Columbia Gorge Waterfalls

I decided to go back to the Columbia Gorge along the Columbia River as there is so much to see and do in that area.  My rving friend, Malia, was staying in Troutdale so we made plans to get together to explore that area.   We stopped to visit this post office, located along the Gorge.  It is the smallest post office in the U.S.A. 

Next, we stopped at the Vista House in Crown Point OR, which  was built in 1918 as a rest stop observatory for the travelers on the old Columbia River Gorge Highway.  This is the view from the historical house.

This is the ceiling of this house.  Lots of marble was used to construct this building and you have to wonder how the construction workers were able to get such heavy material up the mountain at that time.

The first fall we visited was the Multnomah Fall, which is the most visited one.

 

We visited three other falls, the Latourell Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls and the Wak-kee-ma Falls.  This is the Bridal Veil Falls.

 

 

Some of the trails to get to these falls is a little treacherous and you have to be careful where you step as it is a pretty steep fall if you slip on the rocks.

 

Yep....I always knew I was a "tree hugger."  Look at the size of this one. 

 

 

SakeOne in Forest Grove, OR

This is one of few Saki brewing places in the USA.  We went for a tasting and then toured the plant to see how Saki is made. 

 

The rice for the Saki made here is grown in California, not Japan, but interestingly, the Saki brewed here is exported to Japan along with it being shipped to many other countries as well.  It's really that good.

 

 

 

This picture on the building shows how Saki was made before the invention of Saki making machinery.

 

Large stainless steel vats are used to ferment the Saki.

 

I, of course, could not leave without taking the finished product with me.

 

  

Grande Ronde, OR

I decided to go to the Coast for a couple of days. Unfortunately there are casinos in OR and I just had to pass this one so I decided to spend one night in their lot but not gamble....yeah right!  I positioned myself between two big guys for safety. 

In the lot was another RV exactly like mine.  I was surprised as I have never seen another LTV Unity.  Later,  I met the owner and we compared notes on our rigs.  I've made a new friend and fortunately he knows the ins and outs of the Unity so I have someone to contact if I need some answers.  This is his rig, like mine but a different color.

The trees in Oregon are starting to show their vibrant colors which I love.  Fall is my favorite time of the year.  I'm leaving here today so looking forward to seeing more colorful changes along the way.

 

Chillin' for Awhile in Forest Grove, OR

For the past week, I've been spending some time with Tami and her family in Forest Grove, taking a break from travel for awhile.  This is her beautiful yard.  Oregon is a great state for growing various flowers and produce.  She has apples, pears, blueberries, tomatoes, peppers, etc. 

 
We went to Coburg, OR for 3 days with some of the people she works with.  They are all into antiquing but I was just along for the ride.  Three of us had RVs so we spent time in an RV park close to where all the action was.

What started out as a few yard sales in this little town has turned into a huge annual affair where people come from all over the state to find treasures.  There are blocks and blocks of yard sales.

 

I have no idea when I will leave Forest Grove and/or Oregon..... or where I will be going next.  So many choices.  I probably need to start moving south again for the winter.

McMinnville, OR

I got to spend some time with a friend I met almost two years ago when I was in OR for a whole year.  Linda and I had lots of good times, touring the wineries, attending festivals and just generally sharing doing what we both enjoyed so it was fun to meet up with her again in McMinnville.
 

 

I talked her into getting a FitBit so she and I could be FitBit buddies and encourage each other to keep steppin'!  Thankfully, her beau, Hi, came over and assisted two slightly challenged gals in getting her FitBit synced to her phone.    Linda met Hi when we were out clubbing in Salem when I was here previously and they are still going strong.  I believe it's been a year and a few months.  Great people and fun to see them so happy together.

We had a delicious lunch at the Grainery, a restaurant within a brewery.  This is what I like about Oregon.....so many breweries, so many wineries and so little time!  Now, the green leafy stuff is legal here but I'll stick to salads.. 

Oregon State Fair in Salem, OR

I have been staying on the fairgrounds for the past couple of days enjoying the Oregon State Fair.  I haven't been to a fair in many years so it has been fun to reflect back to the days when fairs were a big deal in Illinois where I grew up.

I could not resist these goodies.  I'm such a sucker for gadgets.

This guy was pretty interesting to watch.

Lots of music on many stages.  This is Brady Goss who is apparently well known in Oregon....very talented.

 

You are never too old to enjoy the "petting zoo."

 

 

And who says women can not have six pack abs. 

This little 5'2"gal was able to bend a skillet in half....she really did with very little effort.

This was a little unsettling but it was interesting to feel his skin.

Beautiful at night with all the lights lighting up the carnival runway.  Great fair.  Lots of good food, music, animals and a great place for "people watching."

OK.....guilty.  I'm still on the Coast but parked in Chinook Winds Casino RV Park, which has made it too darn tempting for me not to stay out of the casino.  It has been fun though and I must tear myself away today because even though it is free to park here, it is costly for sure.....bad...bad.   But the good part is I'm helping out the Indians which I am passionate about...maybe a little too passionate.

Sometimes I see some really interesting RVs in the parks where I stay.  This one has a sign on the front with its name, "Pickle Relish."  I can only imagine what goes on inside.....curtains covering every window.  I do however love the homey touch of live potted plants by the front wheel.  

The views from where I am staying are extraordinary especially at sunset.  The Ocean was calmer this day than it has been with the recent gusty winds..