a long lost love of our family…a visit to Sbux (how we fondly refer to Starbucks), the first since being on the trip. Mommy and Daddy warmed their souls and jumpstarted their brains with coffee. Ella and Lily got a special morning treat of hot chocolate.
Today's plan was to drive the Columbia River Gorge and visit a number of hiking trails and attractions along the way. The Columbia River Gorge is a river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, cutting a route through the Cascade Mountain Range. The river divides the states of Oregon and Washington. Our campground was in Northeast Portland right along the bank of the Columbia River which made for easy access to get started in the morning.
After finishing our caffeine and sugar fix the weather was overcast and chilly with spotty showers forecast for the next few hours. Adam had a long list of things to see and do along the gorge that included some hikes and other outdoor destinations before making a final stop at the Bonneville Lock and Dam. But with iffy weather in the morning and a nice afternoon forecast we thought it would be best to start with Bonneville and work our way back instead. So with that decision we made the 40 mile drive along the river and arrived at the Bradford Island Visitor Center with time to spare before the first tour of the day at 11am.
There was a junior ranger program here so we got the girls their booklets. We sat on the benches where the tour began and they got to work while we waited.
Once the tour started it didn’t take long to realize we had the BEST tour guide. I could have listened to his British accent coupled with his extremely animated and engaging personality all day. Our first destination of the tour was just outside to see an original huge turbine that had been used in one of the powerhouse generators. From this point we also could see the dam in front of us and we learned about the history and construction of that as well.
Next we took a short walk over to see the fish ladders. The purpose of these is to help the native fish get past the dam as they journey upstream to spawn. Without these ladders the dam would have blocked the migration of fish causing significant ecological impact. We were fascinated as we looked down and saw the large fish swimming upstream, with the occasional one jumping out of the water.
To get to our next destination we had to take another short walk down the winding pathway. While on our way the whole group stopped in their tracks to watch the osprey flying in and out of their nest perched high atop the powerhouse building where we were headed. The views of the gorge around this otherwise industrial facility were beautiful.
Once inside the powerhouse we were able to see the line of 10 enormous generators in action. We learned about the crane that is able to go back and forth on the track above the turbines allowing workers access for inspection and service. There was a display of the original tools used to maintain the turbines back when the facility was built in the 30's. While the form of these tools was familiar, the size and weight were incredible to see and difficult to imagine using. There was a desk of an engineer in 1940 complete with hard copies of blueprints and a typewriter. Hanging proudly on the wall was the United States Flag with 48 stars as this was the flag at the time the powerhouse was built.
The girls had a good time playing with the water cycle and electricity demonstrator. I immediately noticed the special architectural touches in the size and shape of the window frames.
When the tour was complete our amazing tour guide started taking pictures with everyone and would graciously place his ranger hat on each guest for the photo. Of course our girls could not pass up this opportunity.
The guide recommended going to the fish ladder viewing room for a unique underwater perspective and we followed his advice. At the bottom corner of the one viewing window were a cluster of lampreys. We were mesmerized by these long, skinny, snake-like fish who suctioned their mouths to the glass providing us a clear view of their sharp teeth.
We watched in amazement as the larger fish tried to swim upstream. It was very evident how difficult this task was for these fish. Most of them would appear to blow backwards before continuing to try moving forward until they had success. We read on the exhibit sign this occurred when the fish stopped to take a break from the difficult uphill swim.
In this same area we were able to get a look at the fish counter. Amazingly enough, in these modern times this job is still done by a human. This person sits and diligently watches the fish swimming past them and counts every one of them by species. We found it funny that there was a "Please Don't Tap on the Glass" sign posted to prevent visitors from disturbing the fish counter ... not from disturbing the fish.
The girls found a computer game that taught about the varieties of fish and the life they are living, including climbing the fish ladders. They were having the best time creating different scenarios for the fish and we were just as happy to sit and watch the actual fish.
We headed back to the Visitor Center for the girls to share their junior ranger books with the ranger. We were so happy to see our tour guide was the Ranger at the desk. He reviewed the books with the girls and then swore them in and presented them with their badges.
By this time we were all feeling ready for lunch. As we exited the girls felt compelled to explore the display of metal fish artwork just outside the Visitor Center. They were having a blast coming up with lots of silly picture poses.
While they were busy Adam went onto Yelp and found Bridgeside, a cafeteria-type restaurant nearby in the town of Cascade Locks right along the river. We took the short drive to the restaurant. On the side of the parking lot under the bridge there was a row of local vendors selling their smoked fish, fruits and vegetables. The restaurant sat up high on the bank of the Columbia River.
We found a table in the back corner that was surrounded by windows and provided a gorgeous view while we ate our quick lunch. The girls shared a bowl of clam chowder again. They have really been enjoying trying each of the different recipes.
Before leaving we went over to check out the vendors under the bridge. The first table we visited was a local farm that had created their own hybrid peaches. They were giving out samples and we all agreed we had to buy some. The woman was very animated while she excitedly talked about their one of a kind peach only grown and sold from their farm. They also sold Mount Rainier cherries. Our girls had never tried these before. They were instantly hooked after trying the sample and we added that to our purchase as well. Next we stopped at the smoked fish vendor and bought a vacuum sealed piece of smoked salmon. They packed it for us in a large bag of ice so it would keep while we were out and about. The last table we visited was another local farm. They were also selling peaches that looked delicious but did not come close to the peaches we already purchased. We noticed their blueberries looked beautiful. They gave us a sample and they tasted as good as they looked so we bought them too. Lily was very excited to get the blueberries. She insisted on holding the bag and was eating them while we walked across the parking lot to the truck.
Aside from the dam, Bonneville also had locks and a fish hatchery. We were all in agreement to go back and see this before continuing to other destinations along the Columbia River Gorge.
Unfortunately, when we got to the lock we found out we just missed a boat that had come through. We went to talk with the guard on duty and he explained they get notified about 45 minutes prior to a boat’s arrival and then it takes 30 minutes for the boat to get through the locks. At this moment there was no other boats waiting. We decided to move on, but first tried our best to explain to the girls how the locks operate like an elevator for boats passing by the dam.
A little disappointed, but psyched to check out the Fish Hatchery we continued over there.
We walked the trail over to the Sturgeon Viewing Center. There was a section that provided an underwater window to watch the sturgeon swimming in the pond. We learned all about Herman, a sturgeon over 75 years old who weighs more than 450 pounds and is over 10 feet long who lives in this pond. We watched as the sturgeon swam about and then there HE was, swimming up from the back. Herman swam right up to the window and we watched in amazement as he slowly moved on by. Everything about him was enormous, down to the length of his whiskers.
Once Herman was out of sight we went to the bridge at the top of the pond to see him and the other sturgeon from a different vantage point.
We continued following the peaceful tree lined trail to see the rainbow trout ponds, ducks and rearing ponds filled with all the baby fish who were separated by species.
At the rearing ponds there was a trailer set up and a blue flexible pipe was bringing the babies inside. We asked what was happening and the worker explained they were clipping their fins so when they were released in the wild the fishermen would know not to keep them if caught.
It was interesting to learn Lewis and Clark camped on the Bonneville grounds in 1806. We enjoyed seeing the beautiful flowers and pretty fountains throughout the grounds here.
We all fell in love with the life-size Sasquatch sculpture outside of the gift shop. Inside of the gift shop I found myself a new hat.
We could not believe we managed to spend almost the entire day here. Just about everything else on Adam’s list would have to be saved for a future trip.
There was a lookout point not too far away that we thought we had time for and off to Vista House we went. The drive over was quite beautiful as it started out adjacent to the Columbia River and then curved us around the mountainside. Once we arrived we were so glad we did not skip this stop. As we exited the truck we were blown away by the magnificent view. As far as the eye could see the Columbia River flowed way down below, the gorge surrounded us and the pristine blue sky soared above us. The inside of Vista House was also a sight to see. I thought I liked the windows in the powerhouse. The shape of the building, it’s finishes, the stained glass windows, the ceiling, the marble flooring, the double curved staircases…I was trying to take in all the beautiful little details. Sadly, I had to do this very quickly as we only had 10 minutes before they closed. There was a gift shop and a museum downstairs that we would have to miss. They had a junior ranger program here that the girls would not be able to do. We had just enough time to get upstairs and step outside to the overlook. While we were up here a worker came out to tell us it was time to go. As we came down the stairs they were waiting at the door to lock up behind us. We stayed outside a little while longer admiring the view before moving on.
As we walked back to the truck I noticed the stone wall had arches cut out from the bottom creating gorgeous little framed vignettes. Just on the other side of the stone wall the entire hillside was filled with purple wildflowers. We left with a very strong desire to return to this exact point someday.
When we were driving to Vista House we noticed a quaint little market and decided to stop there on the way back. The Corbett Country Market had a single gas pump, was a liquor store and had a variety of prepared foods (like bbq, deli side salads and baked goods) and packaged goods. We picked up a handful of groceries and headed back towards the campsite.
Not too far from where we were staying was a pier with a few restaurants. After looking at the menus we thought the Deck Restaurant would be perfect after a long day. I walked down the long, steep plank and then made my way down the marina to get there. I went by myself to see if we could be seated since it was not the easiest restaurant to access. Thankfully they had a table that would be available in ten minutes, which would be about the same amount of time it would take Adam and the girls to make the same walk I just did. I sat on the colorful adirondack chairs outside to wait. Shortly after they got there our table was ready. The restaurant was surrounded by a clear plastic tent and we had an amazing view of the sun setting over the water while we ate.
Our waitress was one of the sweetest people we had ever met and she forged quite a bond with our girls in this short time. Ella and Lily were very excited because their meals came with fruit snacks and a visit to the prize box. When we went over to the prize box they could not get over how nice the selection of prizes was. They examined all the choices carefully and took a while to make their selection. Ella ended up getting a game we could play outside and Lily got a Barbie doll. When we got back to the table they were telling Adam all about the choices and what they picked with such joy that the people at the tables around us started to laugh at their excitement. Then the table directly in front of us told us it was their daughter’s birthday and she chose to come here just so she could go to the prize box too. Dollar store finds sure does make for lots of happy children.
The waitress brought over a cup of bread for each of the girls and told them before they leave they have to feed the ducks in the water next to the restaurant. We thought they couldn’t get more excited after the prize box but this proved us wrong…it is the little things in life for sure. Before we left Lily told the waitress she was the best waitress she ever had in her whole entire life and then asked her to take a picture with them. She told Lily she made her day, week and year and then insisted we go onto the pier to get the nicest picture possible.
This ended with lots of hugs for our “best ever waitress” and off we went to feed the ducks.
As soon as we approached all the swans swam right over. One had what appeared to be a broken wing and this broke our hearts. They kept trying to give that swan most of the food. Of course the other swans were getting their fair share too.
Once the bread was all gone we headed back up the steep plank to the truck. By this point the girls were becoming delirious and they started doing silly dances and striking crazy poses on their way up. As we walked through the parking lot the view of the marina with the sky turning to night was the perfect note to end our day.
