No matter what your interests, there is much to do in Portland and the area immediately surrounding it. The city boasts a variety of museums, parks, historical sites, and events. But sometimes, you need to get out of the city. If you have a car and a day to spare, why not explore a little? There's something for everyone. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Access to the Columbia Gorge is easy from Portland: just head east on highway 84. At Troutdale (exit 17) the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway begins. This historic highway was finished in 1915, a feat of engineering designed by Samuel Lancaster, which employed cliff-face road building techniques and was considered by many to be a work of art. It was also the first permenant road to run along the Gorge. Lancaster felt strongly about building a road that complemented and accented the natural beauty of the area. He wanted the highway to be in harmony with its surroundings and show it off to best advantage. The modern day-tripper will still agree he hit his mark. The Scenic Highway passes unobtrusively through forests, past waterfalls, and opens onto some of the most spectacular views of the Gorge.

A great place to stop and enjoy that view is Vista House, 10 miles east of Troutdale. This observatory stands over 700 feet above the Columbia on Crown Point and was built by Samuel Lancaster as a memorial to the pioneers. Here, he said, the view "both up and down the Columbia could be viewed in silent communion with the infinite."

Continuing east, the Scenic Highway passes a number of waterfalls, some visible from the road, others accessible by a short hike. The most famous of these is Multnomah Falls. Second tallest in the nation, Multnomah Falls descends a total of 620 ft. between its upper and lower parts. It has long been a tourist attraction and the original Lodge, built in 1925, is still in use. There is a hiking trail to the top of the Falls, and for the adventurous, the trail continues to other waterfalls nearby. Even those with little time to spare are well rewarded by the short walk to the footbridge. Multnomah Falls is open all year round and, like all the Gorge, reflects the changing seasons dramatically.

The Scenic Highway rejoins Interstate 84 at exit 35. From here it is only a few miles to Bonneville Dam and Bridge of the Gods. The Dam is open year round to visitors and there are visitor centers and fish viewing areas on both sides of the river. The Dam includes a series of "fish ladders" to enable salmon migration back up river during the spawning season.

Bridge of the Gods is a cantilevered bridge connecting Oregon and Washington just at the place where it is believed a natural rock arch used to span the Columbia. According to local Indian legend, two gods (Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams) were fighting over a woman. First they threw lava and fire and rocks at each other, then one (Mt. Adams) lifted up a foothill to hurl at the other god. It fell short, crushing the bridge.

Cross the bridge and head west along the Gorge on the Washington side, or continue on a few miles to explore Hood River before heading back to Portland.

On a clear day, Mt. Hood dominates the Portland skyline. What could be better than a long loop around the mountain? Leaving Portland on Interstate 84 east, head south at Hood River on highway 35. This road meets 26 near Government Camp to compelte the loop back west toward Portland.

Aside from the many attractions of the Columbia Gorge (see above), this route passes through the fertile Hood River Valley. The road runs past orchards, farms, forest, and mountain streams, with spectacular views of Mt. Hood. During the warmer months, stop for produce, flowers, or food at wayside stands before continuing on to higher ground.

The area contains many reminders of the Oregon Trail as it lies so near Oregon City, the final destination. Laurel Hill, one of the last terrible challenges, lies 3 miles east of Government Camp on highway 26. Pioneers dreaded lowering their wagons down these broken cliffs where accidents were frequent. Also, the Last Tollgate, near Rhododendron, marks part of Sam Barlow's Road: the first road to be blazed around Mt. Hood to Oregon City.

Before heading back to Portland, be sure to make a stop on the mountain to see Timberline Lodge. Constructed in 1937, the Lodge, like the mountain it's built upon is beautiful any time of year. Call ahead for information on skiing, hiking, and other activities or just relax for lunch and enjoy the view.

For those who want to know about the Oregon Trail, Oregon City is the place to go. Easily reached from Portland via I-205 the "City at the end of the Oregon Trail" offers two museums and numerous historical houses. The city was established in 1829 as a mill town by John McLaughlin and later became Oregon's territorial capitol.

The Clackamas County Historical Society Museum provides a very complete overview of the region, while The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center focuses more on "living-history" and hands-on experience of some aspects of trail life. There are also four historical house museums to explore. The Ermatinger House is third oldest in the state and boasts ghost storiese as well as the parlor in which Francis Pettigrove and Asa Lovejoy flipped a penny to determine the name of Portland.

The Stevens-Crawford House (constructed just after the turn of the 20th century) and the McLoughlin House are both within a few blocks of the Ermatinger House. Dr. John McLoughlin came to Oregon through the fur trade, was employed by the Hudson Bay Company, and was a prominent citizen for many years. His house is a fascinating glimpse into the life of an incredibly successful pioneer.

The final house museum is Rose Farm. This was one of the first houses in the Oregon City area and as a result was an important meeting place for both social and political events. The first address of Oregon's territorial governor, announcing her territorial status, was made from the balcony at Rose Farm. Other notable features include a ballroom on the second floor.

Oregon City is a pleasant destination for the day, situated on the Willamette Falls and rich in Oregon's early history.