Gorge-ous!

Terrible title, but it is early in the morning and I've been sleeping in a car. Yes, I'm back on the nature trail with the gang (Tim, Jake, Ash and Jeanie) again. I traded playing uno with some Aussies back in Portland for the Columbia River Gorge, and so far it has been another great decision. This is probably the best stretch of scenery on the trip so far, so I'll give you some background.

I got picked up on the Thursday evening from my Hawthorne hostel but the clouds didn't look too clever, so we stayed the night at Tim's in-law's place. Soon after popping down to a pub for some food and a great stout (if only it was warm!), I was getting to meet a generation of American that I would never have met otherwise. Causal racism aside, it was interesting to hear a different perspective on the second world war, especially with a particularly Christian backdrop. It was just good fortune that I was a polite, white, little Englander.

The next morning Art (the war vet) and his wife Ruth took us out for some amazing pancakes, and after a few delays we were heading out into rural America again. The Columbia River Gorge is basically a lot like the style of 'Twin Peaks': vast mountains, swamped with trees and intersected by flowing rivers and impressive waterfalls. It was a great walk, with log bridges and stepping stones across torrents that rushed by. There were narrow passes where handrails were required to keep your footing and eagles kept an eye on things overhead.

Our goal was to reach the falls, widely considered the most spectacular in the region, and they didn't disappoint. A tunnel cut through the rocks meant you could walk right behind the falls, which tumbled down at a ferocious pace. Even Barefoot Jake got excited. We admired the view for a long time, the six mile hike and the majestic scene both providing ample reason to stay. Then we headed back the way we had come, and soon left Tim and Jake behind; they were being real men and actually camping.

So after another six miles we three were back in the car and picking up the essentials (Pabst Blue Ribbon). Me and Ash grabbed some food at a little bistro in Hood River, and I sampled my first American fish and chips (6 out of 10). Then it was back for beers in the car, which thankfully didn't involve getting mauled by a cougar. Here's a pretty picture of where we were today; if you've got instagram then look me up (adammcculloch23 I believe) and also Ashley Lebedev, if you're into professional photography. Also look up Barefoot Jake's blog - he needs all the friends he can get.