The Great Northwest: Columbia River Gorge

For weeks the family has been saying, “See you in the Gorge.”  And that is where we gathered on the enormous river, wider than many lakes, that divides Washington and Oregon and that carried Lewis and Clark down to the Pacific. 

Here we are ready to raft the White Salmon, class 2 to 4 with a class 5 falls for those brave enough.  Front row:  Don, me, niece Sarah.  Back row: my brother Chuck, nephew Bill, his wife Krista, son Troy and his girlfriend Meghan.  

Unfortunately none of us had a waterproof camera, but the 2 ½ hour trip was wild and exciting.  We alternately floated and paddled like crazy surrounded by thick forests.  Troy, Chuck, Bill, and Krista did the falls and lived to brag.
A rescue on that falls happened days later.  http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/caught-tape-rafting-rescue-video-shows-heroism-action-19710528#.UewnE7DCUCg.facebook

Multnomah Falls, the iconic old original attraction in the Gorge dates back to 1914 with its original lodge.

Vista House at Crown Point high above the river was built in 1917 for travelers to rest and enjoy the view.