12 - Roll on Columbia, and Roll on Home

Wednesday morning we wished Ry a Happy 3rd Birthday, expressed our gratitude to Sarah for taking such good care of us, shared hugs all around, and headed east to see the Columbia River (and Washington on the other side!) Now we could have just driven over the bridge on I-5 into Washington and gazed at the mighty river. But what fun is that? Instead we drove out I-84 to find the Vista House. It had been a few years since the last time I was there, and I didn't remember how WINDY it is up on that bluff. Carly and I giggled as my hat blew off and she struggled not to blow away too! We laughed at the thought of her holding on to the railing and flapping in the wind like a flag.

See she's holding on tight!

The view of the river was worth the effort it took to stay grounded!


We discovered we were very close to Multnomah Falls, so why not drive a little farther east to see it too.




Enjoying a mango smoothie before a trip to the gift shop.


One more stop before leaving the big city --the Portland LDS Temple. The grounds were closed so we tried to get a picture from the street. Carly was very disappointed that she couldn't walk around the grounds or go inside.



We left Portland around 1 PM and planned to be back in Redding by dinner time the next day. Overnight in Grants Pass, say goodbye to Granny Barbara, stop in Mt. Shasta to fill our water bottles in the headwaters of the Sacramento... Home Sweet Home!