Moving Day to Ainsworth State Park, Goodbye Pacific, Hello Waterfalls

Location: Ainsworth State Park (el. 100 ft); Cascade Locks, Oregon

(click pictures to enlarge)
(all pictures taken with Nokia Lumia 929 Cell Phone)

I said goodbye to the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday evening while hoping for another good sunset. The sunset was nothing special but the weather was nice. I'm not sure when or if I'll see the Pacific again but it is very close to the best of all the Oceans, Gulfs, Inland Lakes, Fjords and Seas that I've seen in my lifetime. It is very peaceful to see it, but I didn't see any storms though. I will miss it.

The tide time was approaching low tide with the waves slowly rolling in

This was the sunset. Notice the ship on the horizon. It pulled out of the river just before I got to this vantage point. 

While I was saying goodbye, I noticed the remnants of the old railroad that was used to build the jetty. Those piles sticking out of the rocks supported the railroad that transported and deposited the rocks for the jetty.

On the way back to the campground, I saw the rest of the railroad bridge that went across the low marshy area. I checked it out on Google Earth and sure enough, it lines up with the Jetty. Nice.

I pulled out of Fort Stevens State Park about 10:30. The temperature was a little chilly at 49 degrees, but it kept the mosquitoes from flying around. Although at times there are lots of big mosquitoes, I was never bitten by one. I'm not sure if they just don't like Southern meat or if they weren't hungry.

The trip was only about 130 miles which is the kind of distance I like since I don't have to fuel up with Liberty in tow until the distance gets to about 220 miles. About half of it was on 2-lane U.S. highways and the other half was on Interstate. It was a nice haul with some good change in scenery. I like being able to change from ocean views to mountain views all in the same day. That is one of the good things about this lifestyle of moving around is being able to change landscapes simply by moving to another campground. All the while, sleeping in the same bed. :)

The new campsite at Ainsworth State Park. The site took leveling blocks, 3 high, to get level side to side. I have only had to use that many one other time.

The view of Liberty as I was coming back yesterday evening.

 After getting set up I went about 9 miles north to the town of Cascade Locks to find something to eat. I have gotten to where I don't eat on moving days until after I get to the new campground and get set up. I ate at a place called Char Burger. The burger was very good, of course I was very hungry which means everything tastes good. I also tried a cup of their homemade chili which wasn't too good. The really good part was the biscuit they gave with the chili, it was really good. The restaurant has a gift shop attached to it which sells fudge and cookies. I bought a little fudge which was pretty good too.

Next to the burger place is the Bridge of the Gods. I saw the name as I approached the town and thought that was a very pretentious name for a bridge. The bridge is a canterlever thru truss bridge built in the late 1920's and spans the Columbia River. The State of Washington is on the other side. The interesting thing is it is privately owned. The current owner is the Port of Cascade Locks who charges $1.00 per car in each direction. None of those facts make it extra special enough to warrant such a name as Bridge of the Gods. 

After doing some checking, the bridge was named in honor of an event that occurred near that location more than 500 years ago. Sometime around the year 1500 (the actual time is in dispute), a giant landslide came down the mountains and completely blocked the Columbia River. This earthen dam allowed the Indians to cross the river by walking across the dam. The Indians believed the dam was created for them by their Great Spirit and their oral history called it the Bridge of the Gods. Eventually the dam washed away which created the Cascade Rapids which Lewis and Clark saw on their trip on the river. 

Bridge of the Gods crossing the Columbia River at Cascade Locks, Oregon

After eating I still had time to find a couple waterfalls. 

Part of Historic Route U.S. 30

Horsetail Falls

Multnomah Falls

That is the first video I have tried to post to the blog. I hope it works out.


I will be in this campground for 6 days. I think there is enough to see around here along with a relaxation day or two. :)


Ya'll take care of each other. I'll Cya down the road.