Leaving Multnomah Falls, we cruise on down Route 30 heading to a scenic overlook. Tommy’s sister, Ginny, calls to see what our progress is and how soon she should start dinner. We are surprised to see it is suddenly 5 o’clock and realize the afternoon has disappeared quickly!  We have taken all afternoon to travel the 30 or so miles on the old Highway –not because we are travelling in an old VW bus but because of the specatular scenery — and we still have Bridal Veil Falls and two other sites that were highly suggested by our tour guide Helen for “great views up and down the gorge” to visit; so we hurry along to get those in before heading to sister Ginny’s.

The first of these scenic overlooks, Vista House at Crown Point, is well worth the stop.  Vista House was built between 1916-1918 as a memorial to Oregon pioneers, as a comfort station for those traveling on the Historic Columbia River Highway and as an observatory. The octagonal stone structure towers 733 feet above the Columbia River, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and in the National Geographic Society’s 2001 “Save America’s Treasures” book.  http://vistahouse.com

We pull into the parking lot in our camper bus and enjoy the breathtaking views up and down the Gorge seeing miles of river both ways. Even Portland and Vancouver, Washington are visible from this vantage point. The old building itself is gorgeous with beautiful stonework and stained glass and the panoramic views are even more spectacular from the viewing deck on the second level of the building.  We notice a crowd gathered around our VW Camper BUS and have fun watching as it ‘brings joy to folks on the road!’ as an attraction all by itself in the parking lot at Crown Point.