Things to Do in Washougal

With the Columbia and Willamette Rivers in its backyard and Mount Hood rising from behind a sweeping skyline, Portland boasts stunning views. Determined to give their customers front-row perches to these vistas is Portland Spirit, which launches a cache of cruises that put the city's sights in the forefront. The Landmarks of the Gorge Cruise ushers participants past historic attractions such as the steely mists of Multnomah Falls and the tree-dotted monolith of Beacon Rock, and the Portland Bridges Cruise introduces onlookers to the city's 10 suspended structures named after Jeff and Beau Bridges. With a quintet of vessels and myriad private events for guests, Portland Spirit Cruises also customize jaunts for any occasion.

North Clackamas Aquatic Park's 400,000 gallons of 86-degree H2O stream down two twisty tube slides and splash swimmers in three swimming pools housed within this waterlogged indoor playground. During Big Surf! recreational hours, divers plunge into 13-foot-deep water as swimmers on rental tubes crest the wave pool's 4-foot surf, whereas competitive swimmers hone skills in the 25-yard, six-lane lap pool. A drop slide sends adventurous aquanauts plunging, as climbers head the other direction on a 29-foot rock wall with three routes for scalers of all skill levels. As adults unwind in the hot tub, pint-size splashers flit about interactive fountains, coast down the Sammie the Seal slide into a kiddie pool, or organize their fellow tots into a filibuster until chaperones acquiesce to snack demands at the Waves Cafe. Swimming lessons, complimentary life jackets, and inflatable submarines are also available to help guests swim safely.

For nearly a quarter-century, the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show has showcased the wares and talents of hundreds of local nurseries, landscapers, and contractors. Widely acknowledged as the best time to plant and prepare for spring blooms, the fall season is ideal for consulting with professionals on upcoming projects and putting seeds and bulbs to ground. Attendees can glean inspiration from 11 onsite garden displays before shopping the extensive selection of trees, azaleas, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs, as well as garden gnomes that don’t steal your socks while you sleep.

Trails End Golf Center encompasses 45 hitting stalls and two grass tee areas from which golfers can blast golf balls across its 20-acre expanse, earning it a spot among Golf Range Magazine's top 100 ranges in 2011. Each hitting stall is fully covered and heated so that practice can continue in any weather, especially when it's hailing free golf balls. When game improvement hits a roadblock, golfers can enlist the help of manager and head pro Jason Kelp, who lends his expertise to help players of all skill levels—including beginners and children—better enjoy the game through lower scores and more frequent opportunities to domesticate wild golf carts.

When chemist Gary Gougér first started making wine, he was an amateur who was simply translating his love of vino into a pleasurable hobby. Soon, his passion took over, and he began racking up numerous International Gold awards for his red blends. His science background, coupled with training at one of the world’s finest winemaking schools in Australia, helped Gougér take his wines to the next level. Now the proprietor of his own Cascadian winery, he crafts blended creations, along with single-varietal bottles, that take center stage at tasting-room events ranging from holiday events to varietal samplers.