Leaving Portland made for a long day. Not only were we saddened for leaving Jason, the drive up the Columbia River Gorge on I-84 is always an arduous drive. This is made especially taxing by the fact that we are driving a large box. However, the scenery as you leave Portland is spectacular.
The Columbia River Gorge
As you are leaving town the view of Mount Hood lets you be a bit more accepting of the traffic. Soon, as you travel east you come to the gorge proper, defined by the high bluffs along side of the river. When we drove this in 2017 it was right before the terrible fires in the gorge. The scars of those fires remain today, but life is returning to the forest and things are green, mostly.
The wind was really whipping along this route.
As you are leaving town the view of Mount Hood lets you be a bit more accepting of the traffic. Soon, as you travel east you come to the gorge proper, defined by the high bluffs along side of the river. When we drove this in 2017 it was right before the terrible fires in the gorge. The scars of those fires remain today, but life is returning to the forest and things are green, mostly.
The change in the landscape was dramatic.
The travel brochures of Oregon never mention this part..just lush trees, Mt Hood and a beautiful coastline, all of which is awesome and true. But they should say, "oh, by the way, if you are traveling in eastern Oregon, there is nothing there". We still like watching the changing landscape.
Vast landscape of Oregon
We arrived in Echo, Oregon late afternoon as we didn't leave Jason's until noonish. The Echo winery we stayed at was very accommodating. We each got refreshments and sat in the shade and had a nice breeze, it was 93 degrees, so the shade really helped.
At the vineyard, thinking of Jason
We got a plate of veggies and dip and more refreshments. We chatted with the owner for a while before moving the Doodle around back behind the barn for the night. We found a nice level spot, made a small supper and turned in early. We miss you Jay. . .
The view from behind the barn at the winery.
Below is a gallery from the day
