Bonneville Dam, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
The Pacific Northwest is closer to where we live than most of the other places we have visited, yet we had not seen most of it. We were to have gone there on our 2012 cross-country journey but had run out of time. This year, we set aside one month to see some of the highlights. Since we were very close to the 4th of July weekend, we decided to go to Vancouver first. After that, we planned to drive unhurriedly through Washington, Oregon, and Northern California on our way home, taking scenic byways whenever possible. Why not be in the USA on Independence Day? As much as we love fireworks, we prefer to avoid traffic jams and overcrowded campgrounds, so we took the unpatriotic option..
Our route to from San Francisco to Vancouver BC, Canada
From San Francisco, we drove to our private “campground” in Grass Valley, then continued north to Portland, Oregon. Although we planned to visit Portland on our way back, there was time to stop for brunch and a leisurely visit with our friends Beth and Richard. Beth and I have known each other since 6th grade and had last seen one another in 1962 when we graduated from high school. How fortunate for us that we haven’t changed much and could easily recognize each other! We had a wonderful trip down Memory Lane, reminiscing on the old days and catching up on the last 52 years. From there, we turned east to visit the picturesque Columbia River Gorge. This amazing canyon was created by the Columbia River and forms the boundary between the states of Oregon and Washington. Along the way, we enjoyed spectacular vistas, waterfalls, and the fascinating Bonneville Dam. We went to the Visitor Center to learn how the dam produces hydroelectric power, as well as how it protects fish and wildlife. The most interesting part was watching the native salmon and steelhead trout swim up the fish ladders on their journey upstream to spawn.
Moving on, we crossed the border into Washington. Suddenly, the air became hot, dry and windy. It looked like the deserts of Nevada and the Southwest, a big surprise for us! This area is known as the Yakima Nation, home to the Native Americans who lived here in pre-Columbian times. A must-see here is the town of Toppenish, whose motto “where the West still lives” is well deserved. There are 69 colorful and historically accurate murals around town, each depicting an aspect of life between 1840-1940. A new mural is added each year, after community members meet to select the topic. There are covered wagon tours which transport visitors to these works of art. As usual, though, we walked until the 90°F (32°C) heat got the better of us and we decided it was time for lunch! The Visitor Center had recommended the restaurant in the Yakima Nation Cultural Center, which, unfortunately, was closed, and we were advised to go to the buffet at their nearby casino.. We couldn’t believe the array of every kind of food that was available there, and Andre stocked up on a supply of delicious chocolate chip cookies for the road! Then we were on our way north to Vancouver.
One of many murals on display in the town of Toppenish, Washington