More of Don's photo series. |
First glimpse of Bridal Veil Falls, scene of many weddings.
There are lots of wildflowers on the trail down to the falls, and on the scenic trail to the cliff face.
Rhododendron macrophyllum.
This scene, looking west, is also from the scenic trail at Bridal Veil. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area was formed in 1986, igniting all sorts of battles between various city, county, state, and federal agencies, plus landowners, timber companies, railroads, tribal councils, homeowners, farmers, etc., etc., etc. The question was asked, "What is the Columbia Gorge, anyway?" Well, it is lots of things: recreation area, scenic wonder, source of timber, good farmland, great place for summer homes, great place to live, wind surfing paradise, etc., etc. One thing it definitely is, is a transportation corridor. In this photo you can see the river, one of the two railroads, and one of the three highways which traverse the Gorge. |