March 8: Cornocopia of Treats on Goldendale Loop
Wow! Trains chugging along their tracks, hawks circling overhead, water trickling down the sheer rocky cliffs to my left, and the sun bursting down from above – today’s ride to Goldendale and back along the Klickitat River provided a cornucopia of treats for all my senses.
Heading east on highway 14, I stopped at the Cape Horn overlook to take in the silver-blue waters of the Columbia River Gorge stretching out into the horizon and nestled between the evergreen lined valley on both sides.
Making my way past Skamania and North Bonneville, I felt like I was on a delightful roller coaster ride as I snaked my way alongside the water’s edge, carved through tunnels in the mountain, and rose up and over a variety of cliffs, buttes, and hillsides.
With almost no traffic, I could hear ravens cawing in the trees, see hawks circling above, watch trains lumbering towards Portland, and admire the intricate patterns made by hundreds of grapevines in the many wineries clustered on the shoreline. Cattle grazed contentedly in bright green fields looking over the water and I breathed in the fresh air all around.
Nearing Wishram, I looked in my rearview mirror to see a spectacular vision of snow-capped Mount Hood, framed in front by gorgeous sheer brown rocky cliffs and bright red vegetation on one side and yellow grass and a chocolate – colored butte on the other.
As I turned north into Goldendale, my breath caught at the sight of Mt Adams rising over the patchwork quilt of fields to the west and continuing up through wispy clouds into the blue sky above. A ring of blue foothills rested at its base, highlighting the bright white and gray colors of its icy peak.
After an enjoyable lunch in Goldendale, I headed west on highway 142, stopping to take a video of the spectacular sight of both snow beauties in my same field of vision, one on each side of the farmlands in front of me. The windy, narrow road heading down the mountains alongside the Klickitat River provided more beautiful water and valley views as I made my way home. What a great day on the bike!
