August 31: Glorious, Gorge-ous River Views Galore!
With the open sleeves of my black leather jacket flapping in the breeze and the warm summer wind on my face, I pulled on the throttle and leaned into the curves, feeling the rumble of the road and the roar of my Harley as I snaked my way east along the Columbia Gorge towards Goldendale, taking in one breathtaking river view after another.
Heading out on highway 14 this morning, the air was crisp and cool, and fog was still hovering on the shores of the water. Tall rock basalt cliffs towered over me on my left and as the mist rose, I could see the sparkling blue waters of the Columbia River on my right, nestled between green rolling foothills and reaching far into the horizon under the bright blue sky.
Roaring down the road as it followed the shoreline, I swooped left and right under thick clusters of trees, alongside train tracks, and through tunnels carved in the hillside. As temperatures rose, I shed my layers and opened my jacket, letting the warm summer air rush over me as I sped alongside the water, imagining myself flying like the hawks circling above.
As I passed Skamania, North Bonneville, and White Salmon, the surrounding landscape became more arid, with bright yellow scrubby grass and dark brown plateaus replacing the verdant green rolling hills, providing a beautifully stark contrast to cool blue waters nearby.
Turning north on highway 97 I headed to Bake My Day Café to meet my best friend Michelle for lunch where we enjoyed great conversation and fantastic food. My third pound angus beef burger was tender and juicy, the bacon perfectly crisp and flavorful, and the homemade potato chips salty and crisp, all for about $10. I treated myself to a freshly baked fruit tart, delightfully filled with all the berries in season and ripe apples as well.
Heading back home on highway 142, the road narrowed, and the centerline disappeared as the route curved back and forth, descending along the banks of the Klickitat River. The green rippling waters meandered between thick clusters of green brush and a variety of pine, fir, and oak trees, as the breeze over its surface cooled the air nearby.
There’s something so darn comforting, relaxing, and peaceful to me about riding near rivers. Making my way east along the Columbia and then west along the Klickitat today, my heart turned to thoughts of gratitude for God’s beautiful creation around me.
