In a tent

We took our first camping trip of the summer last weekend. It was a quick trip to Columbia Hills State Park near The Dalles, less than an hour and a half from home, but Alex and I were keen on seeing the petroglyphs there. We even signed up for a guided hike! But first we hit the lake for some fun. Well, they did. I hovered around the shoreline.

Splash!

 

Run! He's right behind you! Run!

Watching a colorful freight train in the distance.

The park was pretty open and grassy, but it held a few surprises:

On our hike we learned about petroglyphs (carved in stone) and pictographs (painted images) found in the Columbia River valley. Many were removed and relocated before the Bonneville Dam raised the water level dramatically in the '50s. Others, higher on the cliff walls, remain today. How old are they? Well, our guide was vague..500ish years old.

Our guide Dylan

 

Our motley crew of explorers wove through the valley, complete with parasols.



Here is what we came to see: Tsagaglalal, also known as "She Who Watches". Uncommon in that it is both a petroglyph and a pictograph, She Who Watches is thought to represent the death and disease brought by early white people. Dylan told the Native American tale of the female tribal leader who promised to watch over her people forever. She was warned that the coming white people would never accept a female leader, and after a ferocious multi-day battle with a tricksy coyote, was smashed onto the cliff wall and defeated. There she remains today watching over her people. (It was much better the way Dylan told it).

I think we tired out poor Ole. He hitched a ride on the way out.



Then it was back to camp for a little rest and relaxation.