Multnomah Falls receives two million visitors per year (two million people stop at a waterfall on the side of the highway). It is a beautiful and super convenient pit stop. It is no wonder that they had to shut down the viewing area during the pandemic. At first they just closed the facilities but they had to take it a step further and barricade the off-ramp "after it became apparent visitors were not properly social distancing at viewpoints and other areas around the falls." Ugh, people. Ugh.
We knew this before heading to Hood River today, but it is still disappointing!
Hood River is about 150 miles away from our house but we decided to stay at a hotel for two days because 1- the idea of driving 300 miles with A1 didn't seem like the best plan and 2- we discovered a bike path close to Hood River that we didn't want to pass up.
Our first stop was for ice cream because ice cream.
A1 and I had a mint and cookie milkshake.
We enjoyed our ice cream on this ridiculously slanted park in front of the public library. It was so slanted that if you stopped walking (or running) you were destined to fall. So, of course, that was entertaining.
We loved Full Sail the last time we were here, and it wasn't until afterwards we learned that Eric's grandfather and great grandfather worked here when it was a cannery. The brewpub is currently closed because of Covid but we walked along the outside. There are still employees inside, with face masks on, making beer but they would wouldn't let us in!
Jeez, this pandemic!
I cannot wait until this is just a story I tell A1 when she is older and has to do a report on coronavirus in middle school.
We enjoyed Double Mountain Brewery last time as well. You have to love their individual booth seating areas they developed.
Hood River doesn't just have breweries and ice cream, but a ton of history.
Hood River became a town in 1856.
First National Bank was built in 1910.
The Independent Order of Oddfellows started making their mark in history in 1819 in Maryland. They sure got around.
This 1912 First Congregational Church reminds me of something you would see in Bruges.
It is the perfect place to start one's modeling career.
The view from our balcony at the Westcliff Lodge is pretty amazing.
But not as amazing as this little human.
Nothing compares.
Our to-go dinner at a picnic table in front of our hotel included dinner and a show.
Hood River is WINDY (like nearly impossible to eat outside windy).
Because of this Hood River is the kiteboarding capital of the world. Despite it's title we still couldn't believe how many people were kiteboarding!
Who knew kiteboarding was still a thing? I thought it died out in the 90s.
And this is why we travel, to learn how other people live.
Next thing you know we will stumble upon a pog championship!
YOU ARE KILLING ME RIGHT NOW. I'm trying to eat, while reading, and I have to stop eating because I have to tell Steve what I'm reading. This ONE line might be my most favorite EVER, "Next thing you know we will stumble upon a pog championship!" For those of us who were of a certain age or parents of children at that age, POGS were the bomb. So much fun.
ReplyDeleteI love all the history and other parts of this post but MAN. You're killing in Brady.