After spending yesterday at sea level (literally), we decided you might
like to see the highest point in Oregon…Mt. Hood! It stands at 11,235 feet and
overlooks the Columbia River Gorge. I was told that on clear days you might be able to see
Mt. St. Helens in Washington, but it was anything but clear today! There were blizzard
like conditions, as I’m sure you can tell from the pictures. It was a really exciting
time.
We never did get to the summit but we did play in the snow for a little while. Once we got
tired, we had coffee at Timberline Lodge. The lodge was built in the 30’s under a
program initiated by Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt. It is a magical place!!!
We finished our day in Portland. The city hosts an open market for artists and craftsman
every weekend and I really enjoyed looking at all the cool stuff. The most interesting
thing I saw there, were neckties made out of wood! I know it sounds weird but they were
pretty cool. After eating in restaurant for the first time since we left, we visited
Powell’s Used Bookstore…this was easily my favorite thing on the trip.
Powell’s is the biggest bookstore I have ever been in…over 5 acres of books! I
bought several, including a photography book by Ansel Adams. Ansel Adams specializes in
black and white nature photography, I’m sure you have seen a picture of his at one
time or another.
We’re packing up our things right now and plan on heading towards Boulder and Ft.
Collins, Colorado. On the way we’ll be driving through Craters of the Moon, Ogden,
Utah and Dinosaur National Monuments. I’m a little disappointed because your Epals
won’t be in school, so we won’t get to meet them…we’ll be sure to do
that on the next trip!!!
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Useful Links
Mt. Hood
Ansel Adams
Columbia River Gorge
Portland
Crater of the Moon
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