This morning we decided to head West on Highway 14 to take in the views of the Columbia Gorge River at the multiple viewpoints. Forty million years ago fiery volcanoes, massive landslides, tremendous upheavals and thundering torrents of water created the stunning natural wonders of the Columbia River Gorge.
The only sea level passage through the Cascade Mountain Range, the Columbia River Gorge rises 4,055 feet from the river to the sub-alpine peak of Larch Mountain.
The first viewpoint we stopped at did not disappoint.
We stopped at a small town called Wishram where the switching station was located at Railroad Park.
Old railroad engine on display. Difficult to get a good picture.
As we continued along we were constantly in awe of the spectacular views.
We stopped at Horsethief Lake for a closer look. Very nice and a great spot to camp.
Once again we were enthralled by the beautiful wildflowers growing along the roadway.
We stopped at the Bonneville Lock and Dam. In September 1937 Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated Bonneville Lock and Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built this public works project during the Great Depression of the 1930’s to put people back to work, generate power and improve navigation on the Columbia River. More generators were added to provide energy for building ships and aircraft during WW II. Bonneville can provide power for 500,000 Northwest homes. Bonneville is part of a series of locks on the Columbia snake waterway allowing vessels to transport people and valuable commodities 465 miles from the Pacific Ocean to Lewiston, Idaho.
We were able to get a glimpse of the remaining migrating salmon as they swam past the viewing windows in the fish ladder.
The river was running fast and high so the spillways were open providing us with a great show of rushing water and incredible turbulence.We took a tour of the dam and we were able to walk on the turbines and feel the strength of the turning turbines beneath our feet.
After completing the tour we proceeded on our journey. The continuous incredible landscape although the same was ever-changing with each turn.
Back at the CG we enjoyed another pleasant evening enjoying the river view. Jewel was happy to have us back and enjoys running in the grass.
0 comments:
Post a Comment