We started our adventure to the View Point Inn from downtown Portland armed with our cameras and complimentary hotel map, where we then swore, for the second time together, that we would never again use 411-info for directions. After much driving we found our way to the park used for several scenes in the film. All the footage above comes from the same state park, which is huge by the way. You could call it one stop scene shopping.
The first thing you notice about the landscape of Portland is that it is vivid green. Everyone tends to say that but it is true. The natural beauty of the area is so hard to explain — saying that everything is green is an understatement. The snow topped mountains create a stunning contrast to the lush surrounding forest. This feature magnifies itself ten fold once you venture out of the city and into the scenic parks that surround it. The roads that lead into the park are small and winding, so pack your Dramamine if you are prone to motion sickness. All the twisting and turning is well worth it when you finally crest the hill and land at Vista House which over looks the Columbia Gorge. The view brings new meaning to the phrase breathtaking. Though the wind was fierce it did not stop our curiosity. We strolled around the charming circular building admiring the grandeur of the sight. Ambereyes would like to mention that if you are a contact wearer, be sure to bring your glasses instead, or a good bottle of eye drops. The wind dries out eyes very quickly, and you want to be sure you can see for the rest of your trip because this precipice is not all this magnificent park has to offer.
Once back in the car, we wound down the other side of the park (away from the View Point Inn) in search of the falls mentioned on all the signs leading into the park. The roads wound and curved as we descend further into the gorge. In some areas there is only enough room for one car on the road, and there are no guardrails so driving can be a bit scary. Navigating this area was no easy feat for our driver, BeMyEscape. She maneuvered our large SUV through effortlessly, all while avoiding the on coming vehicles who loved her side of the road more then their own. Everything is covered in moss in the surrounding forest including the small one lane bridges, fully defining Bella’s words "Everything that’s supposed to be brown…is all covered up with squishy green stuff here…" Along the drive to Multnomah Falls are smaller, but no less beautiful falls, each bursting from the shaded green landscape making you feel as though you were in a fairy tale rather than Portland, Oregon.
The spectacle that is Multnomah Falls was entirely worth the long drive down. Be careful of cross traffic as you leave the parking lot though! They tend not to like it when you stop to video tape the falls in the middle of the road — Who knew? This waterfall actually is a double fall, with the first dropping from the top of the mountain into a pool and then the second dropping from the pool to the base of the falls. The sound of the water grows in intensity as you make your way up the steps to the base of the falls. It is truly an impressive display of the power of nature. Alphie was the only one who braved the wet slope of the trail to hike up the path to the bridge. It’s not that far, so if you have the chance to visit, make your way up the winding path to the bridge that overlooks the pool at the base of the higher falls.
We then made our way back up the gorge to where the View Point Inn is located. It’s aptly named for the view from its rooms; it would certainly be something spectacular to wake up to. It was late at night so the inn was closed. Alphie’s camera died just as we made it to the location so we were unable to capture a view of the actual entrance used for the prom. But the set decoration for the entrance was still in place around the corner from where we caught footage. And we believe that the final scene between Bella and Edward from the book is replicated at the small fountain found in the center of the property which can be seen briefly in the fading light of the footage we captured.
It was an amazing start to our visit, and we hope you enjoyed seeing the park through our eyes. Next stop…Indian Beach and some one-on-one with the cast.
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