On a recent trip I made one of those goofy mistakes that sometimes happens when we travel. 

I added a day in Portland just to visit the Japanese Garden there at the end of a family trip to the Oregon coast. . 

I love Japanese gardens and had heard the one in Portland was worth the extra day.  So, I booked a hotel near the facility and planned to enjoy it and see if it compares with the wonderful one we have in Grand Rapids. 

Imagine my shock and surprise when after arriving in Portland, I checked the website to see what time the Japanese Garden  opened and discovered. 

Closed. 

Yep. Closed on Tuesdays. 

And yep, my day at the Portland Japanese Garden was planned for Tuesday. 

Screech.

Shock. 

Oh Shoot.  

How did that happen? 

I didn’t check. I’m used to museums being closed, typically on Mondays, but not a Garden.  I assumed it would be open. 

This oversight required pretty serious change in plans. 

Fortunately we had a lovely alternative.  

Bright and early, we headed to the Columbia River Gorge. 

I had heard about this part of Oregon, even looked at a National Geographic cruise on this river, but hadn’t really thought about it for this trip.  And I didn’t realized how big an area it covered with so much to do. 

What did I find? 

 Waterfalls.  Lots of them. Many had nice hiking trails and opportunities for communing with nature. 

 A lovely spot for lunch with a great view. 

 A totally surprising vintage car and airplane museum that was worth the trip on it’s own.  It’s truly a destination for folks with a passion for old cars and airplanes. 

 And then wonderfully, we discovered  a winery with a lovely view. 

I still want to visit the Portland Japanese Gardens, but the alternative was stunning. 

The link for the Western Antique Air and Auto Museum.