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| no partners | | Yep, another scenic drive, but I also did 3 hikes to chase waterfalls on this day as well. Those will be separate. The goal of this trip was to kind of be organized about it. I was going to start from the west on the Oregon side and work my way east. A couple of heavier weather days I had to improvise, but today was going to get back to the original plan. The first section from west to east is known as the waterfall corridor which includes Multnomah Falls, which I did right away the first day just to try to avoid the crowds and it was at the top of my list anyway. The waterfall corridor encompasses a drivable section of the old Highway 30 from the town of Corbett going east to just past Ainsworth State Park. There are other waterfall sections east of this section, all the way to basically Mosier, but I would need a couple of more weeks to get that all in and it wasn't happening this trip.
As I started west, I took an off-ramp to Rooster Rock State Park to check it out. The park wasn't closed, but although it was a pretty big park, there was no one there. Apparently people visit it when there's a beach and with the Columbia River running high, there was no beach. At first I was unimpressed, but after driving the whole thing, I discovered that one end had a pretty cool little inlet pond from the Columbia River. And an active Osprey nest. So I spent a bit of time there.
Then it was off to the west end and a hike. After that hike, I stopped at a roadside pull-out for a quick visit to Shepperd's Dell Natural Area to check out that set of falls which is literally 100 foot walk. But I had gotten a hint from a local to check out the other side of the bridge and yep, another waterfall right next to the bridge. Found a use path and explored to the base for a few minutes and then on to another hike. Historic Highway 30 was a really pretty drive through here.
After two more hikes, I had to do some driving back and forth to hit Benson State Recreation Area. It's only accessible from a certain off-ramp a certain way. As much as it was kind of pain to get to, it was worth checking out. 2 Lakes, a creek, lots of mature trees with some blooming and the only place where you can actually see Dalton Falls high up on the cliffs above. No foot access to that one. I didn't even know it was there until I looked up and you can only see it from one place in the park.
By the time I got done at Benson, it was nearing sunset and I made a quick decision to drive all the way back west and further to the Vista House. It has a reputation for being the best view of the Gorge, so it just seemed like a no brainer to hit it and hope for a nice sunset. It was a nice drive and even though the sunset wasn't much, it was worth the trip. And apparently half of the tourists AND locals think so too. Busy place and it seemed like a lot of locals use it as a hangout for sunset. Lots of socializing for hours going on. Although Vista House was closed by the time I got there, it's a pretty cool historical building. Worth the visit and I might have to go back sometime and actually tour the inside. Another rainy day plan.  After the blue hour was done, it was back to Viento and camp at another late hour. Another good Gorge day in the books. |
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| Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!" |
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