Columbia Gorge Real Estate Blog

There are many small towns located in beautiful Klickitat County Washington. Here are some of the towns you might be interested in moving to: Bingen, Lyle, Husum, White Salmon, BZ Corners, Trout Lake, Snowden, Murdock, Wishram, and Dallesport. Bingen is located directly across from Hood River via the Hood River Bridge. This bridge is a toll bridge which costs .75 each time you cross. There is a park and ride station to the west once you are in Washington which is convenient for commuters, etc. There are currently 8  homes for sale in Bingen  starting at $219,000.  Lyle is located about 8 miles east of Bingen on Hwy 14. Lyle has a post office, grocery store, diner, schools, the Old Lyle Hotel, and a few more shops. The roads out of Lyle lead up to High Prairie and Centerville and have some beautiful rugged views and scenery. There are currently 15  homes for sale in Lyle starting at $129,000. White Salmon is located up the hill from Bingen and is a popular town. There is a quaint downtown with many artists shops: pottery, photography, blown glass, luthier, boatbuilding, and more. White Salmon also has a modern post office, Public Library, elementary, middle and high schools, gas station and grocery store. Currently there are 80 homes for sale in White Salmon starting at $159,900. Many people love White Salmon with it's close proximity to Hood River yet smaller town feel. Here are some photos of local Klickitat County scenery I've taken over the years.

The view of Northwestern Lake                             Bingen City Hall

Gorge Heritage Museum in Bingen    White Salmon City Hall

High Prairie in Klickitat County                               Lyle Washington

There are many good restaurants to choose from in Hood River. Here are Hood River Restaurants, some new and some well known around HR for years. I've listed them in no particular order and I'm sure there are quite a few more I haven't remembered.  I love Sixth St. Bistro. The Hood River Taqueria has nice outdoor eating. The Good News Gardening Cafe has great soups and salads for lunch, usually 2 different soups to choose from each day. 

Sophies Restaurant

Nora's Table (formerly Nora's Fish House)

North Oak Brasserie

3 Rivers Grill

Cebu Lounge- at the Hood River Inn

Stonehedge Gardens

Brians Pourhouse

Celilo Restaurant and Bar- 16 Oak Avenue

Crazy Pepper Cantina

Sixth St. Bistro & Loft

Big Horse Brew Pub - 115 State St.

China Gorge

Good News Gardening Cafe

Dixie's Southern Grub

Hood River Taqueria  1210 13th St.

Sawtooth Roadhouse     This used to be Santecroce's and is located on Hwy 35 on the way up to the Mountain

Stevenson, Washington is located across from Cascade Locks, Oregon in Skamania County. There are currently 13 homes listed in Stevenson from $120,000 to $350,000. Stevenson has become a popular small town with many nice restaurants and things to do. Visit the Skamania Lodge, Interpretive Center Museum, Walking Man Brewery, The Crab Shack, Joe's El Rio, Big River Grill or drive down to North Bonneville Hot Springs Resort. Stop by the waterfront beach or Bob's Beach to watch the kite boarders and windsurfers. Stevenson has a nice public library and even an indoor public swimming pool. The tall ships Hawaiian Chieftan and Lady Washington from Grays Harbor Washington were in Stevenson last Friday giving tours and rides on the ships.

Kiteboarders sailing with a passing barge

Hawaiian Chieftan and Lady Washington make stops in Stevenson

Mosier, Oregon is a small town, population 430, located approximately 6 miles east of Hood River in Wasco County. Mosier is home to the popular Good River Restaurant and their newest addition the Thirsty Woman Pub.  Take a break and visit the local ice cream shop in Mosier, Route 30. You can view classic and vintage porsches while you have your ice cream. Many people love the Mosier Community School, a charter school for grades K-6. The Twin Tunnel Trailhead is located in Mosier and also in Hood River.  If you would like to buy a home in Mosier there are currently 17 homes listed on the market starting at $217,000.   Mosier is located on the dry side of the gorge. You will see views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and the Columbia River from many locations. The vegetation is scrub oaks, pine trees and grasses. Call if you would like to find a home in Mosier to call your own.

Cascade Locks is a small town located in Hood River County. It is the home of the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. The Bridge of the gods connects Cascade Locks to the Washington side where the small towns of Stevenson, North Bonneville, and Carson are located in Skamania County. If you are interested in purchasing a home in Cascade Locks there are currently 15 homes listed for sale.  The annual festival Sternwheeler Days will be held in Cascade Locks on June 26-28, 2009. There are always many activities planned on this busy weekend. A parade, arts and crafts booths, music, sternwheeler rides will be some of the things to enjoy in Historic Cascade Locks.

There are always plenty of things happening in the gorge. Here are some June 2009 events. 

June 3-7, 2009 - Mt Hood Cycling Classic 2009

June 5-28, 2009 - Art in the Garden at Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River

June 10, 2009 - Tall ships in Hood River  Dockside tours: 6/10, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Battle Sails-6 pm

June 11-13, 2009 - Tall ships in Stevenson   The tall ships "Lady Washington" and "Hawaiian Chieftain" will be docked at the Stevenson Landing Thursday, June 11 through Saturday, June 13. 2009. If you want to see the famous ship that appeared in "Pirates of the Caribbean" up close,  a dock side tour will be offered on Friday from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  

June 13, 2009 - Central Gorge Garden Tour  This garden tour includes seven gardens in Hood River and White Salmon. The time is June 13, 2009 from 10:00 am-4:00 pm Tickets are $7 and available at Waucoma Bookstore, Good News Gardening, Columbia Gorge Arts Center and Trellis Fresh Flowers

June 13-14, 2009 - 13 + Miles of Yard Sales 8 am-5 pm This event stretches over 142 miles in Washington state.

June 21, 2009 - Maryhill Winery Father's Day 

June 20, 2009 - Family Fun Day at Maryhill Museum  starts at 10:30 am - basketmaking, Shakespeare performance and more

June 20-21, 2009 - 75th Glenwood Annual Ketchum  Located in scenic Glenwood Washington

June 26-27, 2009 - Goldendale Energy Exposition This region is host to hydro and wind power projects. This event focused on resposible energy options for WA/OR central Columbia River area. Call 509-773-3400 for info

June 26-28, 2009 - Sternwheeler Days in Cascade Locks  Sternwheeler days is an annual celebration in Cascade Locks welcoming the summer return of the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler. There will be arts and crafts booths, food, music, and Sternwheeler rides. Thunder Island will be home to the Mountain Men who will give demonstrations on powder shoots, flint making,  open fire cooking and more.  A parade through downtown Cascade Locks will be Saturday morning at 11:00 am

June 27, 2009 - 16th Annual Brews, Blues & Barbecues Located at Waterfront Park in Stevenson, WA

Guess what county in the United States leads in the production of pears? If you guessed Hood River County you are correct. Many varieties of pears are grown here in Hood River County. The Hood River Fruit Loop is a fun drive to visit farms in the area. Here are some local pear related links to visit: Packer Orchards and Bakery     Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers   

                              Pear trees blossoming in the spring in Hood River County

Parkdale, an unincorporated town in Hood River County was founded in 1910. Parkdale is located about 18 miles South of Hood River via Hwy 35. There are some beautiful places to stay while visiting Parkdale.  The Old Parkdale Inn Bed and Breakfast and the Mt. Hood Hamlet Bed & Breakfast are both  located in Parkdale. You can take a ride on the scenic Mt Hood Railroad either to Odell or Parkdale. When you visit Parkdale you may want to stop at the Elliott Glacier Public House for a meal. Taco nights on Mondays and Tuesdays are always popular. The Hutson Museum is located on a 2-acre complex which is designated as a National Historic Site. In 1993 the Hutson Museum was built to match the style of the Neighboring Ries-Thompson House, the oldest remaining residence in Parkdale, built in 1900. As Parkdale is a small town there are usually never a large number of homes for sale at any given time. Currently there are 13 homes priced from $179,900 to $495,000 in Parkdale. As far as unimproved property, there are currently 17 parcels for sale starting at $120,000-$250,000 in the Parkdale area.