Columbia River Gorge

I drove to Columbia River Gorge on Memorial day. The trip was very, very wet. But it was worth it. It also gave me a chance to visit Mark Rabiner in Portland.

Columbia River forms the border between Oregon and Washington. Along the historic Hwy 30 on the Oregon side there are quite a few waterfalls. Latourell Falls are the first ones you meet going east on Hwy 30.

Latourell Falls. To make this shot, I had to climb on some algae covered rocks to get partly behind the waterfall. Doing so I realized that rocks that look slippery, usually are. As I climbed back to the official path, I slipped on a rock, sat on my butt, and slid down a few feet. Fortunately neither me nor my equipment was hurt in the fall. But now I had about nine months worth of algae growth stuck to the back side of my shorts. Fortunately I had a spare pair of pants in the car... :-)

The next waterfall is Wahkeena Falls.

Multnomah Falls attract the most visitors. Maybe it's because the waterfall is the second-highest non-seasonal waterfall in the nation. With its 642 feet it is also quite impressive. At the base of the waterfalls is a lodge with a really cozy, not too pricey, restaurant.

This guy obviously loves his dog. I could not resist the photo opportunity. Funky skin tones courtesy Fuji Velvia.

So... This is how clouds are made.

Columbia River Gorge from the Washington side (along Hwy 14).