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Northwest Local Event Calendar

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View of Mount Hood from Chinidere Mountain above Wahtum Lake

Hood River, the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood Area

We went hiking in September near Wahtum Lake, located between Hood River and Mount Hood. On the way we stopped at a wonderful thrift store called Good Karma and Alice's Orchard and Fruit Stand

Good Karmer is located at 1120 Tucker in Hood River. Good Karma is my kind of junk store with great prices and a wonderful variety.

Outside of Good Karma Thrift Shop

Alice's Orchard & Fruit Stand is located at 1623 Orchard Road. They have a little store in the orchard where you can buy your produce already picked or go into the orchard and chose your own. In early September they had two varieties of pluots, Gala Apples, Ginger Gold Apples, Pears, and Elberta Pearches. Alice's is just one of many wonderful fruit stands and orchards around Hood River.

For a wonderful peaceful hike, you might want to take a family outing to Wahtum Lake. You cannot drive directly to the lake shore. You'll have to hike down to the lake. Going down is the easy part. Going up requires a steep climb on a mostly stair step trail. Of course you could take the long way around the lake by following the old road. If you take the side trip up Chinidere Mountain, you'll be rewarded with a panaromic view of the Hood River Valley with spectacular views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, Mount Ranier, Mount St. Helens, Wahtum Lake and the beginnings of the Eastern Oregon Desert.

October Festivals in Hood River

We took a trip through the Columbia River Gorge in late October to visit the 24th Annual Hood River Valley Harvest Festival and the Parkdale Fine Arts and Music Festival. I know many people travel to the East Coast to see the wonderful colors of the leaves in the fall. On a sunny autumn day, I think much of Oregon rivals the splendor not only in the colors, but in the scenery. Just beyond the city of Hood River is Hwy 35 which will take you to Mount Hood.

Photos

Small home orchard with Mt. Adams in the background

Red Barn, Cows and country side in the Hood River Valley, Oregon.

View of Mount Adams and the Hood River Valley from Panorama Point of Hwy 35

More of the Hood River Valley from Panorama Point

Stream running along Hwy 35 between Hood River Oregon and Mount Hood.

Hood River Valley Harvest Festival

This was a very well attended festival in the town of Hood River. Although both produce and fine art and crafts were offered at the festival, I was not allowed to photograph vendors booths. I've picked out my favorites and I'll provide contact information. Many of the vendors were quite busy keeping up with customers.

Parkdale Fine Arts & Music Festival

I just want to mention that although we didn't spend a lot of time taking pictures of the Parkdale Fine Arts & Music Festival. We did see many beautiful items and fine artisans in Parkdale. One in particular stand out, Zewei (Willa) O'Connor who is a textile artist. You can view some of her items at her website, Dreamscape Studio Textile Art & Clothing.

Parkdale is a charming community close between Mount Hood and Hood River, off of Hwy 35.

For more information about Hood River events, please visit the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce.