Not so great for our family. Let me list the ways. 1)the instructor we had was extremely yelly and…read moreintense. Not a jerk just not in tune with his kindergarten aged students in anyway. You can't just yell at a kid this age and expect them to make a pizza. You have to get on their wavelength and connect dude. $89 wasted. 2)we were all beginners. The one and only green trail was wayyyy to intense at the top for us newbies. The bunny slope was wayyyyyy to short to get anything going. It was nearly impossible to practice in under 50 feet of slope. You just can't get anything going enough to practice. The only other option is to take the chair lift up and hope you don't need to test your health insurance out 3) after prepaying for a few days of skiing and realizing day one this wasn't the place for us they refused refunds for the following days we weren't going to use. That's just kinda crappy. Not saying they're rip offs. But as a customer I feel Ripped off. The rental guy was nice. The lady at window taking down the rental info was kind of cold and scary. I wouldn't recommend this place. Oh and NO BATHROOMS. Just gross portapotties. it would be nice to have a place to wash your hands wouldn't it?

Cooper Spur is a great place for families to learn to ski…read more First, lets start with the price. For $400, you can get your *entire family* a season pass that is good for lift tickets *and* rentals. If you can commit to going 4, 5, or 6 times, that is a killer deal. Pencil out your alternatives, and you will definitely not find any less expensive options. You can use some of the money you save to get some ski school or individual instruction, which is well worth it. Consider it an investment in your families' future entertainment for years to come. The lodge is cozy but unpretentious and comfortable enough. Free wifi is handy, so you can send messages to family members (even if you don't get cell service on the mountain, at least they'll get the message when they get back into wifi). Food is just fine for what it is. The ski lift and runs are nice for beginners. They have a good rope tow to get started with, and then the ski lift isn't too difficult. They have a handful of runs ranging from beginner to intermediate. Even though the runs aren't long, the ski lift doesn't get too busy. Parking can be a problem, and sometimes you need to ride a shuttle up from the lot down by the resort (about 1 mile away). Also the rental center can be very busy, and a line can form that can take 30-45+ minutes to get through. Neither are a huge deal, but all things considered it is a good idea to arrive as early as possible to get good parking and avoid the rush. If you do have to wait, just practice some patience -- you'll get on the mountain eventually. They also have a very small tube hill (I haven't done this, but it looks pretty measly, so I wouldn't make a special trip up just for this) and options for nordic (cross-country skiing / snow-shoeing). If you get the family season pass deal, for another $40 you can add-on nordic rentals and access, which seems like a good deal if you'd like to have some variety. One other nice option is that, coming from Portland, you can take HW 26 (through Government Camp) or US 35 (though Hood River). It is good to have options, as traffic on 26 can back up on popular ski days. Also, there are lots of great restaurants in Hood River that can be enjoyed after a full day of skiing.

If you are looking for a super fun way to see the beauty of Hood River in the magical Columbia…read moreGorge plus taste delicious wines from several incredible vistas, MountNbarreL is the way to go. Dont worry about being an avid cyclist, the route is chosen so that people of all levels can participate and thoroughly enjoy the ride on the E-bikes. Your day includes vineyards, orchards and fruit stands. If you decide to purchase a case of wine, don't fret, the shuttle will pick that up for you so you can continue on your E-bike. While I've driven these roads so many times, seeing the landscape at a slower pace really immerses you in the magical scenery.

This experience is nothing short of magical: a community-based, guided bicycle tour while sampling…read moreincredible wine and delectable local treats against the stunning backdrop of Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, and the idyllic Hood River. Normally a DIY traveler, I can say with complete confidence that the decision to book with MountNbarreL is worth it, whether you are a resident or visitor escaping into the sun-soaked beauty of Hood River wine country. My husband and I took the Original Oak Grove (OG) Tour. Ali, the owner, greeted us with mango kombucha and bottled water and set us up with comfortable, well-tuned cruisers. The bikes are outfitted with deep handlebar baskets to hold any vintage gems you find in the historical Oak Grove Store and clever wine bottle baskets on the back. The route is carefully chosen to be accessible for all levels of cyclists, and if you decide you must have a case of that amazing Viento Riesling, fear not - MountNbarreL's shuttle can pick up purchases on the way so you don't have to take everything with you. The details took this day to the next level. Ali and Sydney bookend the group while cycling so you can enjoy the scenery and views safely. We were pampered with treats throughout, like a charcuterie plate to go with our Italian-style wine tasting at Marchesi and lunch and snacks from Farm Stand in the Gorge (a local cafe and artisanal grocer) while picking blueberries and enjoying a private tour of Phelp's Creek vineyards. What struck me most is that Ali really partners with local wineries and businesses and is an integral part of the Hood River community. This really shows in her deep knowledge of the local wineries, and the warm reception and hand-selected tastings at each stop. I can't imagine a better way to experience Hood River!

Rolling east out of Portland in search of ghosts and stories, we'd already paid our respects to…read moreMultnomah Falls and crossed the myth-soaked Bridge of the Gods. Then the land opens up, the Columbia River stretches wide like it's catching its breath and boom you arrive at The Dalles Lock and Dam Visitor Center. This is where you stop, step out, and really take it in. The dam itself The Dalles Dam was built between 1952 and 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, costing about $243 million at the time. It stretches over 3,000 feet across the river, holding back a force that doesn't negotiate. And right here at the visitor center, you get one of the best vantage points to witness it all. The visitor center is the kind of place that sneaks up on you in a good way. Clean, well-kept, and loaded with surprisingly interesting exhibits. You'll find displays breaking down how the locks work (yes, real ships get lifted and lowered like something out of a mechanical dream), plus the history of the river, trade routes, and the raw power behind hydroelectric generation. It's educational without feeling like homework. Step outside though that's the real show. You stand there watching the water churn, hearing that low, constant thunder, and it hits you: this isn't just scenery. It's controlled chaos. And like any place where man wrestles nature into submission, there's a weight to it. You can't help but think about the lives, the risks, the cost beyond dollars. These places are as much graveyards as they are achievements quietly demanding respect. Five stars, easy. It's beautiful. It's a little eerie if you let your imagination wander. And it's one of those stops that turns a road trip into something more than just miles on pavement. Next stop. John Day then Baker City And I swear these dams just keep getting dammier.

They had different raptors in the visitor center. Pretty cool. We came by to watch the bald…read moreeagles. We saw 8 of them today.

This is an interesting spot, especially to see the fish ladder. The day I was there I saw a ton of…read morelamprey swimming around, as well as a few steelheads and some smaller fish I couldn't identify. It's set up very nicely for tourists, and everything is well labeled. You can take yours, but I chose not to. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Great post waterfalls hike. Washington side you'll be able to see the generators. Loved it.read more

The Fruit Loop in Oregon is such a fun way to get your fruits and wine in. This picturesque route…read moreis lined with fruit stands, lavender farms, wineries, and stunning orchards. There are cherries, apples, pears, and more. many of the stands offer the chance to pick your own fruit. One minute you're sampling farm-fresh fruit, and the next, you're sipping local wines with panoramic views of Mount Hood. The wineries are charming and offer a variety of wines. Fantastic Day!

Hood River is my happy place and that includes the wonderful Fruit Loop, worth driving in every…read moreseason to take in the incredibly stunning vistas! The 35 mile loop in Hood River Valley is peppered with farms and vineyards, many with farm stands or tasting rooms so you can sample and purchase the heavenly fruits, jams, pies, wines, hard cider, flowers and treats along the way. For me the ride is as exhilarating as the farm stands. Around every corner you catch glimpses of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, depending on the direction you're heading, snow capped and standing tall and proud against a bright blue sky with rolling hills and vineyards in the foreground. As you head up 35, Mt. Hood becomes so large it spans the entire windshield of your car. Pull over on the side shoulder for some magnificent snapshots. During spring the hills are white and pink from the fruit tree blossoms creating incredible landscape images that are instagram worthy! The Cider Festival in April is worth the trip, pick up the map and visit the various cider houses for flights or pints. In the summer, visiting the lavender farms is a must! Rows and rows, acres and acres, of purple waves making for a wonderful backdrop. Blueberries, Marionberries, strawberries and cherries can be picked at many farms. Late summer, the sunflower farms are just stunning. Fall brings the Harvest festival with barrels of every varietal of apples and pears imaginable, and all things made from them! Of course there are pumpkins, gourds and corn as well. Most vineyards and stands have picnic tables outside so you can purchase and enjoy a meal and drinks right in the gardens and vineyards, perfect right now during Covid-19 times. Allows you to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature, safely. As you leave downtown Hood River you will see a sign for Panoramic Point. Turn and make this your first stop. The gates are currently closed so you can't drive your car up the hill, but it's worth parking and walking up the hill for the aptly named panoramic vista you will encounter. Next, visit the Gorge Whitehouse, my favorite and a must stop. The big White House with black shutters is located on a magnificent piece of property. The hills in muted shades of green and gold with fields of flowers and apple & pear orchards in the foreground is so stunning it almost looks like a painting. Get a pint of their pear-lemon cider and some snacks from the food truck and sit at a picnic table and just relax, enjoy, take it all in. Make sure to buy fresh picked cherries to take home! And a growler of the cider because you can only buy it there. You will thank me. A little further down the road is a Packer Orchards for fresh berry pies, cookies, jams, syrups and ice cream. Stop at Draper Girls Cider for delicious small batch ciders. In Parkdale, Solera Brewery has one of the best views of Mt. Hood from the picnic tables out back. Get an adult beverage and enjoy their pulled pork bowl, which is basically pulled pork nachos, and enough for two. There is always something spectacular to do and see along the Hood River Fruit Loop. It's a place I visit several times a year and never tire of it. Each season brings new vistas and bounty. The drive out there is just as gorgeous making it a pleasurable day trip or weekend. Go. Eat. Drink. Photograph. Enjoy.

This is a really solid trail in The Gorge…read more The main advantages of it are: 1) It's less crowded than most. 2) It links into many other trail systems. There is a waterfall view on this trail, but it's not as mind-shattering as so many other falls in The Gorge can be. Beware of ticks though, sheesh. I must've pulled 7 or 8 off of me as we did a loop in the area.

Herman Creek Falls is a gorgeous, peaceful spot up above the Columbia River Gorge. To head up in to…read moreHerman Creek Trail, one may begin from various spots in the Gorge. We started at the currently-closed Herman Creek campground. Trailhead parking is permitted. There is limited parking in the lot and a generally-clean vault toilet available. Pay at the pay station before you head out on the trail. The initial portion in to the falls is a steady, clear switch-back climb. The trail is varied and beautiful regardless of season. (We have done this trail several times now and it has quickly become a favorite!) Even when there are other hikers, there is such a peacefulness about this hike. On a clear day, sweeping views present themselves around surprise corners and the falls are quite lovely. Watch your footing as the trail narrows and drops off a bit at several points.

This is a little hidden gem. We love fish. This is the farm where the fish live before they are…read moretaken to Bonneville Fish Hatchery. I found it in a guidebook. We were leaving Cascade Falls and I saw a sign! There wasn't a soul here. Just a handful of these tanks with tiny fish, CoHo and Spring Chinook Salmon. It's fun to see them so tiny before you head over to Bonneville, which is a whole other review. Didn't take more than 15 minutes to see what there was to see. I'm glad we stopped.

We had an absolutely amazing time on the water with Jim and Liz for our friend's elopement! Jim and…read moreLiz are friendly, personable, and professional. They gave us an overview of the boat and route and then let us walk around and enjoy our time. Jim was a wonderful officiant and Liz snapped some great photos! We couldn't have asked for a better day!

What an experience ! I've never been sailing and this was a beautiful start ! Devon the captain was…read moreamazing and informative ! Felt like the perfect night ! Wound highly highly recommend!