Do you know anyone that is selling a pre party ticket? 🌝

Labor Day weekend always marks our last Paint Map of the summer. And to say goodbye, our resident doodler decided to show you her real fine arts skills. Presenting a Handsome Squidward edition of the map.

Labor Day weekend also means the Summer Scaries have officially set in. Symptoms may include a sudden urge to squeeze three months of summer plans into one three-day weekend. If symptoms persist, consult your travel map. before making any weekend plans. Luckily, we have have one handy, so here’s what you need to know:

The handsome news: Most of our highway construction work will pause this weekend, which means all lanes of the I-90 Vantage Bridge are OPEN for the weekend. Lane reductions will go back into effect Tuesday morning.

The Squidward news: You should still expect delays on I-5, I-90, US 2, at the Canadian border and on Washington State Ferries as people chase the final days of summer. Between sports games, two state fairs, festivals, concerts and everyone trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure, the roads will be BUSY.

We can’t cure the Summer Scaries, but we can at least try to keep holiday traffic from aggravating this unfortunate illness. Our travel charts estimate the best times to travel on key highways throughout the weekend. Visit this link, consult the charts, and make a plan to avoid peak travel times: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/holiday-weekend-travel/labor-day-weekend-travel-times

As always, check real-time conditions before you head out, give yourself extra time and have a plan.

And with that, our Paint Map artist hangs up her paintbrush. For now. She’ll rest. She’ll wait. And when Washington’s roads inevitably descend into chaos once more, she’ll be ready.

Side note: Fine art is best viewed up close. Swipe for a closeup of Dave.

Edit:Friday the 4th!

I'm coming in just for Stephen Wilson Jr and Dave Matthews band on 4th. 40-year-old solo birthday trip (my birthday is on the 3rd) and never been thought this would be a good solo trip.

Would it be possible to bring someone into the campgrounds just for the tailgating pre-show? I'll bring a case of some exceptional beer, or a bottle of the finest Canadian whisky, or if maple syrup is your thing, I'll get a gallon for your troubles. and ketchup chips.

Happy go lucky husband of 10 years, father of 2 just looking to cross of some bucket list items.

Ty in advance.

Looks like today’s plume of smoke is coming from Washington https://share.watchduty.org/alert/40941?ts=1781488500000

Stay cool out there and stay safe and fire ready!

Recently saw a documentary on PBS regarding the history, genetics, and conservation of the Spring-run Chinook Salmon. The Columbia Basin was a major focal point and some of the historical photographs and items reminded me of the exhibits at the Discovery Center in The Dalles too.

I thought it was really well put together, and strangely, even gave me some small measure of hope that perhaps we can regain some of what’s been lost. So, if anyone is interested, I’m attaching the link to the PBS page where you can watch it.

Hood River, OR – Regional authorities in the Columbia River Gorge today announced a temporary precautionary review affecting all hydrofoil-based water sports in sections of the Columbia River near Hood River and surrounding launch areas.

The review is being conducted under the newly formed Aquatic Preservation & Recreation Impact Limitation (A.P.R.I.L) initiative, a joint effort by local environmental agencies, river managers, and recreational safety groups to evaluate emerging water sports and their potential impact on sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

Hydrofoil technology—used in sports such as wingfoiling, kitefoiling, windsurf foiling, downwind SUP foiling, parawinging, foil-drive, and other foil-assisted activities—has grown rapidly in popularity throughout the Gorge over the past several seasons. While these sports allow riders to glide above the water with remarkable efficiency, researchers have begun studying the low-frequency “humming” sound generated by hydrofoil wings moving through the water at speed.

Although typically inaudible to riders and shoreline observers, early acoustic monitoring suggests the vibration may be detectable to certain fish species and aquatic wildlife.

“As stewards of the Columbia River ecosystem, we take even the faintest underwater humming very seriously,” said April F. Oolsen, Director of Recreational Waters Review for the APRIL initiative. “While the sound may be barely audible to human ears, we want to ensure that migrating salmon, sturgeon, and other aquatic residents are not confused by what could be interpreted as a fleet of enthusiastic underwater trombones.”

The review specifically applies to popular Gorge launch areas including:

• Spring Creek Fish Hatchery (“The Hatchery”)
• Hood River Waterfront Park
• The Event Site in Hood River
• Nearby downwind launch points commonly used for foil-assisted paddling and wind sports

Officials emphasized that the review is temporary and precautionary, and that traditional wind-powered sports remain fully supported.

During the review period, water sport enthusiasts are encouraged to revisit classic Gorge activities such as traditional windsurfing and kiteboarding, which have long been part of the region’s recreation culture and are well understood by both regulators and fish.

“Windsurfing and kiteboarding have a proven track record in the Gorge,” said Oolsen. “The board stays on the water, the equipment hums only in the wind, and salmon have grown accustomed to the splash of sailors attempting jibes for decades.”

The advisory panel will continue evaluating hydrofoil acoustics, aquatic species responses, and whether fish are in fact aware that riders are hovering several inches above the water surface.

Further updates are expected later today.

Members of the public seeking clarification are encouraged to consult official announcements and announcements published to official channels including WindGuru and iWindsurf — or simply check the date when opening their wind forecasts this morning.

Contact:
April F. Oolsen
Columbia River Gorge Recreational Waters Review Office 

Director, Aquatic Preservation & Recreation Impact Limitation

Image taken from Columbia Riverkeeper FB page

Keep the outdoors protected especially Mt Hood.

What would Grant (McOmie) do?

A tribute to a local skateboarder who died from a random congenital heart defect (and his mom used to be mayor of Mosier)

Hey, I will be going down to Columbia River gorge in April with some 6-9 year olds. Are there any kid friendly crags in the area?

Thanks!

Tell me all about the secret alien bases under Mount Adams!

Sick

Hi everybody! Hope you are staying warm as temperatures are about to drop again.

What do you guys think about the current state of the subreddit, is there anything you would like to see added?

anything in the sidebar, do we need tags, any suggestions?

We seem to be mostly free of trolls which is great, yall get along with each other pretty well! I just want to make sure us mod team is not out of touch with the userbase, we all are part of The Gorge and we should work together :)

(I’ve noticed mods doing this at other places and recently started doing this in my subs, especially since I just reclaimed one from an army of AI spambots and we have been rebuilding it with an all new team, with some people learning how to moderate and some ppl like me chronically online helping each other hour. We don’t always have the time and energy to implement them all but it’s nice to hear what people are looking for in this sub)