We Hit The Road! Day One: WA,OR

Our Epic Art*o*mat® Road Trip Day One:
With Laird and the dog joining us in a two-minivan-caravan we rolled out of Tacoma in fog and rain around 10:00 am and made the decision to drive south via The Dalles instead of going over snowy Snoqualmie Pass and through Eastern Washington. It was a great choice because Highway 84 brought us by a couple of not-to-be-missed roadside attractions: Multnomah Falls, and the Stonehenge War Memorial.

Multnomah Falls is a magnificent 611 foot waterfall just steps from the highway and parking lot (so if all you can manage is a drive-by it's a very satisfying looksy).  The rain was unrelenting and Mat was refusing to come out of the warm and cozy minivan for a photo shoot but we had to pause (for a much-needed rest stop) and take a picture even if we couldn't include Mat. It was crowded with Presidents' Day tourists and there was a very busy restaurant that looked equally romantic and pricy with falls views. Maybe some other time...

Misty and romantic Multnomah Falls, OR 

When we got to The Dalles the rain let up a bit and we stopped for a lovely Columbia River view lunch at Windseeker Restaurant. They had a wonderful homemade navy bean and ham soup that warmed us up nicely.  A quick detour from I-84 back over the Columbia to the Washington side via Highway 97 brought us to the quirky-cool concrete Stonehenge replica: The Maryhill Stonehenge War Memorial.  We got some great shots of Mat in the eerie gray light in between rain storms.

Mat and Stonehenge War Memorial Maryhill, WA

The gravel parking lot prevented us from wheeling him any closer, but we were satisfied with the result -especially when two very hip Portland girls came over and inquired about Mat and what we were doing.  We failed to get their names but we hope they'll log on to this blog and leave a comment. Please do so, ladies! The best part was that they said they had seen an Art*o*mat® before (probably in Oregon). Art*o*mat® is everywhere! It's fun to run into fans.  We hope to find many more along the way.

It's Stonehenge. It's Art*o*mat®.  It's Art*o*henge!  Maryhill, WA

It's a very cool contemplative place -great for a picnic or just some quiet time for reflection.

Inside Stonehenge with windmills in the background.  Maryhill, WA

View of the Columbia River from Stonehenge. Maryhill, WA

Stonehenge War Memorial w/name placard in the concrete.