This park contains a large grassy area, a bandstand/gazebo, baseball fields, a skateboard area…read more toilets (in a log blockhouse), and borders the Klickitat River, or a tributary of it.... In May it is the site of the Fiddln' Around the Stars Camp 'n Jam bluegrass festival, and the big field becomes a temporary campground.

Oh, John Day Dam... drumroll, please this is the big boy…read more Rolling the long spine of the Columbia River Gorge, you pass beauty, you pass history but when you arrive here, you feel it. This isn't just another stop. This is the pinnacle. The mighty "Jay." The kind of place that makes a man stand still, squint into the sun, and realize just how small he really is. Now let's stack a few facts behind the legend. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, construction ran from 1958 to 1971, costing around $500 million at the time. This beast stretches roughly a mile across the river, with turbines pumping out enough power to light up entire regions. And here's the kicker the fish ladder system? One of the most advanced on the Columbia, built to help salmon and steelhead muscle their way upstream like nature intended. Watching those fish launch themselves skyward it's not science, it's a show. And I've seen it up close. Back in my government days, I got the full tour behind the curtain, boots on the ground. We walked the ladders, watched the fish fight their way upstream, even fed a few. It wasn't just educational it was something else. Something honest. You're standing there watching life push forward against impossible odds, right next to a structure built to control a river. Strange balance. Beautiful balance. Now let's talk real life. We pulled over for a quick photo nothing fancy. Sun hanging just right, warm air, no wind (which out here feels like a minor miracle). Coats in the car, completely unnecessary. The river calm, the whole place glowing like it knew we showed up at the perfect moment. And then chaos. Out of nowhere, a squirrel makes its move. No hesitation. No fear. Just straight-up bandit behavior snatches a snack clean out of my wife's hand (yeah, let's correct that before I get in trouble), and vanishes like a legend. And somehow, in the middle of that nonsense, we get the perfect picture. You can't plan that. That's road trip gold. There are campgrounds nearby, open spaces to stretch your legs, and viewpoints that let you just sit and take it all in. And if you're the kind of person who enjoys standing next to something massive just to feel small this is your cathedral. Five stars. No hesitation. Warm sun, calm waters, a little wildlife crime, and one of the greatest feats of engineering in the Northwest standing right in front of you. Couldn't ask for a better time to be here.

Started in '58 and completed in '71. Highest lock in the U.S. (110'). Fish ladders on both sides---…read morewhich is good, b/c this is primo angling country, amigos. You're likely to see hundreds of bass boats nearby in the Columbia, although it's not a rare sight to behold bank anglers haul in keeper quality sturgeon! But of course, it isn't just a dam--- it's also a bridge, adjoining some nifty terrain on either side o' the Columbia. The bridge is so named, of course b/c this is where the John Day River empties into the mighty Columbia and that means more angling opportunities--especially Steelies and Bass, with some big ol' channel cats not far off.... Biggups to the Army corp of Engineers for yet another lasting marvel passed down through the generations. My Grandpa drove a Cat moving earth helping build this project as well as up and down the I-84, and I am truly humbled every time I am reminded of that.

Old 1923 Baldwin steam locomotive formerly operated by the Great Northern Railway, located near the…read morerailway port just off Main Street, Wishram. Seems to be in pretty good shape.

The Dallas DMV has the friendliest staff. Never an issue and great customer service!!read more

Compared to downtown Portland DMV, these were the nicest people ever. Everything was on time…read more Quick, painless process to get a license. Very surprising for a DMV experience! Just wanted to give a shoutout because nice people deserve reviews too.

I needed to resolve an issue for my 95 year old mother in MN this morning…read more I was fully expecting a wall of bureaucracy. Instead, I received a smile, reassurance we could solve the issue with a phone call to the nursing home, and that it would be done. There was no sigh because the appointment was going to take longer than usual. There as no annoyance with me not having all the proper paperwork - just a super helpful guy behind the counter who figured things out for me and got it done. Thanks! Definitely not what I expected and a very bright spot in my day.

For sweeping views of The Dalles, Columbia River below, and surrounding landscape stop at Kelly…read morePoint View. Located along East Scenic Drive across the street from Sorosis Park, the views are spectacular, especially at sunset when the entire sky is illuminated in vibrant colors. For those that enjoy history, Kelly Point is dedicated to the memory of Virgil Kelly who made many contributions during his years of service city councilor (1939 -1961) Kelly View Point is also the site of several veterans' memorials honoring those that served our country in various wars, and who gave the greatest sacrifice. Take the time to visit each memorial, read the inscriptions and honor those that selflessly served. The memorials are: the Loren R. Kaufman Monument, the Vietnam War Memorial, the Veterans Memorial, and the Desert Shield-Storm Memorial. This area has its own parking strip so you can pull right up. Perched overlooking the expansive landscape of The Dalles below, it's a beautiful spot. There is a great walking path across the street if you want to enjoy a one mile walk and really take in the sweeping views. There are always people walking and jogging along the path. Across the street is Sorosis Park with a playground for the kids, picnic tables, covered gathering areas and restroom facilities.

It's been a long time having the Stonehenge Memorial on my bucket list to pay a visit to. We tried…read moreto go here a few years ago but tourist season was over and gaining access to the area didn't seem like an option as the gates getting to the memorial were closed and locked. So we reattempted again this summer and made sure it was during a time where the tourists would be out and about. And they were! There were lots of visitors here but not to the point where it was overwhelming or unpleasant. It wasn't a problem getting the timing right to get the pictures you wanted without a bunch of people standing in the way of them. As it says it's a memorial and is dedicated to the lives lost and sacrifices given in W.W. I. So it's a bit of an older memorial but everything is well kept and clean and the Memorial looks ageless as intended. The memorial overlooks the Columbia Gorge so you can get some beautiful views of the river and Gorge in a wonderful panoramic vantage point. Below the the memorial is the small town of Maryhill. It looks quaint and cute but we didn't go down and check it out as we had a reservation we couldn't miss back in Goldendale. The Stonehenge Memorial is indeed a worthy stop and it's a kind of a stop where there isn't much of an excuse to avoid and one big incentive involving that is that there is no entrance fee to enjoy the memorial.

Stonehenge Memorial is a unique monument, constructed to honor the local residence that lost their…read morelives in World War I. There is a smaller memorial to honor those that served WWII, Korea & Vietnam. The views are captivating. You can reach Stonehedge via car or bicycle. I think this review is one best told through photos.

On a clear day from this pullover, you can see 4 iconic mountains! Mt. Hood to the south; Mt. St…read more Helens towards 1:00; Mt. Adams standing tall and the most visible; and if lucky, Mt. Rainer. Even on a cloudy day, it's a beautiful sight. As you drive north on Highway 97, past the windmill farm, and start to head downhill, the land is flat with several wheat farms providing an unobstructed view. There is even an old barn in the foreground that makes for some beautiful pictures. I discovered this area on one of my adventures and the first time there, it was a cloudy day. So as soon as summer hit and the blue skies were everywhere, I took another ride out that way. While my smartphone camera couldn't capture it, I was able to see all four mountains. Just gorgeous! The fields are all golden right now, dotted with purple wildflowers, and the sky was bright blue which was the perfect backdrop for the white snow capped mountains. It is quite the panoramic view!!! There is a very large pullover so you can safely park and get out of your car to snap some pictures. Next time I will head out earlier when the sun isn't so bright in hopes of getting better pictures of all the mountains.