Although this is not the first time we have come through this area, it is the first time we've stopped to smell the flowers. We're camping in a park among the pines that normally would be wonderful except it has done nothing but rain. The "tree rain" that the wind blows onto the rig roof is not a soothing sleep sound!

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We decided that we weren't going to let the rain interfere too much with our exploring. We drove west to Troutdale via Interstate 84 and then took scenic Historic Route 30 east back to Mosier with many stops along the way.

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We were treated to numerous falls along the highway. Multnomah Falls plummets 620 feet from its origins on Larch Mountain and is said to be the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation.

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Our next stop was the Bonneville Lock and Dam, the first of eight federal locks and dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and dedicated in 1937 by President Roosevelt. This fish ladder is a way for the salmon to get by the dam on their migratory trip up river.

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As the fish come up the ladder, they pass through an area that is monitored by a human "fish counter" 16-hours a day. The counters job is to record not only what kind of fish pass through, but also whether it is a hatchery or wild one. We learned that the adipose fin is clipped off all hatchery fish which makes them easy to identify. It was very interesting watching the fish go by and be counted.

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Our drive today took us through an area called the Fruit Loop. The Hood River Valley has thousands of acres of orchards which produce some of the finest quality fruit in the world. Coming at this time of year, we missed the berry and cherry seasons but we're right on time for pears and some kinds of apples.

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If we weren't having all this rain, you would be able to see Mt. Hood in the middle of this photo.

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Driving along Highway 35 we came to a turnoff for Panorama Point. Not wanting to miss anything, we turned off, and were rewarded with this incredible view of the Hood River Valley.

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We've found so many wonderful lookout points to view the Columbia. Can you believe there was a patch of blue sky at this one! Rain, rain, go away, we want to go to Mt. Hood tomorrow (and see the mountain).

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We left the campground in the sun today. As we got closer to Mt. Hood, it got cloudier. We had one beautiful sighting of the snow-covered mountain but alas, we weren't on a part of the highway that allowed us to pull off. By the time we reached a safe turnoff, this was best photo we could get.

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The WPA built Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood's southern flank during the Great Depression. President Roosevelt felt that this area could use a year round lodge and was able to provide life sustaining jobs for over 500 men and women, many over the age of 55, and all in desperate need of employment. Natural resources were used where possible. This fireplace screen was constructed using railroad tracks and truck snow chains.

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We discovered this wonderful road to Lolo Pass but alas it was raining again. We enjoyed our drive but still didn't get to see majestic Mt. Hood. We will have to return another time.

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We crossed the Zigzag river numerous times on our climb to Lolo Pass and...

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...saw many nice waterfalls.

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We ended our adventure back at the Columbia River watching the kite surfers and sail boarders. Our reward for persevering through the last six days of rain was this wonderful rainbow over the kites of the surfers.

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