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.

This is a climb! Especially with my two bad knees. I'm glad I took the challenge because the views…read moreof The Columbia River are so gorgeous from above, but it's a one and done for me! Start the climb at the Horse Brew Pub and catch the first of six steep, cement steps. I was there on a sunny day but if you do the stairs in rainy weather, make sure you have appropriate shoes. no flip flops in any weather! The stairs - with hand rails - climb up to the neighborhoods with houses on the bluff overlooking the river. Lucky people! You wind up then gradually loop your way back down. There are some little, and I mean little, neighborhood parks and some have a bench to rest on while enjoying the view and stillness. I definitely had a rest. Once back in Hood River there are countless things to do! So many breweries that also serve hard cider, shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, wine tasting, ice cream - all walking distance and concentrated on three main streets, Oak and Cascade the most popular.

What a blast we had going up and down these stairs!! Other folks were friendly. Quite the workout…read moreand the view is wonderful! Can't miss this when you come into town. Makes the shopping or a coffee break all the more worth it

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.

You definitely don't come here for plaques or guided tours. You come here because there's something…read moreabout a hundred-story structure slicing air in silence that feels honest. The turbines at Windy Flats are massive. You hear them before you understand the size. It's not a roar. It's a pulse. That low, clean whoosh takes your attention. I stopped & filmed one from base to blade, the whole height in one slow pan. Just the sound of wind & steel working without apology. Not everything monumental needs a monument.

When driving through the Columbia Gorge in Eastern Washington, one can not miss the ginormous…read morewindmills spanning the Columbia River ridge for 26 miles. What an incredible sight! Windy Flats is the largest windmill energy project in WA, a state that has several. Each windmill stands 70 meters tall and the blades are 50 meters. These giants have the capacity to generate 500 megawatts of renewable energy. Standing tall in the ridge with the rolling hills and the magestic Columbia River, an known for being windy, it is a stunning sight! Views from Maryhill Winery, Highway 14 and Highway 97 are boundless. There are several pullovers so you can take in the sights safely. Construction for Windy Points began in 2009 with an initial investment of $1 billion. This new revenue stream has finically helped the down of Goldendale, which was in a decline, and created over 350 jobs. However, there is still debate over the effect of these added winds on the natural habitat and the many birds and animals that live here. Especially the raptures. The human and animal health effects of wind power are still being explored and are not yet fully understood.

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.

While it's a beautiful bridge with stunning views of Mt. Hood and The Columbia River, it's very…read morenarrow so unless you are a passenger, keep your eyes on the bridge! There are size limitations, but some vehicles and trucks that cross are wide and it doesn't leave much room for error. Speed limit is 15 mph for a reason! Obey the rule. They have instituted a fast pass program called Breezeby, so for people like me who cross this bridge frequently, it makes payment so much easier. You set up an account, they give you an RFID tag for your windshield, and you proceed through. They send email receipt and monthly statement. Plus, the fees to cross are much cheaper; it's $1.75 to cross each way, $1.25 for the Bridge of the Gods which is also part of this program. Those that don't have a Breezeby account pay double, so $3.50 per crossing for Hood River Bridge; $2.50 for Bridge of the Gods. More for pick-ups, passenger vehicles and trucks. Even though it's a toll bridge, they no longer have toll booth operators which caused congestion as people stopped to pay. Now a camera takes a pic of your license plate, and if you do not go tomThe Port of Hood River online and pay your bill within 4 days, they send you an invoice that includes an additional $3 administrative fee. You need to pay it or you will get hit with even more additional fees and fines. Visit Port of Hood River for all the details.

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.

My love of libraries knows no bounds, but still this one was pretty spectacular…read more A few things I admired: 1) Located high above downtown Hood River on State Street, it gives you an expansive bird's eye view of the Columbia Gorge. On a rainy or windy day, that is Hood River's thing after all, I suggest you take a break from the elements here. 2) The building, which I dubbed Dracula's Castle, is old brick and stone architecture on the outside, but with all the modern conveniences inside. 3) The kids section is expansive and dominates the lower level. They really made it special with all sorts of special lighting (think magical grotto) and the space is configured well with play areas to really let their little minds wander and imagine all sorts of interesting places. Serious bonus points for the Reading Theatre with carpeted steps instead of chairs for the audience. 4) Participates in the Oregon Library Passport Program - http://www.librariesoforegon.org/node/30. So if you are like me and love to borrow books or videos when you travel, if your home library also participates, it is an easy process. 5) Location. Not just the views, but also located conveniently in downtown Hood River. Wander down the hill to read your book in the park on a sunny day and then grab a scoop of ice cream from Mike's. Talk about your perfect afternoon!

The Hood River Library is like heaven on earth, we are so lucky to have such a beautiful space!…read more Also, my friend Noah Kagan's new book #MillionDollarWeekend is now in the featured section, congrats @NoahKagan (I have it checked out but it will be back next week! Amazing book if you are starting a business!)