The “quick” trip to Hood River

Welllllll- today was a bit of a day. We packed up at the cabin, excited to move on to Hood River, ideas of being there for lunch after a pleasant, scenic drive. Logistics spirits have been with us and today felt like it would be an easy transition.

So we leave cute Packwood, and start towards Hood River on the route Maps directs us to – Forest Road 23. Starts quite beauteous, waterfalls and beautiful forest, roads start to get a bit worse, then a lot worse (terrible, giant pot holes) then a dirt road, then a hint or snow.. and then we realize the snow is about to get very real and dangerous. We’d been on the road for ~25 miles with no service the entire stretch and started envisioning what getting stranded might look like. Fortunately made the decision to turn around and when we got back to service, saw on the state website that the road is considered closed/impassable. No warnings when entering and Apple and Google Maps continue to show this route optionally with no warnings BUT Waze doesn’t even present it as an option. New Waze fan for life.

I’m sure all can imagine that S’s stomach didn’t like the route at all but when we got out to try to prevent nausea, he asked me to snap one “good memory” from the attempt. Here you go

So course corrected and back on the route to Hood River through Portland. The stretch of road along the Columbia River towards Mt. Hood is absolutely gorgeous. We dropped some laundry off and checked into the Hood River Hotel – a refurbished historic hotel, right in the downtown area.

After settling in, we walked around the downtown area – it’s a beautiful, historic spot – reminded us a bit of Brevard. Great local restaurants, breweries. Hometown of Tofurkey, Full Sail and pFriem breweries, quite a few wine tasting rooms and all the Subarus.

We walked down to the Columbia River Gorge where there’s a waterfront park and beach area. Much kite and windsurfing happening bc of the great breeze.