Mt. Hood

Enjoyed the Mt. Hood Scenic Loop, which follows the Columbia River to Hood River, then south and west again around Mt. Hood.  Along the way is the County Fruit Loop, which routes you past wineries, orchards and farms with delicious local produce.  Stopped and picked up some berries, peaches, jam, wine and chocolate at various points along the way.

Parked overnight at Montavon's Berries, part of the Fruit Loop and also a member of Harvest Hosts.  Harvest Hosts is a community of farmers, winemakers and RVers who have joined together to create a new alternative to campgrounds. As a subscriber, I can park my self-contained RV at a participating farm, orchard or vineyard overnight at no charge.  Of course, a look around and a purchase of the farm's wares (or even helping in the fields) is encouraged and welcomed.  Montavon's has a lovely view of Mt. Hood as a backdrop.  I stayed the night, bought some blueberries, and went on my way.

View from Montavon's Berry Farm

Got out and hiked along the way in one of the many snow parks in the area, which in August are vast fields of summer mountain flowers, as if planted there by a master gardener.

I drove up to the Timberline Lodge, built as a WPA project during the Great Depression, and oft recognized as the exterior of the Overlook Hotel in the movie The Shining and ate breakfast in the Lodge before taking a hike within view of Mt. Hood.

Approaching Timberline Lodge

Anyone want to hike to Mexico?

It's hard to get my head around 80 degrees air temperature and a snowfield under my feet!

It's also hard to get my head around skiing in August, but there were both skiers and snowboarders enjoying the slopes (if you zoom in you'll see little skier bodies to the right of the ski lift).