Dan is lucky to be in a much cooler and prettier area for now. He has been trucking in the Washington and Oregon area this time out. I found some pictures on the internet of the area he is in right now. The place is Troutdale, Oregon. We are looking forward to when Dan comes home again for a few days........we miss him very much!
Visitors to Troutdale, Oregon will find a small town atmosphere and an historic downtown with restaurants, two historic museums, and specialty shops. The outlet mall at Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets® also has a wide array of shops.
As the Gateway to the Columbia Gorge, Troutdale has very special advantages for year-round recreation. Using Troutdale as the ideal starting point for your Gorge experience, take Exit 17 and follow the signs to the Historic Columbia River Highway. Stop in at the Visitor Center at the Chamber of Commerce for information and continue on the highway along the Sandy River Canyon to such sights as Crown Point, where you can overlook the western end of the Gorge. As you drive, view over eleven waterfalls including the famous Multnomah Falls, then experience the scenic wonder of the Oneonta Gorge. Once past this point, you can continue on I-84 into the Gorge and its many famous sights, which include Bonneville Dam, Cascade Locks, and further east to Hood River and The Dalles. If you cross to the Washington side of the gorge at Cascade Locks, you can visit the Interpretive Center.
Fishing spots are abundant in and around Troutdale. The Sandy River is considered to be the top producing steelhead stream in the state of Oregon, with great runs of spring and fall salmon. Drift boat and raft trips are available. The Columbia River has the largest runs of salmon and steelhead of any river in the continental United States, with populations of walleye, bass, shad and sturgeon.
Picnicking along the Sandy River offers beautiful scenery, swimming and trails for hiking. State parks such as Lewis and Clark offer boat ramps to the Sandy River, as does Dabney State Park.
Boating is very popular in the area. From Troutdale you can access the Sandy River and the Columbia River at Lewis and Clark State Park, Sundial Marina and Chinook Landing on the Columbia River.
Hiking along the trails in the Columbia River Gorge begins along Broughton Bluff in Troutdale at Lewis and Clark State Park. From there you can drive along the Scenic Highway towards the waterfall area where there are several great hiking trails for a full day's worth of exercise.
Windsurfing is available within an hour's drive from Troutdale in Hood River. Considered to be the windsurfing capital of the world, the Columbia River Gorge offers conditions that make an exciting adventure for the windsurfing enthusiast.
Museums in Troutdale are rich in the history of the early settlers of the Northwest. Harlow House Museum, part of the city park system, is located in a home built in 1900 by Fred E. Harlow, son of Captain John Harlow, Troutdale's founder. The contents of the house include household goods from the Harlow and other pioneer families, as well as many items donated by residents of the Troutdale area. The Harlow House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Behind the Harlow House you can see historic ruts made by the wagon wheels of early settlers.
The Historical Society also hosts the Troutdale Rail Museum, located on the Historical Highway in downtown Troutdale. The structure was built in 1907, and was the shipping site of carloads of fresh vegetables. The depot was given to Troutdale by Union Pacific Railroad in 1976, and was moved from its original site on the north side of the tracks to its present location. Inside, you will find many railroad artifacts dating from the 1800's and early 1900's.
Since it's just a short distance from Portland, Troutdale is also a staging ground for all the amenities that Oregon's "big city" has to offer. For recreation, shopping or history, Troutdale has the experience of a lifetime.
Me and my tween!
Tween and her silly cake.
She will have a better cake Saturday............
Ready to see what she got!
Mom picked up a comic book Bible in Florida.
Is there anything really in this bag??
This is what Dan and I got her...........Dinopets for Nintenfo DS.
And a little something from Grandpa Hewel and Grandma Liz!!
