Martin's Gorge Tours

01/09/2025

Beautifully said Kara!

It was a true honor and privilege for us to serve as tour guides for President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn, the Carter’s family, & The Carter Center members during their stay at Skamania Lodge. We appreciate the business referral and the opportunities that it provided for us.
- Martin Hecht and Christine 💙

At Skamania Lodge, we’ve been privileged to welcome remarkable guests who leave an indelible mark on the world. Today, we pause to honor President Jimmy Carter, whose enduring commitment to service and humanity continues to inspire us all.

In 2018, we had the distinct honor of hosting the Carter family and the Carter Foundation here at Skamania Lodge. Their presence reminded us of the profound impact that dedication to community and global good can have.

President Carter's legacy of leadership, his tireless advocacy for human rights, and his unwavering belief in the power of compassion resonate deeply with our values. It was a privilege to provide a serene setting for such a remarkable family and their meaningful work.

As we reflect on this special moment in our history, we remain committed to fostering spaces where connections, purpose, and impact flourish. Thank you, President Carter, for inspiring generations to lead with integrity and heart. 💙

01/09/2025

FYI….

Effective January 7, 2025 through February 28, 2025, Vista House will be closed for the winter season.

Crown Point State Park will be open daily to enjoy the view outside the building. Oregon State Park Rangers will continue their work within the park.

As always, be prepared for your adventures in the Columbia River Gorge. Check weather and travel conditions before you go. Be cautious and check our weather station. https://www.weather.gov/wrh/timeseries?site=D6193

Image description - peering around the corner of Vista House towards a ramp that leads down to parking spots encircled by a stone wall, the river below is full of whitecaps pushed by strong winds

12/31/2024

Martin’s Gorge Tours sends our friends, family, guests and industry partners, many blessings, peace and good health for 2025. 🙏
We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
Cheers🥂❤️🍷🙏🫶🥂❤️🍷🙏🫶🥂

12/30/2024

Devastating….Please help our Skamania County Search and Resue. They need us, to help them, to help you. 🙏

URGENT: Help Us Rebuild After Devastating Theft Two nights a… Donna Wells needs your support for Help Our Search And Rescue Team After Devastating Theft

12/14/2024

Jasper and his friends are waiting for you to visit!❤️🦙🦙

11/28/2024

From our family to yours, we wish you a blessed and grateful Thanksgiving! 🙏🦃

11/25/2024

Columbia River Gorge in Oregon (🇺🇸

11/25/2024

11/21/2024

In 1902, a remarkable photograph captured men posing atop a massive log raft along the Columbia River in Oregon. The raft was constructed from large, tree-length logs, all meticulously lashed together using enormous chains to create a floating platform. This incredible feat of engineering was typical of the lumber industry at the time, where logs were often transported down rivers for processing. The image showcases the scale and strength required to build such a raft, a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the era.

According to the description on the back of the photo, the raft contained millions of feet of timber—an enormous amount of wood that represented a full year's worth of labor for the camp workers. The value of the raft, once completed, was estimated at $8,000, highlighting the profitability of the logging industry during this period. The Columbia River, with its swift currents and strategic location, served as a major route for transporting timber, and these massive log rafts were an essential part of the process.

This photograph, preserved by the Multnomah County Library, offers a fascinating glimpse into the early 20th-century logging practices in Oregon. It’s a vivid reminder of the human labor and resourcefulness that drove the lumber industry, and the scale of the operations that transformed the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The raft, both a product of necessity and a symbol of the era, represents a bygone time when logs were floated across rivers to fuel the growth of America’s industries.

11/15/2024

Celebrate the Holidays at Cedar Creek Alpacas.