I needed to go to Portland by myself so I decided on the northern route along the Columbia River in Washington which is state highway 14. While you are only on the opposite side of the river and Interstate 84, Washington 14 is a much more relaxed, beautiful drive.
This farmer has it made...wheat and wind!
Just upstream from the John Day Dam there was a sign pointing to an old smelting plant called the Columbia Gorge Aluminum Plant. Apparently there is still a slight amount of pollution being carried downstream by the closed plant.
The John Day Dam is note worthy for a number of reasons. This is the
last built, hence the newest dam on the Columbia The John Day has the highest navigational lock lift (110 feet) in the United States and puts out a healthy amount of electricity via 16 hydro turbines. All the dams we have seen on the Columbia so far have a considerable amount of water flowing over its spillways. I am told this is normal in the spring time and early summer.
Our little bit of heaven on the river.
Our river site offers us a private fishing beach.
Watching boats run up and down.
And my favorite...watching and waving to the tugs as they go up river with the cargo they are carrying. (no, the tug has never acknowledged my waves)
Our first visitors, other than my son's family, was brother Joe and beautiful wife, Cindy.
Ah...the queen bee presiding over us with one of her favorite beverages.
No comments:
Post a Comment