A Much Needed Getaway

For Christmas the kids got us gift certificates for Skamania Lodge (thank you!), an upscale resort in the Columbia Gorge. After nearly nine months, we finally got a chance to use them. Mom has been burned-out from taking care of Grandma Hazel. She desperately needed a break. After what seemed like months, we finally settled on a weekend where we could both get away.

It was a wonderful trip! It's been ages since just the two of us were able to both be gone from work, church, grandma, other obilgations, etc. at the same time. We first drove to Hood River and took a four-hour train excursion on the Mt. Hood Railway up the Hood River valley to Parkdale, about two-thirds of the way to Mt. Hood. This is something we've both wanted to do. The train follows the Hood River through the many orchards that are heavy with fruit this time of year (mostly pears and apples). Our traincar was half full of Japanese tourists which was quite amusing to listen to and watch. In Parkdale, a town a lot like a Aurora, we had lunch of local fruit and Tillamook ice cream cones, and visited a museum. The sway of the traincar was very relaxing and most of the passengers were subdued or asleep on the 90 minute ride back down.

When we got back to Hood River, we drove out into the countryside to some lavender and fruit farms and got local produce. We returned and walked around the vibrant downtown area looking for a place to have an early dinner. Unfortunately, all the restaurants we were interested in didn't open until later. So we finally found a place that served crepes, which sounded good. When we went to order, they said the kitchen closed for dinner and crepes were only available for luunch. Rats! Who's ever heard of a restaurant with a smaller dinner menu? Tired of walking and as this was a pub, we settled for fish and chips and a salmon burger while others around us in the outdoor eating area guzzled great quantities of beer.

We then drove down the gorge to Skamania Lodge. Crossing the Columbia River at the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, we had to wait for what seemed like an hour while the lady in front of us searched her purse, her vehicle, under the seats, etc. to find enouhg change for the $1.00 toll. Cars behind us started honking. Finally she poured a handful of change into the hand of the tolltaker. When I handed him a $1 bill, he smiled big and said with relief, "Thanks!" with much emphasis.

The lodge is nestled inthe trees above the Columbia. It is a beautiful lodge and the room was spacious. After a stroll around the grounds and out on the golf course, we spent most of the time just sitting outside on a very warm night watching the view and the people until after dark. One lady gushed and cooed over a chihuahua puppy someone had for what seemed like forever. Enough already! Later, we saw and heard the same lady using the same words and tone to gush and coo over a baby for about the same amount of time. No difference!

The next morning we had the full blown brunch, which is more food than anyone could eat. It is a spendy meal, but to die for, which we practically did after gorging ourselve on the dessert buffet after gorging on the breakfast buffet. I could have eaten a hundred huckleberry creme brulees.

Fully sated, we headed up the gorge on the Washington side of the Columbia, something I had never done. The two-lane road is certainly different than the freeway on the Oregon side. there are some interesting viewpoints to see the majesty of the Columbia gorge.

We went to the Maryhill museum, which is full of art. I had always wanted to go there as it is literally out in the middle of nowhere. Mom had been there in grade school. It was facinating, and had a wonderful traveling exhibit of Ansel Adams photography. It is quite a place and well worth the modest $7 admission.

Just down the road is a replica of Stonehenge, built by the same man who built the Maryhill mansion. He is buried at this site just off from the monument. Interesting place. Again, not near anything else, just there, overlooking the mighty Columbia.

We crossed over the river and headed home making a stop at the familiar Bonneville dam. We spent a great deal of time at the fish hatchery watching the seventy-year-old, 600 pound sturgeon in the pond and salmon packed into the returning gates ready to spawn.

All and all it was a relaxing trip to a part of Oregon and Washington neither of us had spent a lot of time in. Unfortunately we are back to the daily grind and now it is a distant memory. We need another, soon. Thanks, kids, for facilitating for a wonderful weekend!