I have looked over my shoulder at the Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon, hundreds of times as I passed it while driving on Interstate 84 on my way east from Portland. It never occurred to me to stay there. It did to Pedro, who had once attended a work conference there but had never stayed. For my birthday, he reserved a room and dinner for us.
After our hike earlier in the day, we came directly to the hotel and checked in. It was all a surprise for me, and I was just ecstatic when this is where we ended up! We changed into clothes for our dinner reservations at the hotel, and then went out and explored before it got too dark.
The grounds were magical with copious fairy lights in every direction and I felt a little delirious wandering around and exploring with my romantic guy. ❤ Or, maybe it was because I was hungry after 8 miles of hiking through the forest. A vigorous creek rushes through the property, and there are trails and bridges and sitting areas and bench swings for viewing. Fountains and waterfalls accent the grounds, and there is a large population of ducks. I tried to get photos but it was too dark to focus. Grinning and pleased, we finally went back indoors.
This is a nice introduction to the place on their website: “The Hotel property, first described in the Lewis & Clark journals, was the Site of Phelps Mill in the mid 1800’s, after which our creek is named. The mill made staves for the whiskey barrels carried by mules from Hood River to the east. In 1921, Oregon lumber magnate and philanthropist, Simon Benson, speaking of the region’s fledgling tourism industry, observed, in part: “We have built good roads and invited the world to come view our beauty spots, but we have done nothing toward taking care of them after they arrive.” In response to that need, Benson built the Columbia Gorge Hotel.”
Because it leans so much on history, the interior of the hotel remains intentionally nostalgic, displaying furnishings, carpets, wall coverings, photos, and antiques from another time. (Including, apparently, a photo of Al Capone and photos of pouring whiskey down drains during prohibition – the horror!)
The food and service were very good. The room was especially comfortable. The view the next morning was extraordinary.
We checked out early but stayed another hour at least, exploring the grounds in daylight.
In the daylight, we got a clear view of the varied ducks on the creek. They displayed an extraordinary variety of colours. Pedro liked the dark ones with white chests that he called tuxedo ducks. I liked the ones with green heads like Mallards, that had a puff of feathers as an accessory. What a marvelous duck.
It was time to head home, but since we were already in the Gorge, we decided to stop at Beacon Rock on the way. That will be in the next post.
Conscious Engagement 