Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hi, I'm John Williams.
This is the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center
and the Wasco County Historical Museum near The Dalles Oregon.
It's the official interpretive center of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Come on. I'll Take you back in time.
Oh about ten thousand years.
The U.S. Forest Service in co-operation with state and local agencies along with
private contributions have created this wonderful facility.
All on one floor forty eight thousand square feet and it's amazingly accessible.
The folks here aren't knowledgeable and happy you're here. They'll ensure you have a
pleasant and memorable time here at the Gorge Discovery Center.
There is admission so check the website: gorgediscovery.org
Everyday they are demonstrations and interpretive talks.
Here, I'm meeting a new friend. You can too up close and personal a little later.
I'm learning about a particular rifle William Clark used on the expedition.
Fascinating Oregon history. Let's follow the river to the Discovery Center.
Here you'll learn about how the Gorge topography was created and much more.
These lands were inhabited by Indian people as long as ten thousand years ago.
And look who else was here ten thousand years ago.
Lewis and Clark's Expedition stopped near here in October 1805.
They made camp just downstream from the mouth of Mill Creek at the Dalles.
Learn all about the people who followed their dream for a new life and settled in this magnificent, bountiful land here in the Oregon Territory.
Travelers on the Oregon Trail had to make a decision when they arrived at this very place.
Put all of their earthly belongings on a raft and hope they could navigate the wild untamed Columbia River.
Or go over the treacherous mountain passes on their way deeper into the Oregon Territory
and the Pacific Ocean.
Now a couple of times each day you'll meet some of the birds of prey that call this area home.
An inspiring way to learn about falcons, hawks, owls and eagles.
Get up-close with a raptor. Presented by museum personnel and the Discovery
Center River Gallery. It's included with your paid admission.
Across from the Discovery Center is the Wasco County Historical Museum.
Pains taking efforts have been made to showcase the area's history, the people, the development.
At what cost both in blood and treasure?
Missionaries. The development of the railroad and the plentiful natural resources.
Even the little pioneers can get involved with an interactive play area.
There's much more to see outdoors including realistic sites of the first pioneers to Wasco County.
Using Lewis and Clark expedition plant records from 1805,
native plants and vegetation has been reintroduced to this area as part of a rehabilitation effort.
Keep in mind only a few years ago before the center was built
this was the site of an old cement plant.
Interpreted talks can be heard along this trail nearly everyday presented by
the U.S. Forest Service.
Stories about the land, the indian people that first inhabited this country,
missionaries and the pioneers who came across the United States to settle here.
Just outside his Disovery Center is the River Front Trail.
Now with the exception of the steep entrance here to the trail
this paved path runs along the river
all the way for The Dalles.
A little more than 5 miles.
It's great for wheelchairs and comfortable for those with limited vision.
With plenty of disability parking out front
and with the pickup and drop off area close to the door you'll have no problem negotiating
The Gorge Discovery Center and the land surrounding it.
There's so much to see and do here and we have only scratched the surface
so when it's cloudy and wet on the west side of the mountains
come on over to the east side to the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center
and the Wasco County Historical Museum.
It's only a ninety minute drive from downtown Portland.
i'm John Williams and I'll see you soon for another accessible journey.