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Embark on an unforgettable journey with me to the picturesque Hood River, Oregon, a destination renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and outdoor adventures. For this adventure, we opted to pedal along the rails, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills, allowing for a feeling and sense of freedom and excitement like never before. The gentle hum of the motor and the rhythmic clatter of the tracks beneath created a symphony of sounds that harmonize with the natural beauty of the surroundings.
Hood River, nestled in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, offers a plethora of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and food lovers alike. After driving 2-3 hours, we finally reached the charming town of Hood River, Oregon, around 8:30 pm, eager to check in and unwind at the cozy Inn at the Gorge. However, as we navigated the dimly lit streets in the darkness of the night, we encountered a small challenge – locating the parking lot. It seemed like a bit of a puzzle as we followed what appeared to be a narrow alleyway, wondering if we were on the right path. Thankfully, we located the cozy Inn. Now, it was time to check in and hope to get a restful night’s sleep before our adventure in the morning.
The Inn offers a self-check in system, featuring keypad locks on both the main entrance as well as the individual room doors. Allowing a seamless and efficient way for guests to access their accommodations. We stayed in the “Secret Room”, one of many named rooms offered by the Inn. The photo with the curtains was taken at 10:30 pm and it looks like it’s daylight outside. This is because the string lights on the wraparound porch were right outside of our room window. Although the blackout curtains helped filter out most of the light, it was still bright enough to make it difficult to fall asleep. The bed was incredibly comfortable though so that helped in staying asleep, once we were able to fall asleep. Due to the age of the building, there were some quirky aspects that you could encounter. For example, the closet space was accessible from both the bathroom as well as from the bedroom space and if someone is attempting to take a shower while the bathroom sink is being used, the shower water will turn extremely cold. Which may not be a problem should you enjoy an icy shower.
The next morning we woke up early to check out of the Inn and drive to a nearby restaurant to enjoy some delicious breakfast at Egg River Cafe. The Egg River Cafe was a small restaurant with a chicken and farm motif with a quiet and enjoyable atmosphere to slowly wake up to the day. Now that we were fed, it was time to make a quick stop at Doppio Coffee. The coffee shop was not far away from the Cafe and was only a couple of minutes drive from Mount Hood Railroad, our main adventure for the day.
It was a crisp late-October morning as we arrived at Mount Hood Railroad to check in for our 8:30 am tour, which would last about two hours. Mount Hood Railroad offers a variety of experiences for those interested in train rides, orchard trolly tours, e-bikes, and railbikes all year round.
After a short safety tutorial from our tour guide and getting situated in our bikes, we began our adventure. Thankfully, pedaling was not necessary for the entirety of the trip. The railbikes are also motorized so if you get tired of pedaling, you simply need to hold down a small button to be propelled forward! The rhythmic motion of pedaling not only added to the experience of being able to ride a bike on active train tracks, but also helped keep us warm in the chilly autumn air. With it being around 60 degrees with wind chill, I was thankful I opted to bring additional layers on this adventure as we were consistently going between 9 and 12 mph, uphill. Downhill, we reached about 17 mph.
45 minutes into our adventure, and one switch back, we arrived at The Fruit Company. The orchard was not open to the public yet so our group had the chance to explore the gift shop and museum before heading back. Stepping inside the museum, we were greeted by a fascinating model recreation that offered a glimpse into the past. The detailed depiction showcased a cabin, giving us a vivid insight into the daily life of an individual who toiled and resided within the orchard’s grounds.
We were back at the train depot by about 10:30 am, with plenty of time left in the day. Our next focus? Finding other activities to do while in the area. Mainly, finding food. Before making the drive back home, we found a restaurant that looked promising, Riverside. We arrived a little too early to enjoy their lunch menu, so we opted to adventure around the grounds until the restaurant was serving lunch. The atmosphere was quite noisy, due to the combination of loud music playing overhead and the conversations from nearby guests.
Overall Thoughts
Although my experience at the Inn at the Gorge was not ideal, and I would not choose to stay there again, the overall charm and beauty of Hood River made my trip memorable and enjoyable. I look forward to returning to this picturesque town and exploring more of what it has to offer. The weather was quite enjoyable for our late-October adventure in the Pacific Northwest and I hope you choose to visit at some point, if you are able.
Thank you for coming with me on this adventure. Until next time, Adventure Awaits!
