Sherar's Bridge

Right near where we are camping is a replica of Stonehenge.  Built to spec from the original one located in England, it was built by Sam Hill (what the sam hill - my Dad used to say that a lot), who was a pioneer in building the roads and infrastructure in the early 1900's along the Columbia River.  As a matter of fact, we are camping in one of the peach orchards of the Hill family, was turned into a campground in the 1990s, but the peach trees are still here.  Looked around while 'up there' at Stonehenge, the Columbia River below us was just sparkling.  Stonehenge was built in honor and in memory for those who fought in World War I.

Wind farms along the ridge on the Washington side

Mt. Hood looming

Our campground is somewhere in those trees, right at the river's edge

Then we took a little drive south - in Oregon - looking for Sherar's Bridge which was a waypoint/crossing over the Deschuttes River, a swift deep river which flows north and joins the Columbia not far from us, the river originating somewhere near Bend, Oregon. The landscape along the way was barren,  a farm every couple of miles.  Wheat was being harvested, miles and miles and miles of it.  Along the way I could see Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams in Washington, and Mt. Jefferson - wish my camera could have taken a 360 - pretty cool.  And way in the south - The Three Sisters, mountains near Bend.

Mt. Hood and way to right - Mt. Adams

Dropping down to Sherar's Bridge area

The hotel is long gone but you stand there and cannot fathom how the emigrants of the Oregon Trail were able to make it through this canyon.  The Barlow Road Cutoff is near this bridge, for those that took the Cutoff along the southern side of Mt. Hood instead of following the Columbia River.

Platforms built out - woman standing on left one, fishing with spear

Wow, pretty good!

We turned west after a bit and dropped down along the Deschuttes River.  We were on Warm Springs Indian Tribal lands so we had to mind their rules.  Which - we could not stop or park the car in certain areas, strictly for tribal people.  We saw one person fishing the 'old way' standing on a platform spearing fish.  A plaque showed their catch by day - pretty impressive.

Mt. Hood peaking out

Woman in front was flapping her hands and screaming

Definitely a resort area - Maupin

Many murals on buildings

Moving up the river, the scenery was breathtaking.  Drove 500 feet - 'public land', then 100 feet beyond - 'tribal land' and back and forth ownership of land along the river switching.  Saw rafters and on one where 2 women with a guide, the woman in front screaming and shaking.  I didn't think the water was that bad! but it was funny to see.

Found the state park

And it was locked shut

Came up out of the canyon and was in the town of Maupin.  There is is serious money in that town.  Geared for rafting and fly-fishing.  Started our loop back towards White River Falls State Park, found it - but it was locked, closed.  Not sure why.  Disappointed.  Followed the road north and got into The Dalles and did a quick stop and was back to the RV by 3:30pm.

We move tomorrow to the Snake River, in Huntington, Oregon, driving east on Interstate 84.  Will be about 80 miles from Twin Falls, Idaho.  Googled on the internet why the park was closed - emergency repairs to a bridge that spans the falls.  Oh well.