The great thing about being on the road with Lloyd is the lack of any obligation to anything at all. We're kind of free to move at our own pace. As such, when presented with the option of interstate or scenic route this morning, we chose the latter.
The Columbia Gorge stretches for miles along the river between Washington and Oregon. Rigid cliffs stand like sentries guarding the river banks. The sky was a hazy overcast, lightly covering the tops of the green landscapes with a light hovering mist. We took a winding road up to an area of state parks and finally arrived at Multnomah Falls. It is a 560 ft waterfall cascading over a mossy cliff face. It was a wonderful sight. Legend has it that an Indian princess threw herself to her death from the top of the falls in order to appease the Great Spirit as there was an epidemic disease spreading throughout the camp. Today, they say if you look close enough as the water moves down the cliff, you can see her face in the water. Unfortunately for myself, I was unable to see this phenomenon. Either the princess is on vacation as well or she had a stony, mossy face.
Of course, once we arrived at the falls we were obligated to make the one mile ascent to the top. As Lloyd was busy taking photos I decided to get a head start. Starting out it wasn't so bad. The grade was easy going and the walk was beautiful. But one mile uphill isn't to be toyed with lightly. About half way up it was time to ditch my sweatshirt, take a swig of water, grab some gum and kick it into high gear. By the time I reached the top my lungs were on fire as were my legs. I finally arrived at the look out point. It was a great view where one could take in miles of scenery. I enjoyed watching others arrive as worn out as I was expressing great relief in their eyes. The descent was much more pleasant and it felt good to encourage others as they "followed in your footsteps." Upon reaching the bottom I stopped by the snack bar and enjoyed a twist cone in celebration of my hike. Lloyd arrived an hour later having remained at the top to take photographs of masterpiece potential I'm sure. He knows a lot about photography. He explained it all to me while eating lunch today but the only thing I remember now from that moment is getting stung by a bee on my foot.
We returned to our room, showered, and left for the Portland Zoo for an evening with Emmy Lou Harris. It was quite a pleasant time as the residents of Portland approach concert going far different than those who attend shows at Riverport. It seemed everyone had acquired their wardrobe from L.L. Bean. While most concert goers in the Midwest feed off of nachos and Miller-Lite, our new friends consumed bottle after bottle of red and white wines. The show was great though the first half of it was somewhat frustrating since our seats were as far back as you could go. I had also forgotten my hoodie and while July is typically the hottest month of the year, it was 65 degrees out. By sunset I was freezing so I ventured forward to purchase a coffee drink. I noticed many people were gathered near the stage and not being asked to move so Lloyd and I did likewise. We definitely enjoyed Emmy Lou and and company from there. She closed out and we returned to our abode but not before stopping for a late night dinner at Muchas Gracias, a 24 hour Mexican restaurant.
In the three days we have been on the road I have felt the anticipation of a certain redemption taking place. It is surely coming. I am reminded of Langston Hughes' poetry of a dream differed.
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun...
Or does it explode.
Tomorrow we leave for California where we will camp out in the Giant Redwood forest.
Kindest Regards,
Harvey
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