Hello Autumn: Columbia River Gorge

The weather, apart from the brisk mornings, has been gorgeous all week. I crammed on Thursday with the usual promise that this would mean I’d have absolutely zero school-related work over the weekend. This method of self-motivation has worked quite nicely for me over the past several quarters. Having those weekends helped me to preserve some sanity during the toughest parts of the terms, including Info Hell.

Still, the beginning of the term is always hard because I would be struggling to get back into the pattern of dedicated studying after weeks of idle play. This weekend, however, I had promised the boyfriend a trip to the Columbia River Gorge and I didn’t want any schoolwork to be on my mind during this time. As the winter nears, so would endless days of rain and sleet. I wanted to take advantage of these last days of sun and blue sky.

from Women’s Forum viewpoint
to the right, you can see the Vista House at Crown Point
photo courtesy of boyfriend

The Columbia River acts as a natural border between Oregon and Washington. I-84 and the parallel Historic Columbia River Highway gives you a breathtaking views and viewpoints of the river throughout the trip.

I admit it. I was stalking this guy the whole time. I also felt up his muscle-bound broad back and quickly stammered, “Oh, excuse me! I slipped.”

View from the Vista House at Crown Point. I swear, I come here and to Multnomah Falls at least once a year. I never tire of the view from Crown Point.

Bridge near Latourelle Fall

Latourelle Fall
photo courtesy of boyfriend

Oregon is riddled with waterfalls, each one uniquely beautiful in its own way. I must have traveled the Gorge at least a couple dozen times and this is my first time seeing Latourelle. I certainly did not expect to see this amazing rock formation.

Ugh. Sorry about the poor quality (thank you, photobucket!) and the awful watermark I had to put in the ones I took.

You come across quite a number of waterfalls driving along the Historic Highway alone. With that and the stunning views of the river to the other side, the drive is a must for anyone who visits Oregon.

The boyfriend was most eager to visit Eagle Creek to check out Punchbowl Falls. I was warned that it would involve hiking. WHAT?!

photo courtesy of boyfriend

This was a TRAPPPP!

If I had known that the hike would involve ridiculously narrow climbs necessitating cable handrails, I might have chained myself to the car. Twice, we came across cable-rails, loose rocks, the urge to look over the edge into the never-ending drop below and, of course, the ensuing wish that you hadn’t looked down in the first place. Also, WTF WAS I THINKING?! What on earth did I inhale that day to think that a two-mile hike was a piece of cake? I normally dread two-mile hikes. That’s right. I’m a pansy. Don’t judge me.

When I approached the second course of cable rails and narrow loose-rocked ledge, I just about threw a childish fit and demanded the car keys. I was going to go back. The boyfriend quietly fished out the keys but the pained look in his eyes made me feel awful. I thought of how much he loved hiking with me and how much he had been looking forward to coming here and I had to give him back the damned keys.

photo courtesy of boyfriend

The view alone would have been worth it. What really made it worth it, though, was when we finally cleared the trail and the boyfriend excitedly ran across the bank of rocks to the water and gazed around, his whole body pronouncing his excitement.

Okay, I realize I made him sound like a puppy-dog that finally got out of the car at the park, but you should have seen how cute he looked. I know this sounds really mushy but, at that moment, I felt like my overwhelming love for him had suddenly rejuvenated every tired muscle in my body. I vomited in my throat as I wrote that last sentence.

It was much too cold that day to be wading in the water, so we couldn’t go deep into the pool to get a closer view of the waterfall nestled in its rounded bowl. I can’t wait to come back in the summer, though, when the hippies come out to bathe… okay, ew, nevermind.

look! a water nymph! ha ha
photo courtesy of boyfriend

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