Paddle Wheels and Waterfalls

After The Dalles, we continued down the Columbia River Gorge to Cascade Locks where we booked a two hour cruise on the paddle wheel boat the Columbia Gorge. When planning this trip we had wanted to get on the rivers as much as possible to place ourselves exactly where the Corps traveled, and see the scenery from their perspective. We have been able to do that on the Missouri River at the White Cliffs and Gates of the Mountain, The Snake River in Hells Canyon, and now 0n the Columbia River at Cascade Locks.

This boat is propelled solely by the paddle wheel, which is powered by an electric motor which is powered by a diesel engine. It is a very quiet and smooth set up.

Of course John had to visit the pilot house for a while.







This river provided a good source of salmon before the Europeans showed up. The rights to fish there are a little of that old life the Indians have been able to preserve. They still use platforms over the river to net, spear and catch salmon by hook and line.

The boat provides transportation to more than the paying passengers.

The paddle boarders rode the wake for quite some distance.

Gail and Doc enjoying the view

We passed under the "Bridge of the Gods" as did Charles Lindbergh in September, 1927. As seen by this old poster.

For a while we had a front row seat for a sailboat race.

After the cruise Doc waited patiently while we had lunch at the marina. John loved the steelhead sandwich.

The old highway 30 passes a number of incredible water falls on it's way west.

Horsetail Falls at 176 feet.

Multnomah Falls  at 620 feet, second highest in the United States.














We will spend the night at Troutdale, Oregon and Proceed on to the Pacific on the north side of the river in Washington state.