Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I also would like a pony to improve my balloon juice experience.

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

The current Supreme Court is a rogue court. Very dangerous.

There is one struggling party in US right now, and it’s not the Democrats.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

The words do not have to be perfect.

A democracy can’t function when people can’t distinguish facts from lies.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

When they say they’re pro-life, they don’t mean yours.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

Never forget that he train is barreling down on Trump, even as he dances on the tracks.

The Supreme Court is corrupt. Democrats must win in November and force court reform.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

Fuck that bum, let’s go Joe!

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

The most dangerous place for a black man in America is in a white man’s imagination.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

You are here: Home / Photo Blogging / On The Road / On The Road – frosty – 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge – Oregon – Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – Engineering

On The Road – frosty – 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge – Oregon – Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – Engineering

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On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.

From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.

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frosty

The Historic Columbia River Highway is the oldest scenic highway in the US; the first paved road in the Gorge expressly designed for sightseers. It was started in 1915 when auto ownership exploded in Portland, and finished in 1922. It was designed by Samuel G. Lancaster to integrate the road with cliffs, forests, and the river and much of it was constructed by Italian stonemasons. I didn’t get a lot of pictures, but here’s some idea of how he designed and built the road.

We also stopped at Bonneville Dam, built in 1937. It was the first federal dam on the Columbia, and together with Grand Coulee it produced enough electricity to make it cheap to refine aluminum (an electrical process), critical to Boeing’s bomber construction in Seattle. President Truman said “Without Grand Coulee and Bonneville dams it would have been almost impossible to win this war.”

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 7

Elephant Rock. Lancaster had the crews remove only the minimum amount of the rock as possible to pass traffic.

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 6

Shepherd’s Dell Bridge. All of the bridges were unique and all beautiful. Engineers are trained to design to meet the specs efficiently at the lowest cost manageable. Some, and I think this includes a lot of bridge designers, approach the job like architects and design for aesthetics as well.

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 5

Stone guardrail

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 4

Samuel G. Lancaster

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 3

Bonneville Dam spillway

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 2

One of the two powerhouses

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering 1

Underwater view of the fish ladder, from the Visitor Center

On The Road - frosty - 3rd Annual National Park/COVID Challenge - Oregon - Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area - Engineering

Hummingbird at Bonneville Dam

Reader Interactions

15Comments

  4. 4.

    Trivia Man

    Iso appreciate the old walls, paths, and stairs that were built to last and had artistic intent. Lots of the WPA stuff is lije that. The stone wall you show is a good example.

    I enjoy hearing about the stuff in the pictures as much asi enjoy the pictures.

  5. 5.

    WaterGirl

    That first bridge is gorgeous.  And the last photo is so charming!

    Hey BJ peeps, the OTR slots are all filled for next week, but after that, nada.  So if you’ve been thinking you’d like to put something together for OTR, now would be a good time.

  7. 7.

    mvr

    WPA projects had an aesthetic that I tend to like. But I also think that they often look even better with age.

    Thanks for this!

  8. 8.

    MelissaM

    yeah, so OTR should just be renamed “add to bucket list” or “add to to-do list.” Because Columbia River Gorge is now on there for this midwesterner.

  9. 9.

    worn

    Hey, that’s my backyard (figuratively)!

    The Gorge is a seriously spectacular place and the historic highway is studded with what feels like an endless parade of stunning cascades. I do wish there was a shot of Oenata Gorge in the set; it is a little grotto like cleft in the basalt that looks like something painted by Roger Dean in the 70’s.

    Thanks for sharing!

  10. 10.

    StringOnAStick

    The Columbia gorge is so impressive, and the WPA structures so add to the charm.  I really love my adopted home of Oregon, we’re living our best lives here.

  12. 12.

    JustRuss

    30 years in Oregon and I’ve only driven parts of that scenic highway.  Top of my bucket list when I retire this year.

  14. 14.

    pieceofpeace

    @StringOnAStick: As a former Portlander, hiking around the falls for years, I miss them.  I hope you’ve gotten to know the state and its many assets, like the Shakespearian-sp? fest, explore and raft its rivers, and coastline.  And Sun River is special any time of year with Mt. Bachelor for hiking or skiing. Then the NE corner has the Wallowa Mts and Snake River scenic areas, near Joseph, OR.

    These pictures are lovely, and I  like the first and last ones, good framing.   Thanks for these loving glimpses you’ve captured.

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