We recently had an epic 2 weeks in Hood River, OR and the Columbia River Gorge OR/WA - the location for world class windsurfing, kitesurfing, SUP downwinders, hiking, mountain & road biking, snow sports, and whitewater kayaking - they have it all. Hood River is outdoor sports/adventure town USA - and THE place for wind johnnies and wind betties.
Below is an extensive photo journal of our trip (with captions), so settle in with a cold one. You can also click on the first pic and then scroll through to view in large format (but captions disappear when viewing in large format).
First, some quick notes:
- I took my family and they stayed for a week & a half before returning home for other commitments. Alan, also a Charlotte area windsurfer, was there with his family for the same 2 weeks. My buddy Rob arrived as my family left and he lucked into a lot of wind his entire 4 days there.
- I windsurfed 7 days out of the 2 weeks. 2 days were 3.7 sailing in 30mph+ wind. My lower back gave me fits off & on during the trip, so I couldn't go all out at 100% all the time, and had to take some rest days. I could have windsurfed every day of the 2 weeks if I wanted to, perhaps some days on 6 & 7 meter sails, but most days were 4 or 5 meter sailing.
- They've had an early hot summer, so the water was warm...in low 70s. We windsurfed in either board shorts or shorty 1-2mm wetsuits. SUP downwinders in nothing but board shorts.
- Windsurfed at the Hatchery, Doug's Beach, & Hood River Waterfront Park. On the last really windy day we had, we should have gone further east to The Wall, but couldn't pull ourselves away from Doug's Beach for the longer drive east (never leave wind to find wind).
- Paddled the Viento to Event Site 8 mile SUP downwinder a couple times - once with my daughter and once with Rob (both first timers for them). Wind was 25-35mph for both downwinders. Unbelievably fun swells and long glides!
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Big Winds shop was a great one stop shop for our windsurfing & SUP rentals, plus they provided the shuttle for the downwinders.
- Best food/drink during our stay:
10 Speed Coffee - lunch burgers (& coffee/breakfast sandwiches)
Bette's Diner - breakfast & Smoked Salmon Breakfast Burrito
Thai House (in The Heights) for Thai
Local Grind (food truck located at Event Site behind Big Winds tent) - ahi tacos & rice bowls
Sixth Street Bistro - overall menu and good food
Solstice - pizza
Double Mountain (good pizza here too) / Pfriem / Full Sail / Everybodys (across the river in White Salmon, WA) / Union Taphouse (a cool small place in the really small town of Mosier) - craft brew
- Fun flat water SUP on Lost Lake with the family with beautiful views of Mt Hood. Didn't make it to Mt Hood itself this time around, nor did I mountain bike this trip either (would have if my back was feeling better).
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| The approach into Portland airport takes you right over the Columbia River Gorge |
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| If you happen to be on the left side of the plane and have a window seat, they fly right by Mount Hood |
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| We spent 1/2 day in Portland and visited their world famous Rose Garden |
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| We walked around Old Town, got lost inside Powells Bookstore, and of course the kids had to visit VooDoo Doughnuts |
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| Willamette Riverfront - downtown Portland |
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| The view from our rental house, overlooking downtown Hood River, the Event Site and Sandbar |
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| The way up to & down from our rental house to & from downtown - even if we were just relaxing in town, it was still a workout |
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| The hike into Oneonta Gorge |
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| This pic of the logjam doesn't do it justice. Its really big and has to be climbed over with great care |
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| The wade through really cold water to get to the waterfall |
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| McIntyre's 1st Gorge SUP downwinder - she paddled it like a champ! |
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| Fun swell and great glides |
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| me windsurfing at Doug's Beach in 30mph+ wind, on a 3.7 sail |
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| My kit |
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| Family SUP outing on Lost Lake in the shadow of Mount Hood |
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| Da Boyz playing at the Event Site - a great place for the family to hang out and swim in the Columbia River |
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| The first of 10 waterfalls on the incredible Multnomah - Wahkeena Falls Loop Hike |
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| Everything is big in Oregon |
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| I got stung on my hand by a yellow jacket and it swelled up - I suddenly had a meaty hand |
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| Big rocks - can you spot Jake? |
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| At the top of Multnomah Falls, looking down |
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| Multnomah Falls |
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| More swimming in the Columbia - McIntyre is our little daredevil |
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| Punchbowl Falls hike - from Eagle Creek Trailhead |
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| The view east of Hood River on the way to Doug's Beach on the WA side |
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| First Friday at Hood River, they close off the downtown streets and have a party. There was a break dancing competition and it was awesome. |
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| Musicians in front of the Promotion Wetsuits shop |
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| Fun gathering with Alan & Sean and their families. Love this pic of the kiddos. |
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| Another beautiful sunset, extra red from the wildfire haze (from far away WA wildfires) |
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| SUP downwinder on the mighty Columbia |
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| catching glides with Rob, on his 1st Gorge SUP downwinder |
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| Kiter going for big air as we passed by The Hatchery |
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| Rob hitting the lip at The Hatchery |
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| Alan backloop |
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| enjoying a post sesh cold one at the little Union Taphouse in Mosier, OR - population 430 |
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| The drive east - the landscape changes from green to desert |
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| waiting for wind at The Hatch |
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| Doug's Beach windsurfing - Rob |
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| Alan |
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| Alan |
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| Canadian pro & freestyle specialist Phil Soltysiak was in town |
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| The Hatch - Alan & Rob |
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| Rob |
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| Alan |
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| Alan - duck jibe |
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| Alan's sweet new board |
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| Petroglyphs - east of Doug's Beach & The Dalles on the WA side |
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| heading into the desert |
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| Back at Doug's Beach - one of our favorite spots - sandy beach, beautiful views from the water, fun swells, and not too far from Hood River - this is the view looking back at the beach |
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| Rob |
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| Rob |
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| Rob on a 3.7 - wind 30mph+ |
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| Rob |
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| Local Sean Aiken - he put on a clinic of how to absolutely shred the Columbia River |
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| Sean backloop |
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| Sean - showing how to ride the swell |
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| Sean backloop |
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| Smack! |
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| big swells at Doug's Beach |
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| Sean forward loop |
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| Pow! - an oldie, but goody classic board |
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| Loadin' them up - lets roll |
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| The Gorge Cup Windsurfing Race Series was taking place on our last day there - we sailed at the Waterfront Park and watched some of the racing |
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| Gorge Cup race |
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| Rob |
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| Post sesh hanging out at The Sandbar, before leaving for the Portland airport |
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| What a great way to end our trip, with live music overlooking the action on the river on a beautiful day. It was hard to leave this. |
2 comments:
Great shots! Thanks for the good times and memories! That shot of the kids is a classic for sure.
Let's get out there again soon!
Alan
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