Once we left the Portland area we were in totally new parts of the country for us. A beautiful morning for the drive along the river stopping to see a couple of sights as we drove east. Our first stop was at Cascade Locks, only 20 minutes from our campsite. The river was calm and so wide. The locks no longer exist due to the dam further up the river but we could see where they once helped move ships and cargo westward.
Check out the beautiful bridge in the distance called the Bridge of the Gods spanning the wide river from Oregon to Washington.
Along the side walls of the old locks are platforms for the Indian dip net fisherman. No one was fishing when we arrived but the ladders and huge nets were sitting there ready for action!
Parked nearby was the Sternwheeler ready for a cruise along the river. It goes out twice a day at 11:00 and 1:30 but we had a long distance to make this day so we passed on the trip.
In the park we also saw this beautiful statue of Sacajawea pointing the way west.
Our next stop was The Dalles and a visit at the Fort Dalles Historical Museum. There is only one remaining building from the fort built in the 1860s, the home of the fort's surgeon. We were fortunate that the volunteer at the museum that day was excited to have visitors, as the museum's off the path a bit, but worth the visit. She walked us all over the property and showed us not only the house but the barn housing different antique wagons and vehicles. We ended up with a personal tour of the Anderson Homestead which was moved to this new location. Built in 1865 by Swedish immigrant, Lewis Anderson, with hand hewn logs, the house and barn were dismantled log by log and moved 25 miles to the location at the museum.
Back on the road we headed to Pendleton, OR before leaving the Columbia River and driving south to our campsite for the next few nights, Immigrant Springs State Park. Highway 395 climbs up a very steep grade so we took it slowly and finally got to the top and a change of terrain. We left the hot dry valley for below for forested hillsides and a cooler temp. We picked a campsite and enjoyed the setting but soon learned that being so close to the highway would be constant truck engine noise 24 hours a day, not a pleasant thing. We took off everyday and did different outings but I resorted to ear plugs to sleep at night.
We took a day trip about 85 miles south to see The Little Alps of Oregon at Wallowa Lake and the darling artsy village of Joseph. Beautiful park, nice big sites and a wonderful setting on the lake, perfect campground but a long ride into the park. The 2 lane highway follows Hells Canyon Scenic Biway and a lovely drive. Would be easy to do in the motorhome.
The "Little Alps" sit at the south end of the lake. Beautiful!
We took a nice walk along the river and sat for a while to watch as salmon were spawning nearby.
As we left the lake we drove back into the town of Joseph to enjoy the life size bronze sculptures set on every corner.
Our favorite, Chief Joseph, was simple and beautifully created.
After a walk around town it was time to stop at the local brew pub for a cool drink before returning back to our campsite.
Our third day in this eastern part of Oregon was spent seeing the city of Pendleton...and the woolen mill, of course where I chose a beautiful wool blanket for our MH. The factory tour at the mill is amazing, you really see the production of blankets and fabrics being made on some of the original machines, and we were this close to it all!
From the woolen mills we next stopped at the Pendleton Round-Up Museum...never thought there would be much to see but we were surprised and once again given a personal one-on-one tour of the collection including the story of this famous horse, War Paint.
The Pendelton Round-Up is held the second weekend each September and how sad we were that we were a week too early to take in all the festivities! It sounds like such a fun time to enjoy a true cowboy experience. We definitely will put it on a future plan.
Our last stop was a tour of the Native American Tamastslikt Cultural Museum, a stunning collection of art and history of the native people, Umatilla tribe.
We went back into town to take a walk along Pendleton River Parkway which follows the Umatilla River. Loved this sign along the way...
and the city has custom decorated giant boots in all different places along "The Boot Trail"
We stayed in town that evening for a delicious steak dinner at Hamley's Steakhouse before going back for our last campfire at Immigrant Springs State Park.
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