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I love driving through the Columbia River Gorge and when I do it, I have some favorite things I think about. I like visualizing Lewis and Clark paddling their canoes toward the ocean, seeing the Oregon Trail pioneers floating the last of their Eden-bound trails and watching Samuel Lancaster carefully laying out Old Highway 30 without disturbing the plants. My favorite story of course is about the taxpayers calling Vista House the million dollar outhouse when Oregon’s first roadside rest stop opened in the early 1900s.
Granted the Gorge is one of the most dramatic destinations in the Pacific Northwest (I think it is one of the best in the world), but it is a good place to let the imagination run wild.
Congress did a great thing when they designated the Columbia River Gorge as America’s National Scenic Area.
Next month (out December 15), the Country Traveler Online features the Bavarian-like village of Mt. Angel. Until then, explore, enjoy and happy traveling.
Jan Jackson |
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