Road trips.....exhaustive but rewarding......always!!
The road trip around west coast of USA, started from San Fransisco took me to Vista House in Oregon after Mendocino in California and Crater Lake in Oregon. Millions of visitors driving along I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge turn right below the famous building atop a cliff near Exit 22. The Crown Point Vista House at the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge has some of the best views in Oregon . In the words of The Oregonian, it was "the finishing achievement for the greatest highway in America" and there cannot be counter argument.
Opened in 1918 as a glamorous rest stop and observatory for those traveling the new highway, Vista house instantly became favorite. As an observatory the Vista House is a wonderful place to watch weather roll down the gorge or look through the telescopes at boat traffic. The octagonal building houses a museum, gift shop and interpretive display of historic and geologic points of interest in the Gorge.
Eight panels of the house's interior tell the history behind Vista House's construction and use. Much of its interior is covered in Alaskan marble, and its dome is made of beautiful copper. When the weather permits there is also an outdoor balcony offering even greater views. And we were lucky enough to witness the beautiful sunset and mesmerizing sunrise from outdoor balcony.
Crown Point also marks the beginning of the "Waterfall Corridor" that features eight waterfalls along the historic highway, including Multnomah Falls. The beloved building and setting is widely regarded to be one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest.
And here is the visual treat -
