Horsetail Falls, Columbia River Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n

Native American Indians settled in the Gorge at least 10,000 years ago.  Europeans are relatively new to the area, the first being famed explorers Lewis & Clark, who boated down the Columbia River to the nearby Pacific Ocean.  Oregon Trail pioneers followed, then railroads, sternwheelers and hydroelectric dams.  The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area<\/strong> was established in 1986 and is the largest national scenic area in the United States.   They’ve done a good job of balancing the Gorge’s natural assets (which ranging from temperate rainforest to desert) while cautiously expanding economic opportunity for those communities that exist in the Gorge.<\/p>\n

Besides driving and sight-seeing, there’s no end to the list of activities you can participate in at the Gorge.  Hikers have dozens of great trail options; climbers have mountains and cliffs they can scale.  Because of air pressure differences, wind is often strong through the Gorge making it very popular with wind-surfers, kite-surfers and sailors.  Fisherman and kayakers can find sheltered spots to enjoy the river, and there’s great bird-watching, golfing and biking along the amazing Columbia River.  Camping is an option, but there’s fine inns and hotels, some quite historic.<\/p>\n

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