The Great Prairie Safari -- Day Fourteen

14 May 2013; The Trail Home, Last Stretch --

Getting "rained out" the night before, was deflating to the male ego's; we "men" would have liked to have shown the Queen Mother what rugged individualists we were. But, alas, she out-voted us 3:1 to forego the rain-soaked existence and stay at a motel instead. Early the next morning [as was his habit!], Grumpy ventured out to scan the Eastern horizon; the mass representing the Blue Mountains loomed up -- numerous clouds hovering over them like mother hens over her chicks. Yep, it was probably still raining up there! Grumpy muttered a "Thank God" [for the wisdom -- er, intuition of the female member of our party] for allowing us the comfort of Super 8 this last night on the trail.

As we rode along [captive of the social-law minded Swede driver!] we came upon a huge array of wind turbines that spanned the horizon. Queen Mother uttered an unforgettable phrase that must be included in this post: "Look at the wind-turbine forest, boys!" The concept of a "forest" of wind-turbines fascinated the mind of Grumpy, so here is the essence of what we saw:

 

As we entered the Columbia River Gorge, we began looking for the exit that would bring us to Multnomah Falls, a sight that Grumpy had forgotten on our way East. Somewhat confusing at the time, but making sense later was a sign that directed us off the freeway with one word: "Falls". As we drove along this side road (Historic US-30) we came upon a falls labelled, "Horsetail Falls". A beautiful falls, indeed and worthy of a stop.

But we were looking for Multnomah Falls, which Grumpy remembered seeing with The Great Grandmother. It was huge!! So, driving further along this historic (and very scenic, still!) we came to a very congested -- and full! -- parking lot; Multnomah Falls. After a short -- but cruelly uphill -- hike, we encountered this view of these historic falls.

Grumpy prefers scenes like this with people in them -- to give the scene "perspective" -- and color. Anyway, rather than go up to that footbridge himself and take a photo of the other three standing down where he stood to take the photo on the left, he cleverly enticed them to go up to the footbridge so he didn't have to!

Still not satisfied that this did justice to both the Falls and the Queen and her Court, Grumpy called them all back down [from their "high horse"] and took this picture (right):

A few miles further along the "Historic Highway", promised yet another water falls. This one called, "Bridal Veil Falls" (left). The hike down and up to get to it was a challenge that the old fogey (Grumpy) was barely able to overcome. But German determination and "bull-headedness" overcame these obstacles like all other challenges in his past. These photos are evidence of his never-say-die spirit.

Again, Grumpy wanted some people in his pictures, so he cajoled [ha! ha! ha!!] the two GGSon's to venture out onto a rock down below the Falls where the boys could be pictured with the Falls in the background. From this perspective the reader may correctly perceive that this water fall is quite large.

This last stretch of highway on this Safari was a happy-sad day. Happy to get back to Fort Bale -- and sleeping in a familiar bed after being gone for two weeks; sad because this is the end of the most memorable and enjoyable road trip that this old Great Grumpy has experienced in many a Moon. The opportunity to travel and camp with these two Great Grandsons -- yes, even with their Mother, too! -- brought great peals of laughter at times, and tears of joy at other times when Grumpy found himself the subject of touching words or actions by the Great Grandsons. And enduring the Left-handed, "Arises at 10 o'clock", stubborn Swede who was the Queen Mother, was a strain that only a tough old determined German like Grumpy could put up with.