8”x8” oil on canvas

Elowah Falls, Colombia Gorge area East of Portland

On the hike back from the top of the two tiered falls, I took a photo of the lower falls as it shoots out of the center of the gorge. The millennia it has taken to carve these rocks was not lost on me. After last weeks journey into the heart of the downtown area, and the strong emotions stirred by interactions with the residents of the streets, I decided I had to get out into the wild. I may need another nature bath before I go back into the city, I will certainly have to pace myself with city scapes. This country boy can only take so much concrete, glass and steel.

Brief history of the area from the state parks website

The falls were named Elowah in 1915 by a committee of the Mazamas and other organizations. In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a bridge across McCord Creek and 1.5 miles of foot trail. The park was named for John B. Yeon (1865-1928) pioneer lumberman and realtor of Portland. He was a prime supporter of the Columbia River Highway. As Multnomah County Roadmaster from 1913 to 1917, Yeon supervised initial construction of the highway, complimenting his salary and backing the project financially. He served on the Oregon Highway Commission in the years 1920-1923.