Today was a much more typical day in the Gorge, weather-wise: clouds, rain showers, wisps of fog hanging in the hillsides. My brother and I went to look for some Klickitat Pottery at Dickey Farms in Bingen, Washington. When we were kids, our parents used to drive to Dickey Farms to purchase many boxes of peaches and pears for canning. I don't remember if there was a gift shop attached 'way back then, but there is now. I already own one mug made by that local pottery shop, and was interested in making another purchase for this trip's souvenir. I found a lovely vase, and got it all packed up to take home in my suitcase already, so no photo until I get home. Instead, here is a photo of the kraut cabbages that were available for purchase. The bananas are for scale:
After eating a tasty Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato-Avocado sandwich at Crosscut Espresso and Deli in Carson, Wa, we drove on up the Wind River Highway to look at a restoration project on Trout Creek. The Hemlock Dam was removed ten years ago, and great effort was made to restore the creek bed, largely for the benefit of spawning steelhead trout. It is a fascinating story, and I suggest you click here if you would like to read more about it.
Hemlock Lake, created by the dam, used to be right here. My brother remembers going swimming in it long ago.
I was standing on the highway bridge to take this photo, looking downstream. The dam used to be directly in front of the bridge.
If you look closely, you can see a little bit of the old fish ladder that was here long ago. The zoom capabilities on my phone aren't great, but I think you can see it. That, and a little bit of the dam abutments, are all that can be seen of the old dam ten years after it was removed. The underbrush and moss have taken over like they ought to.
Speaking of moss, check out the rocks in the foreground of this photo. Even though I lived in this area for 13 years, long ago, the green-ness of this area still astounds me.
Our last stop was the Government Mineral Springs, where Iron Mike bubbling spring produces water heavy with iron. We were amused to find new signs announcing the water is not potable because it doesn't meet certain standards. People have been drinking it for years, just for the novelty, but it always tasted bad to me as a child, and it still does. (Yes, I tasted it again today.)
The lush, green growth in this area is the result of many days like today: cool and damp.
Built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this former guard station is now a rental cabin. I am not quite sure how best to go about referencing my source, but the following paragraph was copied from this site. It is so well-written, I prefer not to try to paraphrase.
"Nestled in a grove of towering old-growth conifer trees, the Government Mineral Springs Guard Station is a delightful setting for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The Government Mineral Springs area has been a draw to recreation enthusiasts since the early 1900's. In 1910, S.D. Fox and the Star Brewing Company of Portland began construction of a hotel near Trapper Creek, which eventually became known as Government Mineral Springs. The popular resort boasted bath houses, Iron Mike Bubbling Springs, a dance pavilion, store, ice cream parlor, goldfish ponds and flower gardens. Early advertisements for the resort claimed the mineral water spas were capable of curing physical ailments. In 1935, the hotel burned to the ground. Camping remained popular at the site, and in 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps significantly expanded and developed the public campground and built the guard station, which was used for Forest Service administration of the campground and other local recreational use. Today, the cabin provides a unique lodging opportunity. Guests should be aware that during the winter season, the cabin is only accessible via a half-mile trek on skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles from the parking area. There is no motor vehicle access from the road that leads to the cabin when snow is present on the road. Parking at the snow park is required, and requires a snow park pass. This pass can be purchased at local vendors."
My brother read somewhere that important Portland businessmen used to come out to the hotel for the weekend with their "nieces." Human nature has not changed over the years, but back then some things were less blatant, so they were obliged to travel 65 miles on lousy roads with their little strumpets to have their flings.
And on that sordid note, I will end today's travel tales. Stay tuned for more!