Multnomah Falls...our destination this morning

 

 

Friday, September 20, 2013...

Voodoo Doughnuts are served...YUM!

 

Psychedelic design on top of a luscious lemon doughnut

Voodoo Doll Doughnut

Mmmm bacon topped, maple frosted doughnut

 

 

We awakened to a somewhat cooler, foggy morning with coffee and Voodoo Doughnuts ready to eat.  Yummy!  We had decided to drive up the Historic Columbia River Gorge, Highway 30.  So after breakfast, Sharon, Pat & I headed out taking exit 17 off I-84 to begin the first leg of our journey to the historic Vista House.  The fog was beginning to clear as we arrived to witness the spectacular Columbia River Gorge below us.  We headed to the museum and gift shop in the lower level of Vista House where we found some great buys...Multnomah Falls framed photo, post cards, an Oregon mug with a petroglyph design of a wolf's head for me. 

 

Beautiful Vista House

A view from the Vista House

 

Winding stairs leading from Hwy 30 to the Vista House

 

Columbia River Gorge as viewed from Vista House

 

 

After taking a few more photos we got in the car to continue the drive on beautiful Hwy 30 to our first waterfall encounter, the ribbon-like Latourell Falls.  Next were Wahkeena Falls, which consists of a series of cascading falls, tumbling from the very edge of the hilltop.    At last we came to the amazing Multnomah Falls.  Multnomah drops a total of 620 feet, with the first drop, 542 feet, off a basaltic cliff, then plunging another 69 feet from the pool at the foot of the first drop.  The arched "Simon Benson" bridge (completed in 1914) allows you to cross at the lower level, allowing you to stand in awe of the beautiful falls.  Multnomah is one of the most photographed falls in the United States and is the 2nd highest falls in the USA.  The Cascadian design, stone and timber Multnomah Lodge was completed in 1925 at a cost of $40,000.  It now houses a delightful restaurant, museum, gift shop and espresso bar & bakery. 

 

 

 

After standing in awe of Multnomah Falls for quite a while, we headed up the stairs of the lodge for lunch.  Pat had the BBQ ham with a mac & cheese topping sandwich.  Sharon had a Reuben, while I enjoyed an Oregon beef meatloaf sandwich with a wonderful tomato/onion sauce.  Following our delicious lunch, we went briefly to the gift shop and museum.  We headed back Hwy 30 to the first I-84 exit and headed back toward the condo and Jantzen Island.  Sharon & Pat ran into the Safeway Market to pick up a few things, then we got home in time to start a load of laundry before drifting off for a nap.  Pat had zonked out just as his brother John and Janice returned with their friends, Ron & Dollyann Huff, from Knoxville, TN.  After introductions, I shared some photos of the Columbia River Gorge and Falls, then headed back to bed for a nap.

 

 

 

 

Plaque to honor Simon Benson for all his contributions

 

The wooden bridge was replaced in 1914 thanks to
philanthropist, Simon Benson

 

 

 

Cascadian design, Multnomah Lodge

 

Vista House from I-84 as we head back to the condo

We all got up around 4:00 PM to get ready for a dinner party at the home of Megan's mother, Alice Savage.  Ready to go, I programmed the address in the GPS, and we were on our way.  We drove right to Alice's lovely duplex home, and headed up the staircase to be welcomed by Alice.  We were introduced to many friends and family members who had come from far and near for Megan & Rick's wedding.  We spent a lot of time in conversation with Alice's brother, Chuck and his wife, Alicia, from California.  The dinner buffet was quite interesting, with an array of chicken and vegetable kabobs, Lebanese salad, amazing puff pastry with onions & spinach, and chewy cookies for dessert.  We sat on Alice's lovely landscaped patio talking until 8:00 PM.  Megan had come down to spend time with us and brought the beautiful album/gift that her grandfather, Frank Savage, had given her.  Grandpa Frank had lovingly put together photos and memories of his & Ruth's (Megan's grandmother) wedding day...wishing Rick and Megan the same, wonderful married life.  It was a great way to end the special pre-wedding dinner and get together.  We expressed our thanks and headed back to the condo.  Tomorrow's the big wedding day!

 

Alice Savage's beautiful Portland duplex

John & Janis Savage

Uncle Pat & Aunt Sharon Savage

Megan and her dad, John Savage