Columbia River Gorge
Published 2023-03-17
It is important to note the change in scenery and climate as we move away from the lush green of the coast to the extremely dry, drought stricken interior along the Columbia River.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area stretches 85 miles on both sides of one of the largest waterways on the continent. Protected by the National Scenic Act in 1986, the region is home to an incredible combination of spectacular landscapes, rare plants, wildlife, recreational opportunities, farmland, ancient Indian rock art, and the other cultural and historic sites.
We wind our way through the City of Portland merging onto Interstate 5 for a short bit and then merge onto Interstate 84 in Downtown Portland. Luck is with us as we did not get stuck in a traffic jam with the route we selected.
Leaving Portland, we follow the River on Route 84 as it winds along the banks and gradually climbs the cliffs and hills that border the River. There are numerous parks and waterfalls along this route however we did not have the time to explore them on this trip. Our Harvest Host location was the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center located at the Dalles on the River. This is the second time we have stayed at a location called the Dalles. We stayed at the Dalles in Wisconsin on the Wisconsin River back in June. The Dalles is a French term given by the trappers as a location od steep cliffs bordering the river. This term is an apt relation of the Cliffs bordering both sides of the Columbia where the museum is located.
The museum was a great place to stay overnight. The staff was very accommodating, and we were able to take advantage of the museum and is trails. The area was under extreme drought and we were stating to pick up the tell tale smoke from wildfires up in the mountains of Oregon and Washington States.
DISCOVER THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Located at the eastern gateway to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum is home to numerous exhibits to help introduce visitors to the geology, flora, fauna, history, and economic development of the Gorge.
It is recognized internationally as the destination for exploring the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Pacific Northwest.
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum
5000 Discovery Drive
The Dalles, Oregon 97058
HOURS
Open Daily
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Closed
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day