The Columbia River Gorge is many things. With railroad lines and major highways on both the north (Washington) and south (Oregon) shores, combined with the navigable Columbia River, the Gorge is a major corridor for transportation, both commercial and private.
It is a place to hike and ride bicycles, to look at wildflowers, to watch birds and waterfalls. With consistent and strong winds, this is one of the great places in the world for wind surfing and more recently para-surfing. The effects of the wind can be seen on this "flagged" Douglas fir, which has lived its years buffeted by funneled upriver winds. This photo was taken during today's hike on the recently restored portion of the Historic Columbia River Highway between the towns of Mosier and Hood River, Oregon.
It is home to more than 50,000 people. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area belongs to all of us. It is a national treasure, a feast for the eyes and the soul.
