If you’re looking for an excuse to get out of town this weekend, consider heading out to the *gorgeous* Gorge for two days of festival shenanigans in North Bonneville. Things started off this morning with a huge network of garage sales—I’m sure the professional pickers have had their way with the good stuff, but who knows, if you fling off your tie right this moment, say fuck it, and hop in the car right now, you may still find some gems! Otherwise, there’s a barbecue this evening followed by a “sock hop” street dance, which sounds like some old people cuteness: think poodle skirts and classic cars. It could go either way. If you prefer your cars without the socks and hops, tomorrow’s car show goes from 10 am-3 pm, plus more garage sales, food, a beer garden, arts and craft vendors, a library book sale, live Brazilian music, and a treasure hunt along the trails.
Alternatively, you could just go for a hike.
I was up there last weekend, and the scenic highway that goes between the Lookout dome thing and the waterfalls was a complete and utter clusterfuck. I’d recommend skipping that and instead going to The Dalles Lock and Dam. Just make sure not to bring any fireworks or guns with you, since it’s a protected federal site and stuff.
watch out for poison oak if you head into the woods, particularly on the Washington side of the river
Don’t forget the Bonneville Hot Springs for a good rejuvenating soak. Therte is a hot springs resort in Carson, also. Just a few miles east. I had a real bad case of poison oak once and used the mineral water soak to help clear it up.