8/30/2014

We decided to try to follow Historic Rt 30 from Troutdale, OR as far east as practical.  We found an amazing amount of waterfalls, very cool lookouts, mountains to drive up and scenery that is as pretty as anywhere.  As we drove Rt 30, I couldn't help thinking about the guys who drove this road in the 30's and the grin on their face as they did.  What a cool road!!  The folks who built it probably enjoyed their work too.  I often think about how much fun it is to build really cool stuff, roads, buildings, rockets, flying telescopes, International Space Stations, etc.  It is the same, whether it is small or large..it is fun.

The weather didn't always cooperate, but we had a fun day anyway.  Our chauffeur, I think, has a fun time too, driving to the top of mountains and back down, driving on a road built in the 30's with hairpin turns and wooden guardrails and stopping at the most inopportune moments so I can get a picture.  So our adventures make for fun days, stops to get ice cream, and visits to some of the coolest spots in America...nice.

Multnomah Falls is the most visited natural attraction in Oregon. Over 2.5 million visitors a year come from every part of the world to view the lush foliage, tall firs, and towering cliffs that form the spectacular backdrop to the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States. Multnomah Falls is the highest waterfall in the Columbia River Gorge with a total drop of 620 feet.

Steve & Barb Larson

Downriver

The view from Chantocleer Point

The ride up Larch Mountain was beautiful

You are supposed to see 5 mountain peaks from here

It was quite a climb from the parking lot

Can you see Mt Hood?  Me neither

The fog kept rolling in...so down we went.

Samuel Lancaster designed the cool road

The view from Crown Pointe

The bridge to Latourell Falls

Latourell Falls

Multnomah Falls

Horsetail Falls

Yep, that is the road we will drive on in a few minutes

The sun peeked out long enough to light up the wind mills