Oregon,

I take the Discovery Trail along the Columbia River. When complete, the trail will go between The Dalles Dam and the Discovery Center about ten miles long. The River Front Park portion is closed through June to facilitate Canadian Goose nesting but when it is open you can only go four fifths of a mile before a water barrier prevents you from going further east unless you scrabble along the side of I-84 in some nasty rocks that at times are infested with rattle snakes. That four fifths of a mile had some of the best black berries until last year when the National Guard bulldozed a major portion of it for the trail. My wife and I put up 200 pounds of seedless jam last year from that patch. Hopefully it will grow back but now that it is so accessible, there will be competition for the best berries.

I would recommend that if you want to try the current trail take I-84 east to exit 85 and turn left into the Boat Basin parking lot. Park there. It is a more visible and generally has a Fish and Wildlife person on duty paying for bounty fish. If the River Front Park is open, walk east to the current end of the trail. There are public restrooms at both the park and Boat Basin. Then turn around and follow closer to the river along a the old original foot path back to the park rather than the new paved trail. Once you are back at the Boat Basin continue west were you again will be on the Discovery Trail. The paved trail ends along side the Cherry Growers Associations Processing Plant. Keep going west along 1st Street, which is the road you are on. Turn right at your first opportunity, go one short block along the front of the offices of the Growers Association. Then turn left on Bargeway Road. Continue on Bargeway until you see the paved trail again going to your right heading to the Wind Seeker Restaurant on the river. The trail is complete from this point on. If you are ever in doubt where there is a fork in the trail always head for the river. The Disovery Center is about another four miles. Take plenty of water especially if it is hot.

When you get to the Columbia River Discovery Center and Wasco County Historical Museum, relax by spending a few hours there. Then go around back on a paved trail to the west to an over look of the Klickitat Hills on the Washington side of the Columbia. Their restaurant is good but if you can make it back to the Wind Seeker, I recommend you eat there on their outside deck. This is the narrowest part of the river. They also have both a good selection of wines and beer. The prior owner used to serve great Yak and Bison cuts that was from a ranch across the river. Then head back to the Boat Basin. I recommend this direction since you will be walking against the prevailing wind and going up hill part of the way. On your return it will be mostly down hill and with the wind to you back. Bring a camera and have it at the ready. The wild life is not always where you think it will be. Most of the mule deer and foxes are just west of the Rodeo Grounds along River Road.

If we ever meet, I will trade you bing cherries for filberts.