October 19, 2009 – Columbia Gorge, Waterfalls, and Bonneville Dam

We decided to stay another day in this area and see some of the sights.

A little info on the Gorge:

“Forty million years ago, eruptions from the Cascade Mountains laid down lava beds and mudflows up to two miles thick.  Then about 15,000 years ago near the end of the ice age, an ice dam broke and sent water up to 1200 feet deep through the lava beds, scouring a corridor that formed the Columbia River and it’s towering cliffs, creating one of the world’s greatest concentration of waterfalls” (And I have some pictures – :-)).

“The Columbia River Gorge is the only sea level passage thru the Cascade Mountains.  On the Oregon side, the cliffs rise an average of 1500’-3000’ above the mile high river.”

“The Historic Columbia River Highway, dedicated in 1916, with its intricate stonework, graceful bridges and viaducts, was heralded in its day as one of the greatest engineering feats of the modern age.”

Since the Historic Highway was next to the state park, that was the first thing on our tour:

The Highway:

Horsetail Falls:

The tunnel at Oneonta Gorge:

 

Multnomah Falls – this waterfall is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation – 620 feet:

 

The path to the bridge:

We spent some time at the Visitor Center, seeing the exhibits and learning about the Gorge.

After lunch, we went to Bonneville Dam.  Bonneville Lock and Dam was the first federal lock and dam built on the Columbia and Snake Rivers for flood control and navigation.  When we arrived at the visitor center we took the tour of the powerhouse.

 

The fish ladder:

From inside – how about this sturgeon – he was HUGE!:

 

After the tour, we spent some time at the center – lots of neat things to see, including a great movie.  We also made a stop at the locks and the visitor center there:

 

It was a pretty great day.

This is another area that will remain on my bucket list – so much to see and do.   But we have decided to move on south to warmer weather.

We finished the evening with another great campfire and I will leave you with one more picture of the day:

Until tomorrow.