Mount Hood

It had rained all night at our campground and so when we set off to continue our drive around Mount Hood this morning we were wondering if the highest mountain in Oregon had seen some snow.

A short detour up towards Timberline Lodge and we didn't have to guess...  Snow Snow Snow!!!

Timberline is a year-round ski lodge/resort but the snow wasn't just on the upper slopes where the chairlifts continue to go in summer time, it was everywhere!!

With views of Mount Hood appearing and disappearing every few seconds behind fast-moving cloud, we made the most of the fresh powder, having some serious snowball fights, and checked out a few skiers and snowboarders carving it up.

(Indy and Dash are yet to try skiing/snowboarding so we enjoyed whetting their appetite for when the chance arises and are happy to report they're super keen).

Continuing anti-clockwise around the mountain we joined the 35 and after passing through a heavily forested zone with numerous ski resorts (not all-season) left and right of the road, we reached lower elevations.

Here we found some of the most beautiful territory we've seen so far - a valley filled with idyllic orchards set against the backdrop of snow-capped Mount Hood.

We stopped at a panoramic overlook for lunch before continuing to Hood River, a gorgeous hamlet on the Columbia River.

We drove a small stretch beside this mammoth river to Cascade Locks where we have found a campsite and settled in for the night.