AOSA 2010 - The Columbia Gorge

Wind Farms

Combine the most beautiful scenery with some good company and an absolutely perfect day of weather and you have the makings of a very successful road trip.  The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most scenic places on earth and our weather was the rarest of the best on the this second day of November, 2010. Sunny and warm with only a hint of a breeze.  The windmills on the ridges around the edges of the gorge were barely moving.

Ritzville Main Street

The sun shone warm our faces as we drove the three hours from Spokane to the town of Pasco near the beginning of the gorge.  We stopped first in a little town called Ritzville just an hour out of town.  We found the historic downtown section and a nice little grocery store where we were able to buy some supplies for the day.  It was the only place open on the whole street. 

The town was established by nurseryman and florist, Philip Ritz.  We found his statue on Frontier Square.  After a nice walk around town, we headed down route 395 for Pasco, one of the Tri-Cities at the bend in the Columbia River.

First View of the Columbia River

Just outside of town on Route 12, we got our first glimpse of the Columbia River.  We all thought it was quite majestic and beautiful as we stopped and snapped our first batch of pictures.  I have been through the gorge once before and I told my travel companions, Michael Nichols, Judy Burnett, and Gretchen Jensen that it would only get better, more majestic and rugged, and more beautiful as we would make our way west.

Colors on the River

As we travelled farther west my prediction proved true.  We traveled on Highway 14 on the Washington side of the gorge.  This was the "high" side and the scenery was magnificent.  Around each bend and over each hill the views simply took our breath away.  The joke of the day was "Stop the car! There's another photo op!"  The Columbia River itself is a deep blue, matching the cloudless sky.  The mountains, rocks and ridges added contrasting colors, while the leaves on the grapevines, and islands of trees add some magnificent fall colors to the scenes.

After a quick lunch at Paterson's Diner, we were back on the road for The Dalles.  This was our turning point.

Our destination for the day.

We started out at 8:00 this morning and arrived here at around 2:45.  We crossed the river and drove home to a fine dinner at Shenanigan's Irish Pub.  Another great day!

Tomorrow we'll head northwest to the Grand Coulee Dam and surrounding area.  We'll see what we can find!

More pictures can be found on my Spokane Gallery - Columbia Gorge.

Michael, Gretchen and Judy.