Gorge Tour & Campfire Fun

We were up early this morning and off for me to lead a bus tour in the Columbia River Gorge for the Friends of Multnomah Falls volunteer group.  We boarded the bus in the outlet mall parking lot in Troutdale and pulled out promptly at 9 am. We headed West and crossed the I-205 bridge over the Columbia River into Washington State and then headed East towards Steigerwald Wildlife Preserve.  It was very pretty and quiet here, the pond there had some Canada Geese and a few ducks - a bigger lake was to the left of this.  The river is beyond with Oregon rising up on the other side of the river.

We then drove on to St. Cloud Day Use area where we all hiked down near the river's edge and enjoyed a century old fruit orchard, knowing that a family farm was here at one time and that they fed their family with this fruit.

Our next stop was Beacon Rock State Park.. we watched a pair of Osprey call to each other.  See the one below on top of a piling? 

Here is Beacon Rock.. it is the core of an ancient volcano. 

I took this shot from the dock of the park, it is a popular destination from boaters in the Portland area.  We actually took our sailboat through the Bonneville Dam lock one time and attended a cruise-in here with the Columbia Gorge Yacht Club. The big mountain to the right of Beacon Rock is Hamilton Mountain. 

Looking across to Oregon.. there is snow still on the cliffs of the gorge! 

This is our bus waiting for us, that is my sister Denise coming down the boat ramp. :-) 

Our next stop was our lunch destination at Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. I had to take a photo of our DEEEliscious salad of baby greens with Champagne Vinegarette   with toasted Hazelnuts.  Our main course was fabulous.. Carlton Farms Beef Stroganoff.  I forgot to take a photo, but oh my goodness, it was out of this world delish.  Great lunch.

The brightly lit dining room overlooking a lovely garden with ponds and a hot tub of the healing spring waters. 

Here is a group photo of us in front of the beautiful fireplace soaring to the vaulted ceiling. 

We listened to a presentation by the hotel woman in the great room and then she took us to see the pool and spa area.  Wow, this is gorgeous, my sister and I want to go and partake of the healing spring waters and enjoy the pool.   

There was a beautiful water feature in the front of the resort, and a bronze life size statue of 2 mountain goats. 

We then boarded the bus, headed to the Bridge of the Gods, crossed the Columbia River to Cascade Locks, Oregon and headed West back to our cars. 

It rained today, but we're Oregonians and take it in stride.  We still had a great day and learned a lot! :-)  This looking UP river from the bridge. 

Now.. hit rewind.. this was Monday.  Our son Travis invited us for baked salmon dinner.  Here is the welcoming committee.. :-)  And Travis' prized possession, a 1966 Ford Mustang GT Fastback.  It was his first car and he loves it, so do his boys.

After eating the delicious meal that Kristi made, Travis made a campfire in the back yard and used his knife to sharpen a stick and here is Caleb roasting a marshmallow.. under Grandpa's supervision. :-)

The marshmallow caught fire so Grandpa blew out the flames. hehe

Daddy filled up water balloons for the boys.. Hayden is proud of his.

So, Caleb wanted to show me his. :-)

And I had to show you a photo my daughter sent of our 2 granddaughters in their bright little gowns.. egads I miss them so much. 

Last but not least.. my blog buddy from England, Lucy from Lucy in the Sky blog received her package from me and I'm soooOOOoo pleased as she's very happy with her gifts.  Please visit her blog and see what I sent to her.  What a fun time we had with our swap! And now.. we're collapsed in our chairs watching the tube and catching up on Facebook and my favorite blogs.. and some Scrabble and Words With Friends thrown in.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)