Mt. Hood
After leaving eastern Washington yesterday we awoke to a brilliant view of Mt. Hood as we descended through The Dalles Lock and Dam near the town of The Dalles. The alpine glow light was a nice shade of pink as we spent a few minutes marveling at the fresh snow that had fallen only a few hours earlier. The fresh coating gave it a larger than usual look.
When George Vancouver sent one of his officers up the Columbia to do some scouting, he began naming many of the features of the Cascades including the great pinnacle volcanic mountain that can be seen from many vantage points on the river. Admiral Hood was an enemy to the United States during the Revolutionary war between America and Great Britain. It is the highest point in the state of Oregon at 11, 235 feet.
We would be spending the day moving from the east side of the gorge to the west side. The Columbia River Gorge is a fascinating place of extremes; a dry east side, a wet west side, the low flat Columbia River surrounded by jagged high peaks on both sides. The barren eastern hills turning into a lush temperate rain forest in just a few dozen miles. All of these things make for a dramatic journey through the gorge and witnessing the great changes all around us.
Picturing in our mind the strength of the Columbia as it has managed to maintain a waterway through one of the great mountain ranges of the west; the Cascades, gives us respect for the great river of the west.
After leaving eastern Washington yesterday we awoke to a brilliant view of Mt. Hood as we descended through The Dalles Lock and Dam near the town of The Dalles. The alpine glow light was a nice shade of pink as we spent a few minutes marveling at the fresh snow that had fallen only a few hours earlier. The fresh coating gave it a larger than usual look.
When George Vancouver sent one of his officers up the Columbia to do some scouting, he began naming many of the features of the Cascades including the great pinnacle volcanic mountain that can be seen from many vantage points on the river. Admiral Hood was an enemy to the United States during the Revolutionary war between America and Great Britain. It is the highest point in the state of Oregon at 11, 235 feet.
We would be spending the day moving from the east side of the gorge to the west side. The Columbia River Gorge is a fascinating place of extremes; a dry east side, a wet west side, the low flat Columbia River surrounded by jagged high peaks on both sides. The barren eastern hills turning into a lush temperate rain forest in just a few dozen miles. All of these things make for a dramatic journey through the gorge and witnessing the great changes all around us.
Picturing in our mind the strength of the Columbia as it has managed to maintain a waterway through one of the great mountain ranges of the west; the Cascades, gives us respect for the great river of the west.
