To Oregon, Portland and Columbia Gorge
As we headed out, it was another rainy/sunny day which gave us some very dramatic scenery as we twisted along Hwy 1 and into Redwood National Park and the Klamath River basin. It took us quite some time to drive this short 1hr 15 min (62 mile) route to Crescent City because we had to constantly stop to gaze at the Elk, the breathtaking trees (more about that in a minute) and things like giant fiberglass lumberjacks and bulls (I am not kidding!), not to mention having to wait for our turn to pass on a one lane road because the other lane had fallen off into the ravine!
BEAUTIFUL scenery at Klamath.
A note on the Klamath River: A pact has been signed by the governors of California and Oregon as well as federal officials to take down four hydroelectric dams that block salmon migration on the Klamath. The dams have blocked salmon migration along the California-Oregon
border since the first one was built in 1909. This would be the biggest dam-removal project in California history. The Klamath is the
third-largest salmon run in the lower 48 states, behind the Columbia and
Sacramento rivers. Many American Indian tribes along the river use it as a main food source. If the dams go - still no sure bet - 420 miles of historic habitat would open for the first time in more than a century.
The Elk were everywhere
The Mystery Spot
This tourist attraction teaches you all about the redwood forest and the trees. We didn't go inside the park, but we did have to pull over and take a photo of the enormous Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe at the entrance.
Here is just one more reason we will head inland at Crescent City.......
ANOTHER ROAD SLIDE!
Smith River National Recreation Area
We turned away from the coast at Crescent City and headed northeast on Hwy 199 into the Smith River National Recreation Area and through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. This highway is only 2 lanes which makes it a task, especially when the giant redwoods keep taking your attention away from the road. The best thing to do is just pull over and take in these majestic beauties. We stopped in the Ruth Perry Hatton Grove to take some movies we could share. I barely noticed it was raining because the trees were taking my breath away. (If you receive my email blog and can't get these movies to work, go to the web version of the blog at www.amileinourshoes.blogspot.com)
Sorry for the sideways movie but it was the only way to get the drama of the monster tree
And here is another one
Hwy 199 twists and turns along the very wild Smith River and offers some outstanding views. The heavy rains have increased the flow dramatically.
We finally crossed into Oregon and the Siskiyou National Forest, meeting Interstate 5 at Grants Pass. We were relieved there was no snow in this area. I have been through here before at this time of year and needed chains all the way to Portland. We zoomed up I5 and into Eugene where we will stay with our old friend Jerry for the night. Jerry may be familiar to those of you following the blog. He was visiting San Francisco while we were there a few weeks ago, so this will be the second time we see him on this trip :o)
Jerry took us out to his favorite watering hole, The Jackalope
The next morning we headed to Portland. Luckily the clouds had lifted and we were able to get a spectacular view of Mt. Hood from the freeway. Plenty of snow over there!
Our first stop in Portland was to see our friends Cassie and Bruce who actually live just across the Columbia River in Vancouver, WA. They just moved here from the mid-west to retire and participate in their grandchildren growing up. What a gift!
They are loving it here and Cassie couldn't wait to take us out on a little tour to show us some of the local sights. We took off up the Columbia River Gorge. Our first stop was Multnomah Falls.
The falls were extra spectacular due to the recent heavy rainfall. This is the tallest waterfall in the state of Oregon - the upper fall is 542 ft., the lower fall 69 ft.
The upper falls
Here we are with Cassie (in the pouring rain, and Rowan forgot to bring her raincoat!). The lower falls are behind us.
A movie of the upper falls
Bonneville Dam Fish Hatchery
If you have any interest in fish and/or where your food comes from, this is a pretty cool thing to stop and see. To witness the power of the Columbia River and imagine that these fish (all kids of Salmon) swim up here from the ocean, against this current and then up these ladders to spawn just blows the human mind. I could go on and on and on about what these fish go through and their cycle of life. Instead, I will direct you to their website for the details and a peek at the live fish cam:
The Dam
The Ladders
We went into the building where they let you go down underneath to watch the fish fighting against the current and swimming up the gates . We found a small group of Steelhead at one of the windows. The one at the bottom appears to be about 25 inches long. We stood there watching them for about 20 minutes and they never got beyond that window. That is how strong that current is!
some fish count statistics from Oregon/Washington combined
Full Sail Brewery
After all this looking around, we were getting hungry. We continued north to Hood River where we found the Full Sail Brewery. A perfect spot for the perfect pint.
After all this looking around, we were getting hungry. We continued north to Hood River where we found the Full Sail Brewery. A perfect spot for the perfect pint.
Absolutely delicious salmon fish and chips (none of that white fish here).
A beer float?
Yes, a beer float! The first time we've ever tried one of these. Made with dark cherry stout and Oregon made Tillamook vanilla ice cream. It was delicious!
Rainbow over the Columbia River
We had never seen a rainbow so low to the ground like this. It looked more like a rainbow bridge.
PORTLAND
Our next stop was back across the Columbia River to Portland to spend a couple of days with our old friend Shaban. He and his girlfriend, Andi, took us on a one day whirlwind tour of downtown.
The cherry trees were in full bloom along the river in downtown. A good sign that spring is finally in the air.
It was the weekend so it was market day in downtown. We found this great artist who made the most peculiar things out of real silverware and other kitchen utensils.
I found this 'cleaver in the skull cap' to be my favorite.
OUCH!
Portland is the home of Nike.....and they definitely hit a home run with this advertisement!
VooDoo Doughnuts
If you are into donuts, then this shop is the ultimate place to get the most outrageous creations. People come from great distances to stand in long lines just to have the experience of eating one of them. With names like......The Voodoo Doll (comes with a pretzel through its heart), Dirt, Old Dirty Bastard, Gay Bar, Pot Hole, Tex-Ass, Cock-N- Balls (yes, it is what you think!) Go here for the full list, including photos: http://www.voodoodoughnut.com/doughnuts
We didn't go in because the line was going out the door and down the street.
That's No Lady!
When in a big city I am always on the lookout for the wacky and unusual stuff. I found a good one here that I was totally unaware of. The oldest drag queen performer still living and active, Walter "Darcelle XV" Cole, at 85 years old, lives here in Portland. She operates a drag club downtown. Who knew!?
That's Darcelle XV on the left. Not bad for 85!
More Street Art
It is easy to tell how a city is feeling by the art you find on its streets. Here on the "Left Coast" some things are just expected.
Even the cookies are sad about the current state of things :o(
Do you smell something? I smell something.
Portlandia
This sculpture, by Raymond Kaskey is located above the entrance of the Portland Building, in downtown Portland on SW 5th Avenue. It is the second-largest copper statue in the United States, after the Statue of Liberty. The statue is 34 feet 10 inches high and weighs 6.5 tons. If standing, the woman would be about 50 feet tall. The statue is based on the design of the city seal. It depicts a woman dressed in classical clothes, holding a trident in the left hand and reaching down with the right hand. She is a very striking and impressive figure.
Don't forget to look down or you will miss some beautiful industrial metal work. Even manhole covers have their own beauty. I must get this knack for things made of iron and steel from my dad, who worked as a metal craftsman. This plate is a winner.
Get ready. Seattle is next!
