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community
january5
2017
Worth the Trip: Historic Columbia River Highway
of Oregon waterfalls, Multnomah Falls. At 620 feet,
this is the second highest year-round waterfall in the
U.S. and is the most visited tourist destination in Or-
egon, another reason to visit in the off season. The trail
to the viewing bridge between the upper and lower falls
may be closed in winter due to icy conditions but you
can still get a great view of the falls from the easily ac-
cessible viewing platform. After snapping the obliga-
tory photo, stop at the visitors center or snack bar, or
better yet, head inside the lodge to warm up and have
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Brewery. The Bridge of the Gods is named for the
natural geologic formation of the same name, a natural
dam created by a major landslide several centuries ago.
The man-made bridge is a steel structure spanning
1,856 feet; the Pacifi c Crest Trail crosses the bridge at
its lowest elevation on the entire length of the trail.
If you continue east on I-84 you will eventu-
ally reach the town of Hood River, home to wind surf-
ers and kite boarders, and also plenty of restaurants and
bars, and several wineries and breweries.
Just outside Hood River on Highway 35, turn
left onto Eastside Road and wind all the way up to Pan-
orama Point Vista House for a spectacular view of the
surrounding countryside and orchards.
Continue on Highway 35 all the way up to Mt.
Hood and visit the historic Timberline Lodge or play
in the snow at one of several snow parks. Make sure
you pick up a Sno*Park Permit and check weather re-
ports and road conditions, or carry traction devices; the
weather can be unpredictable and you will most likely
encounter snowy conditions.
While the Columbia River Gorge can be
treacherous to travel in the winter, it can also be quiet
and rather enchanting and... worth the trip.
lunch or a cup of hot chocolate in front of the stone
fi replace. There is also a small lounge, with multiple
northwest beers on tap and local wines, that makes for
a nice break on your waterfall tour.
At this point you could turn around and head
home, easily accessing I-84, or you can keep going.
Continuing down the Columbia River Highway you
come across a couple more falls that require hikes
(if you aren’t waterfalled-out yet), Oneota Falls and
Horsetail Falls.
There are numerous other options that don’t
involve waterfalls if you are considering con-
tinuing your Columbia River Gorge adventure.
One option is Bonneville Dam, just 15 miles fur-
ther east on I-84, offering tours of the dam and
the fi sh hatchery that includes a giant sturgeon.
The tiny town of Cascade Locks at the foot
of the magically named Bridge of the Gods has
a great brewery, Thunder Island. Cross the toll
bridge to the Washington side of the Gorge and
visit the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center and
then the quaint town of Stevenson where there
are many options for food and drink, including
one of my personal favorites, Walkingman
Above left: Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s most visited tourist attraction. Above right: The view of the orchards around Mt. Hood from Panarama Point.
Fresh roasted coffee, espresso, baked goods
Membership Passes Available
for check-out with your library card!
Contact the library for details or to make a reservation
OMSI (Portland, OR) – admits 4 children, 2 adults
Oregon Historical Society Museum & Library
(Portland, OR) – admits 2
Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals
(Hillsboro, OR) – admits 4
Shute Park Aquatic & Recreation Center (Hillsboro, OR)
– admits adults and children from one household
Passes are donated to the community by the Friends of the Vernonia Library and Vernonia Hands on Art
Must be 18 or older to
check out a membership pass.
NEW LOCATION 825 Bridge Street • 503-429-0214
MIKE PIHL
LOGGING CO., INC
Free Estimates
Specializing in Private Timber
Vernonia Public Library • 701 Weed Avenue • (503) 429-1818
Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am - 5 pm • Tues & Thur 1 pm - 7 pm • Sat 10 am - 4 pm
V ernonia C hristian C hurch
Everyone is welcome in our vibrant & active community!
Sunday
Worship Service
503-429-1470
cell 503.789.1268
fax 503.429.0252
11:00 am
Pastor Sam Hough
410 North St.
Vernonia
mplogging@frontier.com
1984 mist drive, po box 321 vernonia, or 97064
• Youth and Adult Sunday School
• Evening Youth Groups
4th-6th Grade
Junior & Senior High
• Home Study Groups
• Outdoor Ministry
Christian Bow Hunters of America
Annual Sportsman’s Banquet
office@VernoniaChristianChurch.org
503-429-6522
