Rollin' On the River

We went on a cruise on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge today - out of Cascade Locks.  I made the arrangements for the familiarization trip nearly 30 years ago and our volunteers for Vista House and Multnomah Falls are able to do this every year.  Last year we took our older grandsons and this year we took the littlest ones and their mom, Kristi.  We've have better weather, it was cloudy and coolish today, but what the heck, we had a great day!

Our DIL Kristi and Caleb, 4 and Hayden, 5 in the bow of the boat on the 2nd level, there are 3. 

The boys had a faboo time!  That is the Bridge of the Gods beyond. 

A shot of the Captain in the Wheelhouse. 

It's fun to stand above the moving paddle wheel and know it's moving us along the river. 

The Bridge of the Gods is really quite beautiful.  There is a legend that in ancient times there was a natural rock bridge over the river that the native peoples used.  There is a lot of skepticism on that legend. :-) 

Behind the little island covered with Cormorants is the back of Bonneville Dam. 

We passed rather closely to an Indian fishing platform - some guys were pulling up some big salmon.  Fishing rights were granted under treaties between the US Government and the local tribes. 

The weather was fair enough that a lot of people enjoyed being outside most of the 3 hours we were cruising along. 

:-) 

We bought the boys and Kristi each a hotdog - Caleb was yumming on his! 

Dayle and I took the boys up to the wheelhouse and the nice lady Captain let them steer. :-)  They wanted to blow the whistle but that didn't fly. :-) 

5 of the Vista House Volunteers dressed in period outfits - Hazel on the left and my old friend Diane on the right.  She and I were dairy goat 4-H leaders together for 5 years. 

Rollin' on the river.. my 2 little skippers. 

They have a photographer take photos as you board the ship and then she comes around with them for sale.  DIL and 2 kidlets. 

Our Multnomah Falls group.

We drove around the marina to where we like to park and enjoy the river - Dayle snapped this photo and the next one for me. 

When we bought our sailboat, Stargazer, we moored her here for 2 years.  We'd sail to a large protected cove upriver about a mile and drop anchor and enjoy the peace and quiet for days.  We'd have the hatch open over the bed and watch the stars and the moon out of the back companionway "door". 

We're home now and relaxing.  This having fun stuff is sure a lot of work. :-)  Have a great weekend!!  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)