PORTLAND, Ore. — The Hood River flows from the foot of Mount Hood down to the banks of the mighty Columbia River, and the drive up the valley is a scenic excursion that will leave you wide-eyed and slack-jawed by the journey.
As winter’s grip gives way to riotous spring, the mountains’ surrounding countryside invites us to play. Local, Kerry Cobb works said, “It’s all about the blossoms right now; we have over 40,000 acres of flowering fruit trees so you want to be here to see it soon.”
Along the valley's famous “Fruit Loop,” you can experience an endless wash of foamy white, pink-tinged blossoms from pear and apple orchards that rise and plunge toward distant horizons.
“The higher you get up the valley, the longer the blooming season lasts. Sometimes it’s a three-week period,” added Cobb. “Even people who have lived here forever — they are stunned by how beautiful it is right now.”
Jack Kennedy is proud to be a life-long local whose family roots run four generations deep across 300 acres of orchards and farmlands — the centerpiece is the family-owned and historic Gorge White House.
He said that when it comes to fruit, his family grows it all: “Cherries, apricots, peaches, pears, apples —we try to get the whole fruit table out there and we want people to stop in and see it all too.”
He admitted that he has to pinch himself sometimes because it is all so beautiful: “Especially on a gorgeous day like this one, you wake up, and it’s a joy to look out and see two beautiful mountains: Mt Hood and Mt Adams.”
The Hood River Valley Fruit Loop is best enjoyed by a slow and easy cruising pace — and it’s best to put on the brakes along the winding roads and pull off the roadway often so to enjoy the stunning views.
This is how getaway days are meant to be enjoyed, perhaps with a stop that provides a delicious reward for your travel efforts at the Apple Valley Country Store, where they whip up some of the richest, thickest huckleberry milkshakes around.
It’s a place that stays in touch with its local history, too! The store reaches back more than a century when hardware, antiques and even fishing tackle ruled the scene.
These days, it’s all about “pastries, pies plus jams and jellies,” according to owner Bob White. “Many of our preserves and pie fillings are wild fruit that people pick and bring to us too.”
For example, they offer wild blackberry and mountain huckleberry in varied forms. Each offers a taste of the valley that you can take back to your hometown.
“Mother Nature at its best,” added White “Just a real beautiful place to come and relax.”
I hope you fall in love with this area for the simple peace of mind that it offers and the stunning view to Mount Hood — taken together, it’s a thrilling getaway experience.
Be sure to watch the weekly half hour program of Grant’s Getaways. The show airs each Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m. on KGW.
You can also learn more about many of my favorite Oregon travels and adventures in the Grant’s Getaways book series, including:
- "Grants Getaways I," Photography by Steve Terrill
- "Grant's Getaways II," Photography by Steve Terrill
- “Grant’s Getaways: 101 Oregon Adventures,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
- “Grant’s Getaways: Guide to Wildlife Watching in Oregon,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
- “Grant’s Getaways: Oregon Adventures with the Kids,” Photography by Jeff Kastner
The book collection offers hundreds of outdoor activities across Oregon and promises to engage a kid of any age.
You can reach me: Gmcomie@kgw.com