ST. MOUNTHOOD.......OREGON

Mult-nomah falls

VIEW AS SEEN FROM THE TRAIN

FRUIT ORCHARDS

COLUMBIA RIVER AS SEEN FROM OUT HOTEL ROOM

SOME TROURIST DRIVING LAZILY IN A VINTAGE CAR

last one was a long weekend here, so we planned to go to ST. Mounthood. On the way we have many falls, trails and vista points. One point was closed to vehicles and when we enquired it was a 7km distance up and down:(..I could never dare to go, but I saw that all others were going even the ones who had children.
We started arfound 9 in the morning by car and by lunch time we reached Troutdale and had our lunch at an Indian restaurant NAMASTEY...it was buffet with good varieties,but the preparations were just OK, anyway atleast I could fill myself well:)
Among all the falls the best was MULTNOMA FALLS.....and it was quite crowded also and there were so many Indians....one pattern I find very amusing and heartening both is...most of the visitors included.one young couple with an old couple(obviously parents)..sometimes they were quite old, not able to walk even properly, but their children had brought them there, as they wanted their parents to see all the things,........funny part is all the mothers wearing oversized jackets and sports shoes with salwar kameez or sari..this is one thing, I personally dont like,but even I have to do it here, wearing shoes with my dresses:).
This fall is very high and very picturesque also, took a tea break here and then drove down to ST> MOUNTOOD..reached there by 7PM, we stayed in BEST WESTERN.. and it was very luxurious and good, it had enough space and then microwave, fridge,even a jacuzzi in the bathroom. Since we had asked for a river view room, they gave us the one with a very good view, sitting on the bed one could see Columbia river. Here I saw many people travelling and staying there with dogs..the size of a lion:) and with the same disregard for the comfort of other people, the way I find it in India...all dog owners say the same thing.....its not going to bite you:), here she went one step more and said...he is not going to eat you:)......
Next day in the complimentary Breakfast there was not much variety for vegetarians, it was just cold cereal, but for non veg..there was everything, so we supplemented it with Starbucks stuff:) and started our journey in the vintage train to the mountain.Here experience begin the moment you step aboard this century old railroad and continues roundtrip to park dell via Odell. Dating from the early 1900, the Excursion train is made of enclosed coaches and a concession car offering light food and beverage My daughter had booked it in the dome car..which is on the top and one gets the best view from there. Its a one and a half hour journey of sheer pleasure, train going thru the pear, cherry, apple orchards..of course the fruits are visible in April only, but the beauty is still there.
On the way I got a pleasant surprise..my SIL and daughter had arranged a cake on the train..( it was my marriage anniversary )........in the morning before going my SIL was saying and asking repeatedly..plate rakh li, plate rakh lena.....I was wondering why do we need a plate, but as is my nature, I dont ask many questions:).
at the top it was a small place with a few shops,one museum and a few restaurants. One hour passed so fast and it was time to board again to come back.While returning we saw an outlet mall and had our dinner at GREAT INDIAN CUISINE in the down town of Washington...and it was delicious.