Leaving Herman, we stay off the Interstate enjoying the winding scenic old Highway 30. This historic scenic route is truly ‘old-bus’ driving at its best.  The speed limit is 40 mph, the road is narrow and winding and we are driving “in” the woods–trees growing along and over the road, creating a beautiful canopy.  This Historic Columbia River Highway was built between 1913 and 1922 as the first planned scenic roadway in the United States and became the first major paved road in the Northwest.  It winds high above the Columbia River for about a 75 mile stretch between Troutdale and The Dalles and was built to blend with the Gorge’s natural beauty and offering maximum scenic opportunities while impacting the environmental as little as possible — imagine that concept back in 1913! The builder envisioned the gorge highway as a ‘rival to the great roads of Europe’ and included artistic European designs of dry masonry walls with arched openings, wooden and rock guard rails and beautifully crafted arched bridges. Following it only in bits and pieces – just before Hood River and now again from Bonneville Dam, this old VW Camper is right at home and we love every minute of the drive!

This section winds us around the edge of Larch Mountain and provides easy access to several waterfalls, the historic Vista House at Crown Point and the Portland Women’s Forum Outlook, Chanticleer Point.