Fall at the Gorg (eous) Columbia River Gorge

Water, water everywhere!

Horse Tail Falls

Sunday 10th.

We could feel the chill in the air following our arrival in Oregon. However, it was less about the weather than our editor’s temperament. She is going through a feisty period. On second thoughts, that’s not correct. We should choose our words better. It all began when we had a conversation about the city we were about to reach.

“We should stay in The Dalles for Shabbos,” our editor mentioned. We thought she was being funny although we did not think it a particularly good quip. After all, Dallas is some 1200 miles from where we were. Not wishing to be a spoilsport, we laughed and said ‘very funny’ but let’s be serious now. It all became clearer when we found out that it’s pronounced The ‘Dowles’. We apologized for our ignorance and apparent ‘huffy’ attitude. This brought back memories of the difficulties in June when we were forced to seek help from our good friend from Page, Arizona: Chief Chut Z Pah. We met the Indian chief of the great Navajo nation but will tell you the story later, time permitting. Unfortunately, things got worse after a further misunderstanding.
Which leg to ride?

Our hike today was outstanding—the ‘Horse Tails, Pony Falls and Oneonta Falls’ and trail which climbed above the waterfalls and headed high. It was seven miles with an elevation gain of some 2,000 feet through typical Oregon territory. We read about the Flood in the Torah yesterday and it seems that had Noah’s Ark docked in Oregon, they would all still be aboard. The state, for those who are not familiar with it, is covered in trees, thick vegetation, rivers, lakes and more water. We would hazard a guess that an Oregonian would have difficulty with the concept of drought. Nora and Stuart Laiken pointed out that there is not much sunshine in the state. The last three days have proved them correct.


Falls in fall!

We have visited in mid-summer before and did catch the sun off-guard when it peered through the clouds on a few occasions.
We are spending time along the Columbia Gorge. Mountains, rocks, trees and a remarkable river, many waterfalls and thick vegetation make this a desirable place to visit. When we entered Washington from Idaho during August, we were travelling from east to west and crossed the river.
Taking the gap!

From Washington to Oregon, we crossed the river again but this time obviously going south. It gives you an idea of how the river makes a natural border between the states and then continues north into Washington.
Shower pressure!

To observe the streams and waterfalls is a real treat. The water barrels down the cliffs and pounds below. No damage as water strikes water but it is able to wear down the rocks over the years. The growth in the forest is so intense that we came across many trees, and rocks, too completely covered with lichen or moss.


Even the Rocks are Growing!
It is an Eden of its own. We believe when we are in what we define as the ‘real world’, we become fulfilled.

Perhaps the real problem for our relationship occurred when we reached the mountaintop and sat down for lunch. It was wet (surprise) and cool. Therefore, our editor decided to make a campfire to warm our bodies and dry the clothes. (See picture) “Pass the matches,” she requested. “What matches?” we wanted to know. “You’re supposed to have your ten essential items for hiking and that includes a box of fire-sticks,” she reminded us. “You should have a flashlight, jacket, whistle, etc…so pass the matches, I’m cold.”


Matches please!
“Our ten items don’t necessarily coincide with the official hikers’ guide,” we responded meekly.
“Okay, big boy, what are your ten items then? C’mon don’t be bashful; let me have a look in your bag.”
She had us there. We decided to come clean. What else could we do? “Ten bottles of Diet Coke,” we smiled feebly.

We suppose that accounts for the frosty attitude. We are still trying to work out what we did wrong. We believe we were tactful in not asking what happened to her matches. Our sensitivity training is working although the results are somewhat spotty. Life is confusing for the male specie.

We hope the weather is clear on the morrow as we are itching to get close to Mount Hood, a real beauty.

Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey