We decided to take advantage of the nice weather and our time together by taking a family “daycation” down the gorge. We started our day by heading down the Washington side, enjoying the beautiful and scenic drive. We stopped to have a picnic at Beacon Rock State Park. It was absolutely gorgeous! The nature around us was breathtaking. We sat and ate our lunch with an amazing view of a huge rock face, surrounded by tall trees, with the sounds and sights of the Columbia River in the background. We will definitely be going back!

Hannah wanted to get down and run the second we got out of the car. She wanted to explore the area, although she wasn’t too fond of the tall grass. She had fun picking flowers and eating her lunch at the picnic table. Someone was mowing the grass, and she really liked watching the “scoop.”Henry was mellow and happy, and didn’t seem to mind just hanging out in his seat.

We found a beautiful tree and spent some time hanging out in its shade. Hannah thought it was “the changing tree” from “My Friends Tigger and Pooh.” Henry LOVED looking up at the branches.

After lunch, we continued down the Washington side. Hannah really enjoyed all of the old tunnels, and we couldn’t get enough of the view. The water was beautiful. We crossed over to the Oregon side at Hood River, where there happened to be a windsurfing competition going on. It was really neat to watch. We’d never seen so many windsurfers at once. Hannah kept saying, “Hannah do’d it.” She also liked the “kites.”

As we were driving across the bridge, we spotted a little beach right in Hood River. It looked like there were several other families there, so we decided to stop. Again, Hannah wanted to run and explore as soon as we got out of the car. She ran straight for the water. Then, in true Hannah style, was upset that her shoes were dirty. So, while I stayed with Henry on the sand, David and Hannah went wading in the water. Hannah REALLY liked that, and cried when it was time to leave. It was a really neat little spot, and would have been even more fun had it not been so windy, and had we known about it ahead of time and brought hats and a swimsuit for Hannah. Henry did so well, even though the wind was blowing sand all over him. Both kids had a much needed bath when we got home, because sand found a way into their hair, their ears…everywhere!

We ended our trip down the gorge with a stop at Multnomah Falls. It was the first time the kids had seen a waterfall, and of course, it is a special place for David and I. (It was our first date, and the place we got engaged.) It was pretty crowded, and the trail wasn’t exactly built for a double stroller, so we only went just past the bridge. It was still a lot of fun, and really pretty. And, how can you go to Multnomah Falls without having ice cream? It was such a fun trip. We weren’t sure how the kids would do, and it was our first attempt at a mini road-trip with the kids. We loved the whole day and will definitely do it again!