Historic Columbia River Highway Tour

[ArthurB]

Hope this is the proper place to post this: You're all invited to drive your Model T's (or other pre-1949 vehicles) on the Historic Columbia River Highway this July 13th. It's a chance drive on this beautiful section of highway built in 1920-22 and largely unchanged. Much of it is closed to motor vehicles except for occasional special events like this. You also get to tour WAAAM, which is worth the trip by itself. I happen to live in Hood River, so I am working hard to get my T ready for it's first tour. The list of tasks is pretty long, but it's good to have a deadline. Hopefully you won't see me standing by the side of the road with my thumb out looking for a ride.

Here's the official invitation:

Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway announce the tenth annual Antique Auto Tour, to be held July 13, 2019 from Hood River to Rowena Crest in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which was created in 1986 by Congress’ passage of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Act. The Act creating the Scenic Area included funding for the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and was used to open and restore the Mosier Twin Tunnels, primarily for pedestrian and bicycle use. This is a rare opportunity for antique vehicles and their occupants to “live in the past”!

The tour begins and ends at the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum (WAAAM), 1600 Air Museum Road, Hood River, OR 97031. It will proceed through Hood River to the Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead just east of the city, then drive along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, through the Mosier Twin Tunnels, through Mosier to Rowena Crest and return to WAAAM.

The purpose for this tour is to allow people that cannot walk to the Mosier Twin Tunnels an opportunity to experience them, so owners of vehicles willing to take passengers are encouraged to register. Vehicles c. 1949 and earlier may participate. A maximum of 80 vehicles can participate. Be the first to register!

Antique vehicle owners can register by sending a completed registration form to: Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway, P.O. Box 50, Bridal Veil, OR 97010 or email to FHCRH@comcast.net. Registration closes June 10. Potential passengers should also contact the Friends.

The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway support the restoration and reconnection of the historic highway through the Columbia River Gorge. Our Vision is to restore and preserve the existing drivable portions of the historic highway to their 1920s appearance and link drivable portions with pedestrian and bicycle accessible connections, creating a continuous route through the Columbia River Gorge.

[Original Smith]

I envy you guys. I'd love to do that tour with you, but it isn't hardly worth the drive from Southern California. Beautiful area!

[Erik Barrett]

We did this tour with the Buick club prewar group years ago. A wonderful ride, lots of great things to see. Not to be missed if you can make it.