A Pretty, Chilly, Birthday Part 1

Dear Liza,

Grandpa Nelson’s birthday was Monday, and we had a nice day.

Puzzles, cards, and candy… for the big kid

It was cool and brightly overcast, the perfect day for a day trip. We loaded up the car with snacks and headed up the Columbia River Gorge.

We were surprised at how many folks were out, since it was a weekday! But most everyone was masked and kept their distance, so we were fine. We took the “Old Columbia Highway”, which was built in the 1910s and offers spectacular views of the Gorge.

The Vista House was built in 1918 as a visitors center, and is referred to as The Crown Jewel of the Highway, but is closed during Covid. Still, you can’t beat the perspectives.

Looking up the Columbia through an arch in the wall

We continued up the Gorge to Latourell Falls. This is one of many beautiful pieces of land along the Highway that was donated by folks who wanted to see the beauty of the Gorge protected from mining or other development.

I was delighted to see that the scars from the horrible fires of 2017 have mostly healed, and spring growth is exuberant. At Latourell Falls, the 1920 era wooden bridge, damaged by the fire, was re-built in its original style.