Dog Mountain

From the top of Dog Mountain, it's tough to decide if the view of the Columbia Gorge or the meadows of wildflowers should be the highlight of the trip. I guess it's fortunate that you get both—you don't have to decide on one or the other.

This is a tough hike, no doubt about it, but still wildly popular. Is the reward worth it? You'll have to decide for yourself when you get there. In my opinion, yes, even if you only go a mile per hour on the way up, like we did. Plan for all day—even if you are speedy going up and down, you'll want to spend some time at the top. Bring water, a camera, a light jacket and even a picnic lunch if you feel like carrying it.

Look for the sign for the trailhead between MP 53 and 54 on Highway 14 in Washington.

Bonneville Lock and Dam

Recently, we have visited Bonneville, Rocky Reach and Grand Coulee Dams. Some random, rambling thoughts:

Life contains a series of compromises. The “outdoors” person that I am recoils at the idea of a huge, man-made structure stuck in the middle of the Columbia River. On the other hand, the very fact that I am able to post on this blog is due to electricity, some of which is likely generated at that huge, man-made structure stuck in the middle of the Columbia River.

I am constantly amazed at how smart some people are, engineers in particular. How do you even start to figure out how to build a dam? Not the generic idea, but the actual "what do we do first?" One of the treats of visiting the Rocky Reach Dam (just outside Wenatchee, WA) is the 60's vintage movie of the dam construction. We watched the steps, but it did little to dispel the wonder of the planning and coordination involved (and how things change, even in video production).

Who figured out how to build the giant turbines that create the power? What about the locks—isn't that amazing? So I begrudgingly visit and admire these huge, man-made structures in the middle of the river.

The US Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains the Bonneville Dam. Recently opened for public viewing is the navigation lock.

To get to the Bonneville Dam, take Interstate 84 through the Columbia Gorge to exit 40, follow the signs. More information available here.