Americas Hub World Tours

As a business that may be affected by traffic restrictions on the Historic Columbia River Highway and to Vista House at Crown Point in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, you are being provided early notice of planned construction activities and traffic restrictions to help you plan accordingly.  We are distributing this notice on behalf of the Federal Highway Division, Western Federal Lands Highway Division.

Beginning in Summer 2012, Federal Highway Administration will undertake repair of the Crown Point Viaduct and restoration of pavement and rock features along the Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) between Larch Mountain Road and Latourell Falls.  The schedule for construction and types of traffic control are detailed below.

When will construction occur? Construction will occur in two phases, with the first phase running from August 2012 through December 2012.  The second phase will begin on or about April 1, 2013 and be completed by July 2013.

What types of traffic control will be needed? Given the unique nature of this construction, partial and full road closures will be necessary. Travel delays can be expected throughout the two construction periods.  Planned traffic controls include:

• August 2012 – The Historic Columbia River Highway (HCRH) will be open to all traffic; travel delays of up to 20 minutes can be expected with periodic lane closures.  No lane closures will occur between Friday at noon until Sunday at midnight.  Vista House will be open.
• September 4, 2012 – September 30, 2012 – The HCRH between Larch Mountain Road and Crown Point will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet.  The HCRH between Crown Point and Latourell Falls will be closed to all vehicles, including bicycles.  Access for local residents will be permitted beyond the Latourall Falls closure point.  Vista House will be open.
• October 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 – There will be no access to Crown Point/Vista House, as the HCRH will be closed to all vehicles at both Larch Mountain Road and at Latourell Falls.  The portion of the HCRH between Bridal Veil Falls and Latourell Falls will be closed to vehicles longer than 25 feet.   Vista House will be closed.
• January 1, 2013 — April 1, 2013 – The HCRH will be open to all traffic.

·         April 1, 2013 – May 23, 2013 — The HCRH will be periodically closed to all public traffic (including bicycles).  Access for local residents will be permitted beyond the Latourell Falls closure point.   Specific traffic control measures will be developed following the 2012 construction season.

 Glacial Lake Missoula Flood and its Effects in Your Backyard, a Lecture by Rick Thompson. Anyone  interested in learning more about local geology can go, and it’s free. Click here
 Stumptown Stories:

December 27, 2011 | 7:30pm | FREE
Jack London Bar
529 SW 4th Avenue Portland, OR
More info: http://rialtopoolroom.com/
The great ice age Lake Missoula Flood left scars literally from Montana to the Pacific Ocean. Join us as artist, photographer, and writer Rick Thomposon presents his research uncovering the effects of the Lake Missoula Flood in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington. This catastrophic flodd propelled over 500 cubic miles of water, ice, rock and mud across eastern Washington, further cut the Columbia River Gorge, covered the Willamette Valley with up to 400 feet of water and left gravel bars mile wide and hundreds of feet high. With color photo, topographical maps and space photos Mr. Thompson will show some of the signs still visible today.

Mr. Thompson:
A native Oregonian, Mr. Thompson is President of the Lower Columbia Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute who loves to share the beatury of the great Northwest. Though geology is not his profession, it is his passion. Being intrigued by the land formations, huge boulders and glacial erratics, Mr. Thompson embarked on a ten-year study to show that unlike the massive expanses of flood features in Easter Washington this area has its own treasure chest of scablands, flood channels and dramatic story to tell.

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls & Oregon Wine Tasting Getaway Special Offer

dates: Wednesday & Saturday or Customized for groups

Duration:  9:00am until 6:00pm

pricing: $108 per person (wine tasting fee included)
Traveling along, looking to meet visitors from around the world. Contact us at 1-800-637-3110 … to book your tour.**

Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Highlights: Explore the Columbia River Gorge and stand above the second highest year-round waterfall in the United States! Come and enjoy spectacular views of many waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway.

The Columbia River Plateau was created by a series of basalt flows.  The flows covered 164,000 square kilometers — portions of northeast Oregon, southwest Washington and western Idaho.

The Columbia River Gorge is a canyon of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Up to 4,000 feet (1,300Port m)C deep, the canyon stretches for over 80 miles (130 km) as the river winds from westward through the Cascade Range forming the boundary between the State of Washington to the north and Oregon to the south. The Columbia Gorge American Viticultural Area is located in both states. The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.

In addition to its natural beauty, the gorge also provides a critical transportation corridor and one of the most popular recreational locations in the Pacific Northwest. Atmospheric pressure differentials east and west of the Cascades create a wind tunnel effect in the deep cut of the gorge, generating 35 mph (56 km/h) winds that make it one of the finest and best-known windsurfing and kiteboarding locations in the world. The hatchery, located on the Washington side of the river near Hood River is one of the most popular places to windsurf.

The gorge also contains the greatest concentration of waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, with over 77 waterfalls on the Oregon side of the gorge alone. Many are along the Columbia River Highway, including the notable Multnomah Falls, which, at 620 feet (188 m), is often claimed to be the second tallest year-round waterfall in the United States.  Learn more

Just off the press!

My friend Heidi took  this amazing trip to Africa. She extended an  invite , but  due to work commitments, I was unable to go.  After reading her blog and listening to all her stories. The decission was made to plan a trip  over Sept. 2010. Check  out her blog : Heidi

www.hubworldtravel.com

1-800-637-3110

Oregon Tours

News from Leslie’s Corner!

“The View Point Inn is just 22 miles from downtown Portland, Oregon, near Crown Point, nestled high on a one acre bluff, with a panoramic view of the entire Columbia River Gorge, the city lights of Portland, and Vancouver.

This 1924 world class boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. The Inn has celebrated Presidents, Hollywood Motion Picture Stars and European Royalty and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Available for banquets, private parties, weddings and special events.

Plan your birthday, anniversary or any other special celebration now at The View Point Inn. Purchase a $100 Gift Certificate and receive Lunch for Two* as a thank you. Purchase a $200 Gift Certificate and receive Dinner for Two* as a thank you.”

Attached is the latest friends and family promotion.  This offer is for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival for this weekend ONLY and is at great price (40% off).  The weather forecast for this weekend is looking very good so we’re hoping many people will take advantage of this offer for firm space on the Tulips Tour.  Please help spread the word by sending this off to friend and family members and appropriate business associates.  

http://www.clippervacations.com/