The Columbia River Gorge Road Trip: Where the Views Dazzle and the Friends Delight

While Baby Beest seemed to have passed the "Mount St Helens" test, we still needed a little more travel time before declaring full victory. Luckily, just across the mighty Columbia River in northern Oregon lies the start of one of America's most iconic road trips ... a road trip that would continue to rebuild our confidence and revive our spirit.

Waterfalls,

mountain views,

bike rides,

a cozy forest cabin,

a welcoming urban oasis,

and time with friends

... turned this Columbia River Gorge adventure into a joyful reminder of how beautiful life on the road can be.

Portland, Oregon

Our first stop was Portland, Oregon where fellow Hymer owners, Tracey and Michael, invited us to hang out for the weekend. They spoiled us with a quiet parking spot, some delicious meals, and a personalized e-bike tour along Portland's scenic bike trails.

While Portland has been portrayed in the news recently as a city devastated by crime and violent protests, we found a beautiful and safe community with numerous outdoor recreational opportunities and a community embracing the chance to be outdoors.

We loaded our folding bikes on the city bus that took us to a very scenic trail alongside the Willamette River.

From there we biked into downtown along the many bike-friendly streets past Victorian mansions and modern condominiums

... to find lunch in a cute little diner that hadn't changed their decor since they opened in 1947 ... although the original 10 cent milk shake now costs a tad bit more.

We biked past the ICE headquarters where a small group of peaceful protesters were gathered, but for the most part, Portland struck us as a peaceful city with both historic and modern neighborhoods and plenty of bike-friendly roads that made it easy to get out and enjoy this sunny day ... which can be a rarity in the Pacific Northwest.

Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway

From Portland we headed west along a historic section of highway that hugs the Columbia River and is known for its scenic gorges,

numerous waterfalls,

recreational opportunities,

and breathtaking natural beauty.

The 80 mile long Columbia River Gorge, a National Scenic Area, was formed as the Columbia River carved a dramatic canyon through the Cascade Mountains. The Historic Columbia River highway, completed in 1922, ran above the gorge and is considered to be the first scenic highway built in the United States. It may also be where the concept of a leisurely "Sunday drive" was born as the highway led early 20th century motorists to numerous waterfalls and hiking trails.

The original highway has since been replaced with a multi-lane expressway closer to the river, but it is still possible to bike and drive on certain sections of this picturesque road.

Waterfalls galore adorn the slopes of the Columbia River Gorge with Multnomah Falls being the most popular one to visit and photograph.

But the "off the beaten path" ones were our favorites to visit.

We stopped in the town of Cascade Locks to check out the Bridge of the Gods, along with a few craft breweries.

This bridge is no doubt a welcome site for many hikers as it is where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses from Oregon into Washington. We walked across it to take in the sweeping views of the gorge

... and to be able to claim that we have hiked one mile of the PCT!

As you can see by my slightly disheveled hat, the winds blow mighty strong up and down the gorge making this area a windsurfers' paradise also.

Mount Hood

The mountain streams flowing from Mount Hood into the Columbia River must provide an ample and flavorful supply of water, as we found numerous craft breweries in the towns along the Columbia River Gorge Highway. After stopping in Hood River to add another one or two to Doug's ever-growing list, we turned south and were greeted by majestic views of Mount Hood, the tallest peak in Oregon.

This stretch of highway proved to be a good test of Baby Beest's climbing skills as we made our way past some of the popular ski and recreational areas that surround the mountain. The mountain's grandeur continued to shine as we took a two mile hike around Trillium Lake.

A Cabin Oasis

Our next destination was a cozy cabin retreat tucked in the national forest, where fellow Hymer friends Tessy and Bill welcomed us with open arms.

A few days of true R&R followed that included creekside hikes, great food, and long chats that filled both our bellies and our hearts.

After a few hectic weeks, we’re feeling incredibly grateful to be surrounded by nature’s beauty and the warmth of friendship once again.

For the true joy of full-time travel lies not only in the dazzling views along the way, but also in the delightful friendships that are formed along the journey. These friends have a special way of making us feel right at home, no matter where we are.

Satisfied that Baby Beest's "fix" is going to hold, we looped back around Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge 

... to the place where the Columbia River ends its long journey as it flows into the Pacific Ocean near the town of Astoria, Oregon.

From there ... we'll continue heading south as we repeat our all-time favorite US road trip along the breathtaking Oregon coast.