On the road for history, for art, and for adventure.
Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler Riding up river on a sternwheel paddle boat is as cool as it sounds. So is getting a full view of Portland and its bridges. One of the Willamette River winter boat cruises for nearly 40 years has been aboard the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. Boats were once the only way to cross... Continue Reading →
Picture perfect, like a scene on the front of a jigsaw puzzle box. A trip to the Cedar Creek Grist Mill in Woodland, Washington lets people walk into that picture. I had no idea what the mill looked like until I drove right up to it. The narrow, woodsy road leading down to the creek... Continue Reading →
Given to the state of Washington as a gift from Otto and William Studhalter, the Tilton River State Park plaque is like a gift tag, a “To” and “From." The plaque and trail head are on the north side of highway 508 in Lewis County. But, what is the gift of land? What does... Continue Reading →
Port Orford Jail, Port Orford Oregon
The state’s smallest lighthouse sits on the Columbia River’s largest island, Sauvie Island, and is only one of two on the river. A seven-mile, round trip hike along the river leads hikers out to Warrior’s Head lighthouse. So named by a small party from the 1792 George Vancouver expedition who found themselves surrounded by 23... Continue Reading →
“Please insert twenty-five cents to complete your call.” “Operator. How may I help you?” Dial tones. Silvery, square buttons with numbers that click smoothly when you press them. Don’t dial wrong, or you can’t get your quarter back. These are bits of nostalgia that we come across less and less now that pay phones are... Continue Reading →
Remember the jump scene? Of course we remember the jump! Butch and Sundance trapped on a cliff, our hearts racing, wondering what will happen next to the dashingly handsome, law-breaking adventurers. Then, we caught our breath as they jumped off the cliff into the river below. Their escapades were in fact filled with lots of... Continue Reading →
Stand Where They Stood… at their battle Often standing where they stood is quite humbling and is cause for reverence. It happens to me in a place where my written word is merely comment and could never capture the true immensity of the time, place, or event. In southeastern Montana, on the Crow Reservation lies... Continue Reading →
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