The Cascades - Washington State - page 318

central 24 1 ⁄ 2 -inch reflector is one of the largest public telescopes in the country—
large enough for scientific research—but instead, it's dedicated to sharing the
stars with the general public. The observatory is out in this remote part of the
state because this region's dry weather and distance from city lights almost guar-
antees that every night will be a good night for stargazing.
1602 Observatory Dr., Goldendale. & 509/773-3141. Admission by donation; parking $5. Apr-Sept
Wed-Sun 2-5pm and 8pm-midnight; Oct-Mar open by appointment Sat 1-5pm and 7-9pm, Sun 1-5pm.
Horsethief Lake State Park Located between The Dalles Dam and
Wishram on Wash. 14, Horsethief Lake is a popular fishing area and campground.
However, long before the area was designated a state park, this was a gathering
ground for Native Americans, who fished for salmon at nearby Celilo Falls. The
park isn't far from the famous Celilo Falls, which were, before being inundated by
the waters behind The Dalles Dam, the most prolific salmon-fishing spot in the
Northwest. Each year for thousands of years Native Americans would gather here
from all over the Northwest. These Native Americans drew petroglyphs on rocks
that are now protected within this park. The most famous of these is Tsagaglalal
(“she who watches”), a large face that gazes down on the Columbia River. Due to
past vandalism, the only way to see this and other park petroglyphs is on ranger-
led walks held on Friday and Saturday mornings at 10am. Reservations for these
walks should be made at least 2 to 3 weeks in advance.
Wash. 14. & 509/767-1159. Free admission. Apr-Oct daily 6:30am-dusk. Closed Nov-Mar.
Maryhill Museum of Art/Stonehenge Monument Between
1914 and 1926, atop a remote windswept bluff overlooking the Columbia
River, eccentric entrepreneur Sam Hill built a grand mansion he called Mary-
hill. Though he never lived in the mansion, he did turn it into a museum that
today is one of the finest, most eclectic, and least visited of the state's major
museums. There is an acclaimed collection of sculptures and drawings by
Auguste Rodin. An extensive collection of Native American artifacts includes
the finest display of baskets in the state. Furniture, jewelry, and other items that
once belonged to Hill's friend Queen Marie of Romania, are also on display, as
are a collection of miniature French fashion mannequins from just after World
War II. Note that the Rodins and fashion mannequins are sometimes loaned out
to other museums. The lush grounds surrounding the museum have sculptures,
picnic tables, and plenty of shade trees, making this an ideal spot for a picnic
lunch (there's also a cafe inside the museum). A few miles east of Maryhill stands
Hill's concrete reproduction of Stonehenge, which he had built as a memorial to
local men who died in World War I.
35 Maryhill Museum Dr. (Wash. 14). & 509/773-3733. www.maryhillmuseum.org. Admission $7 adults, $6
seniors, $2 children 6-12. Mar 15-Nov 15 daily 9am-5pm. Closed Nov 16-Mar 14.
SPORTS & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
The Columbia Gorge is one of the nation's top windsurfing spots, and if you're
here to ride the wind, or just want to watch others as they race back and forth
across the river, head to the fish hatchery, west of the mouth of the White
Salmon River, or Swell City, a park about 3 miles west of the Hood River
Bridge. Bob's Beach, in downtown Stevenson, is another popular spot.
When there isn't enough wind for sailing, there's still the option to go rafting on
the White Salmon River. Companies offering raft trips on this river include Zoller's
Outdoor Odysseys ( & 800/366-2004 or 509/493-2641; www.zooraft.com), We t

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