Tuesday when we arrived, we wasted no time exploring our room, the hotel, and taking a plunge in the pool. The pool was outside, but heated. There was also a hot tub and a sauna. Fun, fun! After a short swim, we walked the shops in Hood River and then headed to the water front park for some play time and dinner out. Back at the hotel with night closing in on us, it was time for some moon glow pool and hot tub relaxation.
Happy Anniversary, Lover! Wednesday we enjoyed a free delicious breakfast inside the hotel's restaurant before setting off for a hike. Biscuits and gravy, hash and potatoes, and french toast. Yum.
We hiked Catherine Creek last year, but only the lower paved path (the day use area). This time, with only Anthony in tow, we wanted to explore the upper Catherine Creek so we could see the Catherine Creek Arch. I brought my mom's macro lens along, excited to shoot all the flowers, but unfortunately I guess we were a bit too early this year. There were flowers, but it wasn't like last time we went, flowers at every turn. So I guess we'll just have to go back in a few weeks!
The hike was really nice. Anthony loved climbing the rocky hills and it was fun to cross the creek. I got a few shots of some flowers, a feather, and some bugs, but focused more on enjoying the hike rather than seeking out things to photograph.
We almost missed seeing Catherine Creek Arch. You can't climb up to it, in it, or over it anymore (we read that it's blocked off due to past high-traffic causing damage to it), and from the trail we almost passed it on by before realizing what we were looking at was indeed the arch. So, a little anti-climatic if you're hiking the trail to see the arch, but the hike itself up and into the hills provides you with beautiful views that is totally worth it! We would do the hike again for sure.
After our hike, we met up with Grandma Cathy for lunch at Solstice. We had a delicious lunch of pizza and mac and cheese, then she headed home with Anthony so Sam and I could have a night to ourselves. Yay.
But what to do? After we sat in the car for 30 minutes, haha, we finally decided on another hike; the Hood River Pipeline Trail. You park down by the old building, then follow the train tracks for a ways until you see the dirt trail. You're only on the dirt trail a short while before you're crossing the river via the metal walkway on top of the bridge (creepy!). The rest of the trail is actually the metal walkway that is literally on top of the old pipeline.
It was an awesome hike, we really dug it! It was fun reaching the end of the trail, which abruptly ends because....well, there is no more pipe to walk on! We definitely want to take the kids on this hike, I think they would love following the metal walkway and being creeped out from being over the water at times!
After our hike we headed back to the hotel and had a drink at the restaurant. We spent some time in the sauna and hot tub, then capped the night off with ordered-in dessert and leftovers from lunch!
Thursday morning we slept in and it was glorious! We lounged in bed, drank coffee, then did another round of sauna, pool, and hot tub before eating another free delicious breakfast and checking out.
I'm pretty sure we will put this hotel on our list to stay at again, even if it's just for a night away to enjoy the pool and a day hike!
We really had a nice anniversary getaway. Thanks, Lover.
With love,
Mama Hauck
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