Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is a situated about an hour and a half away from Portland. Last week John and I were lucky to take a short trip to see the spectacular waterfall inside the state park. The park contains several waterfalls, which we hope to explore someday when it's warmer. The main attraction and largest waterfall, South Falls, marks an extensive trail that loops around in a circle. South Falls was pretty easy to maneuver around and to view, yet the trails were slippery and somewhat icy. The best part about South Falls was being able to walk around and under the waterfall! Pictures do not do justice to the immense sensation of the water flowing over us. We had a spectacular time and next week I will be posting photos of the interesting forest-scape that surrounded the waterfall.

 

Columbia Gorge Hotel

Almost a full year ago, John and I headed to Portland from New York. The drive was very long, as anyone could imagine, but we had quite an adventure and I loved every moment of it. As we got closer to Portland around dusk driving West along I-84 and we passed a mysterious hotel. After several trips into the Gorge I became more fascinated with the hotel and we finally investigated it on my birthday. The Columbia Gorge Hotel features a small spa, restaurant, and very small gift shop. It was built in 1902 when roads weren't major highways, but politely paved roads. 

It's website reads, "To alert the hotel, the captains (from steam ships on the river) would sound the whistle once for each guest he had on board. Maids would then quickly make up the appropriate number of beds."

Today the hotel seems like it needs a push of energy to freshen it up. It had some great potential, but needed some updating. It's still a wonderful place to visit, and it's certainly a very scenic place for people to have weddings. Anyone who stops by is sure to sense it's powerful nostalgic pull to the past.