Columbia River Gorge - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 534

East of The Dalles the sights get fewer, but there are a few worthy places to check out.
Sights
Stonehenge MONUMENT
Not one for small gestures, Sam Hill (see boxed text, Click here ) built a full-scale replica
of Salisbury Plain's Stonehenge on the cliffs above the Columbia River, about a mile east
of The Dalles bridge in Washington. Dedicated as a peace memorial to Klickitat
County's soldiers killed in WWI, his Stonehenge was built of poured concrete and rep-
resents an intact site (unlike its tumbled-down English cousin).
Hill planned that his Stonehenge would line up for celestial events such as equinoxes.
It's a popular place for odd rites and ceremonies, and offers great views of the gorge.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area PARK
( 541-739-2322, 800-551-6949; www.oregonstateparks.org ; tent/RV sites $9/20) The Des-
chutes River, Oregon's second largest, cuts through Central Oregon and meets the
Columbia at this fine state park, 15 miles east of The Dalles. There are expansive green
lawns and beautiful riverside campsites here; reserve in summer.
From the south end of the park, riverside hiking trails pass old homesteads, springs
and groves of willow and locust trees. Keep an eye out for raptors and migrating song-
birds.
There is also a mountain-biking trail (originally a rail bed) that runs about 17 miles
upriver from here.
Activities
Maryhill Winery WINE TASTING
( 877-627-9445; www.maryhillwinery.com ; 9774 Hwy 14, Goldendale, WA; 10am-6pm) Boast-
ing expansive gorge views from a high bluff is this beautiful winery. Grab your glass of
grape-derived ambrosia and peer over the stone terrace down to the scenic vineyards and
Columbia River. The 4000-seat amphitheater below offers big-name music concerts in
the summer. The winery is 1 mile west of the Maryhill Museum of Art.