Road Trip through Oregon Day 2 - Cascade Locks to Portland

 

Here's our blog from yesterday - Day 1. We started today with the included breakfast from Best Western Plus in Cascade Locks. Remember this is a small town, the hotel really doesn't have a restaurant for breakfast, so we are given breakfasts at the restaurant next door, a family style restaurant called Bridgeside. This is quite awesome honestly. The breakfast here is great and probably better than any Best Western there is.

Breakfast at Bridgeside, included in the roommates

The restaurant has beautiful water views.

View from our table

Next, we are heading to the Eagle Creek Trailhead. We are not doing the entire Eagle Creek Trail, we are simply going to Punchbowl Falls, then turning around. Punchbowl Falls was one of my 3 favorite places when I visited in 2016 (the other two being Opal Creek and Oneonta Gorge). I knew that due to two different wildfires, Opal Creek and Oneonta Gorge are both gone. From what I could tell, Punchbowl Falls is still there, so I was very excited for this. Eagle Creek Trail is a gorgeous trail. There is the Eagle Creek next to you for most of the hike, and there are some narrow spots that make it quite thrilling. We saw a deer right in the middle of the trail as well.

Eagle Creek Trail

There are many waterfalls along the way, although it's hard to see them well. First major waterfall we are able to see along the trail is Metlako Falls.

Metlako Falls

Deer in the middle of the trail

There were several other waterfalls we could see with our eyes but we really couldn't get pictures of them due to all the leaves and trees in the way. Some of the waterfalls were absolutely beautiful.

Next, we came upon Punchbowl Falls, but it's so different than what I remember in 2016...

Punchbowl Falls

In 2016, you could swim up to Punchbowl Falls. Now, you are on top of it. You can't even get close to the water. What the heck? So I did some research and learned that in 2017, the cliff on the left side collapsed and forever changed the look and access of the falls... This is a punch in the gut, because this is already the only place I thought was leftover from my 3 favorite places from my 2016 trip... Perhaps the takeaway here is, don't wait when you want to go somewhere or see something. It may not be there if you keep waiting... Just to give you an idea, this is what Punchbowl Falls looked like in 2016. You could get so close to it:

Punchbowl Falls in 2016

Punchbowl Falls in 2016

We hiked down to the river and got our feet in the water. It was freezing, and as suspected, no access to the falls (can't even see the falls).

The water here is so pretty. Pictures don't do it justice.

Tonight, we are going back towards Portland because from here on out, we'll be going southward. We are done with any area east of Portland. Our hotel tonight is the Evermore Guesthouse, centrally located and built in 1909, the house has a lot of character, with free parking, snacks, continental breakfast and laundry, it is a great stay for us. Just to be clear: this is a guest house, not a hotel. There's no front desk or check-in. You are given digital check-in information prior to arrival and you are pretty much on your own. There's someone that works there that stays there and there is also a phone number to text if you need anything. 

Our room at Evermore is super spacious, but surprisingly, there's no TV. That's totally OK. I was just surprised. The bathroom is huge with enormous shower and bathtub. 

Our room at Evermore

We come to Gigantic Brewing for a flight of beer, since that's what you do after all the hiking.

Gigantic Brewing

Tonight's dinner is at Gado Gado, an Asian Fusion restaurant with a rice table option. We chose the Pescatarian Rice Table, for $89 per person. Rice Table is a Dutch cuisine where lots of foods are served for the whole table.

Gado Gado restaurant

Assorted house pickles and house made sambals

These are delicious and they keep it refilled.

Pani Puri

Pani Puri

Pani Puri with spicy pickled pineapple, sweet potato tamarind puree, herbed boondi. So delicious.

Zucchini & Corn Fritter, Soft Shell Crab Papaya Salad, Crispy Fried Fishball

Zucchini & Corn Fritter, Soft Shell Crab Papaya Salad, Crispy Fried Fishball

The food just kept coming. Everything tastes great.

Roti Canai, Scented Rice, Blistered Heirloom Tomato Curry, Coconut Clam Curry, Grilled Asparagus & Broccoli Rabe Urap, Roasted Butternut Squash Curry, Wok Fried Omelette

We ate some of the items before taking this picture...

The best thing is definitely the omelette. It's amazing, but everything is delicious. 

Next up, dessert. Orange Cardamom Apple Cider Donuts

The dessert is absolutely amazing as well. Knowing this is one of the cheaper meals this trip, I'm very happy with what is served. I highly recommend this place! Check out Day 3 of our trip here!