King of the Roads

Sept 18/14 Weather  77, night 54   The sun is covered in smoke from nearby forest fire in Estacada, 4000 acres.  Oddest feeling while being somewhere we have had.....  You feel somewhat threatened since you can physically see the smoke in the sky.  As the crow flies it is about 30 miles from our camp. 

Looking straight up at the Sun covered in smoke

From Cascade Locks we head West on the "King of the Roads"; historic hwy 30 the Columbia River Scenic byway.  It is such a treat to ride an old 1913 road (narrow still but repaved) at the end there is series of what’s known as “figure eight loops” that gracefully wind down toward the river.  The journey is along the Gorge with roadway white picket fences or stone guard walls that were typical of the highway’s exquisite craftsmanship in those days.  

along the hwy

Historic Hwy 30

Lancaster;  the engineer that designed it "did not want to mar what God had put there".   The wonderful thing is that Oregon has saved it and built the Interstate separate from this great road.   So at 25 mph you just cruise back in time and take in all the overlooks of the Columbia River Gorge and the many (7) waterfalls, as well with many hikers and bicyclers! 

Multnomah 2 Tiered Falls

Rosey at the bottom of Horse Tail Falls

The jewel at the end of it is a 1918 rest stop observatory -   The Vista House at Crown Point .   By far the fanciest rest stop we have had the pleasure of using!!!

Can you imagine driving up to The Vista House in 1918???

Vista House - all marble and stained glass inside

View from Vista House 733 feet above the Columbia River Gorge