A view from the top

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From the road below, following the Columbia River along the Gorge, you would never know that tucked high on the cliffs above is a place with breath taking views. Off an exit on Interstate 84 at Corbett, you climb a winding road up the face of the cliff, only to find yourself in the country side once you reach the top. A couple of miles to the east, past the country store and down another small road along the cliffs, the Vista House and all the beauty the Gorge can afford awaits.

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I try to stop at the house whenever I can and I’m not in a hurry in my travels between western and eastern Oregon. It was one such day last Friday that I took the time out of my schedule and drove to the top. It was a beautiful evening and you could see for an eternity. The photos above are from this stop. To view more photos, see my Intersect gallery.

Sitting pretty like a crown on one’s head, but in this case on top of Crown Point, the Vista House offers a scene unlike that of any you see while traveling along I-84. It sits some 733 miles above the interstate. Construction was finalized in 1918 . It was said that it was built to inspire the traveler along Highway 30. The structure is 44 feet in diameter and 55 feet in height.

Learn more about the Vista House:

• Friends of Vista House

Painted canvas of clouds

I love how the sky lends itself to an open canvas. The past few days, the weather has afforded itself to some beautifully painted skies in both vibrant and muted hues.

This morning the clouds used that canvas to show off it’s playfully & beautiful side. The photos are from my morning commute along the mouth of the Columbia River between Oregon & Washington.