Portland Oregon PDX or P-town, the valley and the HOOD Mt Hood that i

Portland, Oregon’s largest city, sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers, and in the shadow of snow-capped Mount Hood.
The Dalles is where we started our adventure. Part of the Columbia River Gorge as we wind down route 84 along the river there are many dams and locks along the way that is run by the Army Corp. We stopped at The Dalles Dam just in time for a tour. Facts:
Built between 1952 thru 1957 then additional units in 1973 total of 22 turbines. Length mile and a half. WOW

Diagram of a turbine and how it operates.

Turbines

Look to the top that is the water level.

Fish Ladders

Side view of the fish Ladder

Heading South to Portland

Rest area having afternoon coffee had a friend

Trivia What is this looks like Holly but the berries are purple blue? Answer Oregon Grape Holly

Next day we set off to the Valley, country orchards of apple, grapes, and pears and maybe a wine tasting or two.

Wonder if the dog traveled all the way from Tennessee that way?

Lunch was a recommendation from some locals not the greatest but made up for it next time 

Salt and sweet an ice cream place with a loooong line and great homemade flavors

Carrot cake/cream cheese with cinnamon ice cream and Strawberry basil pepper

Our last day was all about the falls and fallin and following the hood. (Mt Hood)

The scenic by way highway 30, historic Columbia River starting at what is called crown point. At the top of a peak in the middle of nowhere is this building.

Cute family

Here Crown Point Vista

View from the Vista

Vista view

Lautourell Falls

Bridal Falls

Big Tree

More winding roads

Traffic was all stop for over 45 minutes just waiting to get to some falls to have no parking at all. These falls along the route are just as busy as the National Parks go figure.

Bonneville Dam, the first one on the river built in 1938

Mt hood and sand creek

Mt Hood one of the 7 wonders and most known symbol for Oregon
Elevation 11,245

 Snow year around they were doing skiing and snow boarding still. There is 5 ski areas on this one mt.

Stopped in at the lodge enjoyed a huckleberry drink.

Every banister post was carved with a different animal.

Timberline Lodge

the end to another long day and we head to the coast tomorrow.  Never been this far west and the 110 degree weather another first for us. The coast will be a lot cooler.