Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Visiting the Columbia River Gorge

It’s time to get out-and-about for a little field trip…and guess what! We’re not visiting a nursery! Our first stop was at the Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery. The parking lot was full of wild Lupine…what a great foliage plant. Also in the parking lot was the best little nursery visiting vehicle ever. Isn’t it cute? That’s a regular sized soccer mom van parked next to it. Just think of the plants and friends I could fit in there! Here’s the best I could do for a Dam glamour shot. At the fish hatchery was this drastically pruned three trunked tree. And what looks like the reflection of branches of a tree in the pond are actually Sturgeon. Here’s the next generation being baked. The sign above the racks says: “6500 egss per tray x 2240 trays = almost 15 million fish” That could someday be this big… I think this one is Herman the Sturgeon; he’s an (approximately) 11 foot long, 500 pound, 70 year old sturgeon. In route to the Columbia Hills Petroglyphs (our ultimate destination) we stopped at a park to take in the view. Unfortunately when we reached the Petroglyphs the sun was in front of us and since you’re required to stay behind the fence (a good 15 or so feet away) taking decent pictures was virtually impossible. This was the only one I attempted. There was a place nearby where you could climb on the rocks next to the river, great views. And another area where you were high up above an inlet. Of course the wild flowers did not disappoint. This was my favorite ...

9 comments:

  1. We drive from Utah to Netarts, OR once a year. A long, boring drive but right when we start going batty we come around the bend and see that stunning Columbia River Gorge. Generally stop somewhere along there and do an hour hike to stretch the legs. Loved your pics. You live in a such pretty area...

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  2. AnonymousMay 03, 2011

    The Columbia River Gorge was my parents' favorite place in the whole world. Every evening for the last several years of their lives they would drive from Gresham out Stark St and, within a very short time, make a little loop of the parking lot at the Vista House. Your photos bring back wonderful memories.

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  3. AnonymousMay 03, 2011

    Nice field trip, Loree. I'm sorry you weren't able to get the petroglyphs but you sure got some great shots otherwise.

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  4. Enjoyed the tour and especially the sturgeon. Wish when I saw the Columbia River the one and only time I did not have much time to explore it.

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  5. I had no idea they farmed sturgeon, but I am glad they do, as I hear they are not doing well in many areas. Thanks for taking us on your field trip!

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  6. Kate, what a great reward for braving the miles!

    Patricia, what a great story...thank you for sharing it. The Vista House is a great spot!

    Grace, "next time"!

    Randy, I wish I could have got a better shot of the sturgeon, they really were amazing.

    Les, anytime! (and thanks for all the fabulous field trips you've taken us on!).

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  7. All that hard work in your front garden definitely qualified you for a spring field trip! I love those huge old sturgeon at the Bonneville Dam. They're just so prehistoric.

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  8. nice plants, but i have to say i really like that little van. was it yours?

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  9. I left Oregon last year to move to Idaho. Boise is a fit for me, but your pictures reminded me that Oregon has some true gems that I will miss!

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