Today our journey took us through the Columbia River Gorge where the states of Oregon and Washington share the river as a boundary. This valley is as lush and beautiful a piece of the country as one could possibly create in a dream. Leaving the cities -- Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Vancouver and Portland -- behind and turning east along the route of the Columbia River Highway brought the deep green pines, majestically grounded beings of the earth, back into view.
I loved driving through the woods again. We couldn't resist a short byway through the woods to Multnomah Falls. The road was narrow and winding, but the prize was the falls.
According to a Native American legend, some people see the face of a beautiful Indian princess who sacrificed herself here for her people in these falls.
Next to Yosemite Falls, these are often claimed to be the highest falls in the United States, although Washington believes it has higher falls in some obscure locations.
How amazing! The roar of the falls and the soft mist of the spray immediately transported me to another world where I stood in awe of nature. Moments like this one make travelling so worth it.
Driving along the river, we see a gorgeous view of the Gorge around every bend.
In fact, you can see that the view behind is just as great as the view ahead!
This Columbia River Gorge was the route of Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean 200 years ago and later an important transportation and migration route. We saw about four hydroelectric dams on the Columbia. From its headwaters in Canada, the river actually has fourteen different electricity generating dams, three in Canada and the rest in Washington and along the Washington/Oregon boundary. 
Nearing the eastern side of the gorge, we came through the Dalles, a town which is known for important geological data showing habitation some 10,000 years ago -- and for being a Google location. For those of us who enjoyed the book or movie, "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," by Ken Kesey, we see the escaping Chief running through the Dalles in the early morning light after he find the strength to rise above the intimidation of Nurse Ratched who has brought about the lobotomy of his pal, 'Red' McMurphy, symbolically triumphing over all of the corruption and hypocrisy in the societal institutions of the fifties and sixties.
Miles beyond, we start our climb back into the mountains.
I notice that I feel light-hearted, anticipating the familiar sights to come. These are the Blue Mountains that flank La Grande, Oregon, where we will spend the night.
after watching the sun sink behind the foothills.
And tomorrow is a new day.
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