Today we headed into downtown Portland. We arrived about lunch time and after exploring we ate at the Von Ebert Brewery. The food and service was really good. Across the street was a Cookie Dough/Ice Cream store and we treated ourselves to a sweet treat. After lunch and dessert we drove to the Saturday Market held in downtown. The market was really a craft market with art, t-shirts, and novelties. The market had a pretty good vibe and we enjoyed exploring for a while. Eventually Maverick grew tired of the crowds and noise so we called it quits.
It was still early so leaving downtown we headed for the Columbia River Gorge. There are a number of spectacular waterfalls along this route. We first stopped at Bridal Veil Falls that had a 2/3 mile trail to the bottom of the falls. It was a really nice hike in comfortable weather. Maverick got to go but had to stay on leash. The falls were moderately crowded so I can bet it would be really bad during the summer. Next we headed for Multnomah Falls. This waterfall is one of the most photographed falls. We were able to get a parking spot at the main visitor area, but the parking lot was full. They were running a shuttle bus from a park about 8 miles East of the visitor center. This waterfall is very accessible with a short paved walk probably a couple of hundred yards from the car. This waterfall also had a nice gift shop with ice cream, drinks, fudge, and the normal touristy stuff. Both Bridal Veil and Multnomah are very beautiful and worth the trip. The scenery up the Columbia River Gorge is really beautiful in its own right. Some of the scenic areas weren’t accessible because the scenic driving route separate from the main highway was mostly closed. We followed the main highway all the way up to the Columbia River locks and dam and crossed the Bridge of the Gods. The bridge is a older, picturesque bridge with a $2 toll to cross. Its the first time we actually made it to Washington on this trip.