Bucket List

Do you have a list of things you hope to do one day? Don’t put them off! Of course you know our bucket list items involve traveling together in our RV to enjoy all that the Lord has created!

Yesterday while on a trail hike we met a woman from Canada who is a world traveler with her own bucket list of places she hopes to see. She has walked El Camino in Spain, and done a multi day hike in Macchu Pichu, Peru, and much more. She made an interesting comment, “Just as you cross one place off your bucket list, you add seven more!” While chatting we each suggested recommendations of our favorite places we have visited, adding to each other's bucket lists!

Our summer Adventures on the Road  route includes going to some bucket list places that have been recommended by friends. We also will visit some places we have been to, that are so beautiful and spectacular that they beckon us to make a return visit. The planned route we created should allow us to connect with some friends and family along the way!

Revisiting Silver Falls State Park

“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”

‭‭-Genesis‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This state park in Oregon is one of those places you can return to over and over! Miles of fantastic trails wind through dense forests, leading to views of the Silver River and ten waterfalls. We viewed waterfalls from across the river from high viewpoints and as we trekked closer the thunderous roar of the cascading waters filled our ears. 

“Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;” 

‭‭-Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭7‬a ‭NKJV‬

The trail led us behind several of the waterfalls, the spray blowing over the trail like a fine rain falling upon us. Many kinds of ferns and plants covered the dripping rocky cliffs along the way. 

The Canadian, who we had chatted with along the hike to one of the falls, was in agreement with us that this place makes one feel as though he or she is in Eden, the garden of the Lord. Each waterfall, tree, flower and fern displayed the Glory of the Lord!

“And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.”

-‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭43‬:‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Connecting with Friends

While in Oregon we had the opportunity to visit with long time friends Larry and RoLayne.  We had a nice visit at their home, met their sweet dog Opie, and enjoyed dinner at one of their favorite Italian restaurants.

We joined them for Sunday Morning Church for a very encouraging sermon. Afterwards we headed down the road for our new adventures awaiting us in Washington.

We are excited to be on our summer Adventures on the Road! We miss all our friends and family at home...we pray for you each day to be strengthened in the Lord. We know many of our readers are praying for us and we so appreciate it!

Oregon-Part 3

Rivers, more rain, even more waterfalls…and Columbia River Gorge

Traveling North we passed through Portland and headed East to our campsite in Ainsworth State Park, for three nights inside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, “so designated in 1986, to protect and enhance the scenic, cultural, natural and recreation resources along the historic Columbia River Highway.”

We set up camp, enjoyed dinner and a stroll around the campground. After listening to the rain pelting our trailer throughout the night, we awoke to another rainy day. It seemed a nice day for a drive along the Historic Highway so we headed east, which it turned out gets much less rain than the western portion of the gorge. 

 

 

 

 

At the Hood River we took a detour down what is known as the Fruit Loop, because of all the fruit grown here. We traveled some winding country roads past well tended orchards and vineyards to visit the Hood Valley Lavender Farm, just in time for a short break in the clouds. 

The lavender grown at this farm (and most of the fruit grown in this fertile valley and mountain sides) will not be ready for harvest till July, but the farm was still very charming. Beautiful lavender bushes just coming into flower were set off by a beautiful rolling hillside.

The last full day in the area was overcast again, but the forecast showed little rain expected so we headed west along the Columbia Historic Highway to explore this area known to locals as The Gorge. But before we get to that here is a little history of the Oregon Historic Route 30.

“A NEW SPIRIT OF independence rolled across Oregon on the rubber tires of Model Ts during the early I900s.

When opened to the Hood River in I9I5 the Historic Columbia River Highway, the first modern paved highway in the Pacific Northwest and an engineering masterpiece, allowed motorists access to the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. The Historic Highway also provided a valuable link between eastern and western Oregon, especially for farm produce and manufactured goods. 

But by the 1930s, speed and efficiency took precedence, and the scenic road  became an impediment to progress. Construction of a water grade thoroughfare was already under way in the 1940s, and during the 1960s, Interstate 84 replaced the "king of roads."

 

Modern transportation systems contrast sharply with the Indian canoes and trails that served this region for thousands of years. But this sea level corridor through the Cascade Range still serves as an important shipping corridor for traded goods today.”

Each state in the US holds sites of iconic images. Even if you haven’t been there I’m sure you can picture New York’s Manhattan skyline or the Statue of Liberty. In California, images of the Golden Gate Bridge may come to mind. 

 

In Oregon the most iconic image I can think of would be Multnomah Falls with its famous bridge crossing in front of a dramatic double cascade of rushing water. Crossing the short span, with water rushing above your head and below your feet, spray misting around you, is an unforgettable experience like no other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

While the most famous of falls along the highway, Multnomah is not the only waterfall on these dramatic cliffs along the Columbia River. Latourell, Horsetail and Bridal Veil Falls are each equally spectacular in size and unique in appearance. After finding a place to park near Wahkeena Falls we hiked a short trail back to view Multnomah Falls. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While Latourell Falls was visible from the parking lot, it also had several lovely trails. We chose one that took us to the base of the falls, along the stream and back under the roadway, providing magnificent views of one of the many bridges constructed in the early 1900’s to provide access through the area for the Highway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scenic view points at the western entrance to the Historic Highway gave us the scope and scale of this stretch of the Columbia River Gorge. From the Portland Women’s Forum viewpoint the river stretches into the far distance, high cliffs on either side.  It was this very vista that inspired Highway Advocate Sam Hill to create the Historic Highway.

 

 

 

 

Another iconic Oregon Landmark is found at Crown Point, the Vista House. This stone building set on a bluff 600 feet above the river is a memorial to Oregon Trail Pioneers and provides a 360 degree view of the river and gorge in the distance.

 

 

 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD…

-Psalms 98:8 (NKJV)

The Columbia River Gorge is a marvelous area to visit. Waterfalls tower above gracefully curved historic roadways, crossing over streams on beautifully designed bridges. In some areas tunnels blasted through sheer cliffs provide access to the areas beyond. Rushing Rivers, fragrant trees, colorful wildflowers, and vibrant bird calls are a treat to the senses. This is truly a wonderful area of Oregon to explore. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our next Adventures on the Road will bring us across the Columbia River into Washington! We can't wait to share it with you all!

 

 

 

Oregon-Part 2

 

More waterfalls, rivers, Cascade Mountains…and Silver Falls State Park

It’s a Travel day from Crater Lake RV Park to Silver Falls State Park Campground, about 270 miles.

 

On long travel days like this one we try to plan stops to see places of interest along the way. We may make stops for gas and groceries as well. Our travel this day was further delayed by several areas of road work where crew were removing downed trees and a rock slide of boulders from the roadway. When we see these hazards we are so grateful for the Lord’s protection upon us as we are traveling, camping, hiking…

Our first side trip of the day was Watson Falls,  just past the first traffic delay a flag man allowed us into the Forest Road leading to this trail. After a magical hike up a hillside we came to this spectacular falls, the third highest in Oregon, plunging 293 ft. over the edge of a basalt lava flow and cascading down moss covered boulders. A Bridge crossing over the river provides great views of the boulders and the falls high above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Albany Historic Carousel and Museum

 

In researching things we might see or do along our route I came across the info for this place. The description read:

 

"Over 50 hand-carved animals on an antique mechanism, plus exhibits of historic carousel artifacts."

 

I have loved carousels ever since my childhood visits to the Carousel that is outside of the San Diego Zoo. Our visits to the Zoo were always followed by a Carousel Ride! 

The carousel in Albany did not disappoint. Inside an incredible glass carousel house, below a stunning wood ceiling, sits a colorful and whimsical Carousel! 

 

 

Each creature has been lovingly hand carved and painted by volunteers. The finished mounts are unique and fantastic steeds, elephants, giraffes, frogs and more! The museum has limited days and hours and because the long travel day had become longer with road delays, we arrived just 30 minutes before closing time. 

 

 

If we had more time, there was a tour to see how the animals are carved and a studio where the animals are painted and finished. We had been told the final ride of the day was free, so we enjoyed browsing in the gift store and watching the carousel until our turn. Steve chose a horse on the outside row so that he could try to catch the brass ring!

 

 

 

 

I mounted a fanciful orange zebra in the middle row beside him to enjoy the up and down rhythm of the ride. The music and lights transported us back to our childhood memories of riding carousels! This is an all volunteer run organization and was well worth the short detour from the highway!

Silver Falls Campground (4 nights)

 

After arriving and getting set up, we took an evening stroll after dinner, which became an adventure on the Nature Trail Loop at dusk. After about a mile of walking, and not knowing how long the loop was we came around a bend to an obstacle! We could either turn around and retrace our mile of travel or we would have to wade about 20 yards through a puddle that looked to be deep enough to cover our ankles. The water extended way beyond the edges of the gravel trail and the foliage and trees would keep us from getting around the water. We weren’t sure how much further beyond the puddle-lake the campground was, but to retrace our path would be about a mile, and we did not have much daylight left.

Steve determined that we should remove our hiking shoes to keep them dry and wade through the water in our socks to hopefully cushion our feet from the gravel. At the end of the water we could remove our socks and put on our shoes. Treading through cold water over gravel in our stocking feet while trying to not fall over or drop our shoes made for a memorable adventure…it reminded me of a scene from the movie “Romancing the Stone”!

Trail of Ten Falls

 

“When you take some time to 

explore this temperate rain forest, you'll discover amazing ferns, mosses, vibrant wild flowers and stands of fir, hemlock and cedar.” -viewpoint sign

 

This was not false advertising!

A morning hike along the South falls loop trail, 5.5 miles, brought us alongside, in front of and behind an incredible variety of falls!

We added more distance to our day’s trek after lunch and a siesta with a hike to Upper North Falls and a glimpse of North Falls from a trail above the falls, for a total of almost 7 miles in a day!

Rain began that evening and was forecast for our third day so we knew the trails would be muddier than before, but we had one final 3 mile loop trail that would take us to North Falls.

 We had heard from other hikers we crossed paths with that this was spectacular and not to be missed. We set out in a light and steady rain over the wet, muddy, puddled trail, steadily dropping to the level of the river, crossing over a bridge and heading upriver to the falls, which drop down a 136 cliff in front of a very wide cave like area, where the trail took us behind the thundering cascade. 

What a place to ponder the majesty of God’s creation. The second half of the loop took us back up the side of the canyon and up a final stretch of eighty stairs.

 

 

 

Arriving back to our truck the rain let loose and became a steady rain which intensified and lasted throughout the night. We were glad to have a safe dry trailer to enjoy, warm and dry!

 

Next week's blog will be our  Adventures on the Road from our next Campground at Ainsworth State Park, just inside the corridor of the Historic Columbia River Gorge. Thanks for following along and for your prayers for safety and adventure!