November 2012
Special Edition
  
In This Issue:
 
 
WELCOME TO THE KING OF ROADS
  

The Historic Columbia River Highway News is your source for updates and information regarding efforts to remember, restore and reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail--a world class adventure from Portland to The Dalles.  

 

Chanticleer Inn
              Historic View from Chanticleer Inn   
 Today, it is the Portland Women's Forum Viewpoint 

 

GetinspiredGet Inspired by Gorge Art!

 

Visit the Architectural Heritage Center, in Portland, this November and December to view their art exhibit entitled "Gorge Inspirations."

 

The Center is located at 701 SE Grand Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. Their hours are Wednesday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visit their website for more information. 

 

Stephanie Cissna
Painting by Stephanie Cissna

The exhibit features artists who have drawn their inspiration from the Columbia River Gorge. Artists include: Stephanie Cissna, Shawn Demarest, David Greene, CJ Hurley, Brad Lorang, Dave Shelman, Heather Soderberg, Jean Thomas and Aaron Trotter.

 

Additionally, Clarence Mershon's collection of historic photos depicting the construction of the Historic Highway will be on loan from the Rooster Rock State Park Office.

 

Gorge Events at the Architectural Center

Mark your calendars for the First Friday openings in November and December and for the following events at the Center:

 

Fri. November 2 - First Friday Art Exhibit Opening, 6:00 - 8:00 pm, featuring a guest presentation by Renee Tkach who will provide the Friends of the Gorge's vision for the Towns to Trails program

 

Wed. November 7 -  Lunchtime Lecture, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Tom Kloster will give a presentation on Hole in the Wall Falls - the only man made waterfall in the Gorge. Kristen Stallman will share how this project fits into large vision to reconnect the Historic Highway as trail through the Gorge.

 

Wed. November 14 - Lunchtime Lecture, 12:00 - 1:00 pm, John Harrison will provide a presentation on Mona Bell. John is the author of A Woman Alone, Mona Bell, Sam Hill and the Mansion on Bonneville Rock  

 

Thurs. December 6 - Gorge Stories for the Curious- 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Gorge travel writer, Scott Cook and Lewis & Clark Professor Stephanie Arnold will host a round table discussion on what makes the Gorge a fascinating place. Bring those nagging questions and your own Gorge story.

 

Fri. December 7 - First Friday Art Exhibit Opening - 6:00 - 8:00 pm hosted by Friends of Vista House and Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway -- A great opportunity to meet the folks behind the preservation of Oregon's iconic structures and landscapes.

 

Onegreatroad"One Great Road"

 

In a collaboration between Travel Oregon and ODOT, a new video and brochure, called "One Great Road," has been produced highlighting the economic benefits of the Historic Highway and State Trail. The video features the stories of people who currently work near or in association with the Historic Highway and State Trail - Ben Zimmerman from 10 Speed Coffee in Mosier, Kevin Price with Oregon State Parks, Todd Roll with Pedal Bike Tours and many more.

 

This video demonstrates the link between people, the community and the Highway and the direct

Bike Ride in Mosier
A group ride in Mosier

impacts that this wonderful resource provides. With the reconnection of the final 10 miles of the Historic Highway as a State Trail, communities of the Gorge will see tremendous economic benefits as visitors and locals have the opportunity to experience the Gorge along the Historic Highway and State Trail.  Watch the video on YouTube  

WarrenfallsWarren Falls is Featured on Oregon Field Guide

  

Kristen Stallman, ODOT Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Coordinator and Tom Kloster provided information about Warren Falls (which was re-routed to create Hole-in-the-Wall Falls) on a story that aired on Oregon Field Guide on October 25th. Learn more about Warren Falls, which has been blocked for more than 70 years. The story is available to view on the OPB website at: www.opb.org/ofg

 

Hole In the Wall Falls
Hole in the Wall Falls

 

trailupdateHistoric Highway State Trail Construction Update 

 

If you have been on I-84 in the Gorge lately, you probably have wondered what is happening on the south side of I-84, just west of Bonneville Dam. Construction crews are hard at work building the

missing piece in the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail between Warrendale and Cascade Locks.

 

Nearly the full length of the trail has been paved. Throughout the winter the construction crew will work on installing railings and completing wall construction. The final step will be to extend the trail underneath the westbound lane of I-84 to connect with the existing Moffett Creek to Cascade Locks trail. This is a challenging section as a complicated wall system will be constructed to maneuver past some steep terrain allowing the trail to connect to the historic Moffett Creek Bridge.

 

McCord Bridge--New
A sneak peek at the new bridge over McCord Creek

Once construction of this 1.6 mile trail is complete in Summer 2013, cyclists and pedestrians will no longer be forced to travel on the shoulder of I-84 between Troutdale and Cascade Locks. Learn more on ODOT's website 

 

getinvolvedGet Involved in the Preservation of the

Historic Columbia River Highway

   

The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will meet at Bonneville Dam Auditorium on December 11 from 10 am - 3 pm. The meeting highlights include funding and construction updates; a new gatweway sign in The Dalles, a geotechnical report on future sections of the State Trail and a wayfinding plan update. For more information and an agenda contact Kristen Stallman

 

For more information on the Advisory Committee, click here

 

Your Thoughts
  • Share this newsletter with your friends and colleagues by clicking on the Forward email link below. 
  • Please email Kristen if you want to be added to the mailing list. Names are not shared. 
  • Tell us what you think of this update.  What would you like to see in future issues? 
Contact:  
Kristen Stallman, Historic Columbia River Highway Coordinator
Oregon Department of Transportation, Region 1