Oregon days and a boat trip

No,this isn't a "Contra Rebel" armed to the teeth for Guerrilla warfare in Guatemala. No, It's me blowing the leaves off the bike trail at the park! Oregon State parks wants to keep their volunteers safe. Lets see...I have a hard hat on which restricts my vision, ear muffs so I can't hear a bike coming at me at 25MPH,and a dust mask that makes me breath harder and hyperventilate! Hey, safety first! Now you know I'm just kidding,right?Actually, the park takes very good care of us.

Jeni and I share all the duties they give us. I drive the riding mower because it is a highly technical piece of equipment.It gets real tiring driving this rig for 2 long,long hours I know,I know, Jeni is a lucky lady having a guy like me giving her the easy job. But, It's who I am. A nice guy,Right Jen?

"Whada ya mean your not running this mower on the hills,it's easy"."Don't make me get off this riding mower"."where are you gonna put that push mower"?!..Ok,I'll trade with you . Hey,I know when to bow to the Queen! We do share the duties and that is what keeps both of us young at heart.

An added bonus for Jeni and I up here on the Columbia Gorge, our good friends Stan and Diane are parked at their daughter Jenny's house just across the river in Trout Lake,Wash. We have been visiting back and forth this spring,going to dinner ,playing cards,and enjoying their lil grandson Mikey.What a great little guy he is. Jeni would be over there every day playing with him if they would let her.We were invited to his first birthday party and what a great time that little guy had.Diane's daughter Jenny is a great Mother.That little guy is always happy and energetic.We all went to dinner in Hood River the other night,and Mikey was the best lil guy.He's a keeper!

Jeni and I had booked a cruise on the "Columbia Sternwheeler"awhile back but they canceled us out because of the weather.We were getting ready to book again when the Park Ranger here,Andrew came by to tell us we could go for free on Thursday as it was volunteer day. Cool! The "Sternwheeler" is a riverboat that plys the Columbia River. Jeni took a picture of me and the other host at our park,Bob prior to boarding.



I goofed up while posting so you get two pictures of me and Bob! What a deal.

And off we go headed east up river. The "Sternwheeler" is ported in Cascade locks which is about 15 miles west of the park.There is a cafe there were Jeni and I go for lunch and sit by the river.(see earlier blog)






As we are heading east, we look back at the "Bridge of the Gods"in Cascade Locks.It takes you over to Stevenson Washington.The main river is to the right out of the picture,what your seeing is the actual Locks that got boats and barges around some very nasty rapids before they built Bonneville Dam. The locks are no longer used as Bonneville has locks and with the dam built,it raised the water level and the rapids flooded.

This is Capt. Tom. he is the skipper and he loves his work. He told me that there is a deep channel in the river that they follow as it winds from side to side.They have to navigate this deep channel(some120ft. deep) because there are Doug fir trees growing in the shallower portions of the river.You don't want to hit one of those babies! Well, the conversation came to an abrupt end and I was escorted out after I tried to give Capt Tom some pointers on driving this baby! Hey, I drove a houseboat one time! OK,OK i;m leaving! "So I'm a control Freak"! so Jeni says.


These are Indians pulling in their nets full of Salmon,Sturgeon,and Steelhead on the river.If I tried fishing this way,They would arrest me and fine me,but, the Indian Nations on the Columbia,and other rivers in Oregon have "Grandfathered Rights" to fish with nets.And that is OK by me They were here first!








Jen and I are enjoying our cruise.We would like to thank Oregon State Parks for setting this up for us Volunteers.
















There were a lot of Volunteers on board but there was plenty of room to roam and Jeni saw every inch of the boat.

As I have said in earlier blogs, Sailing, Wind and Kite surfing are popular on the Columbia.

Its been a great day riding the river. We really enjoyed it. We love Oregon.Its worth the trip to come check it out if you ever get a chance. Our Granddaughter Alyx is flying in to Portland Thursday to spend a week with us.(who says 16 year old's don't want to spend time with their Grandparents!) We can't wait to spoil her.
If I don't get another post out in June, we will be moving over to our next job at Deschutes rec. St. Park for July and August.Yes,we were there last year and really loved it so were going back again.
Today was the best weather day we have had here as it was 80 degrees and light breezes,no wind. If this weather continues we may never leave.Such are the Oregon days on the Columbia

Fun along the Columbia River Gorge

On our days off,we try to see the area around where we are hosting.If we want to see,say Crater Lake National Park,we find a host job nearby.That is just what we did for September.We will be hosting at Collier Memorial State Park just 30 miles from Crater Lake."Its good to be King!"
Last Wednesday we visited Vista House State Park.It is about 30 miles west of us.



It was built in 1918 as a rest stop for weary travelers,and as a tribute to the Columbia highway #30 just completed in 1916.
It is an assume display of craftsmanship and exquisite materials. It looks like a small mansion instead of a highway rest stop.It houses a visitor center,a museum,a gift shop,a small snack bar and of course...Restrooms.


Of course,they aren't your average run of the mill restrooms,no they are done in Italian Marble.Jeni and I felt like Royalty using them.
The Columbia highway #30 is not the main hwy through the gorge any more,Hwy. #84 is now.But,historic Hwy. ##30 as its called today still has a lot of charm. As you head east from the Vista House,you wind through dense forest dotted along the way with fantastic waterfalls,breath taking overlooks with fabulous views of the mighty Columbia river,and small towns farms and orchards.Words don't describe the beauty of this drive.In my opinion,it is right up there with the "Nachez Trace parkway"drive from Natchez to Nashville,and alligator alley in Florida.


This is the view of the Columbia from the Vista House.Even with the low clouds,the view is superb!
If you ever get up this way,you have to take this drive.The waterfalls alone are worth it.
After a day of sightseeing,on our way home we couldn't resist stopping by the "Locks Cafe". This is where the Stern wheeler boat is docked.We love to lunch here or just pop in for coffee and a view!



As we sat outside enjoying our Java,we noticed all these sailboats racing around.We asked the waitress and she said it was the west regional collegiate sailing finals.I thing they are comprised of 2 men teams.Anyway, it kept us entertained.Ah,Sailboats,ospreys flying over head, fish jumping, and gentle breezes....I think I'll take a nap! OUCH!....Jeni just gave me one to the ribs!..."OK,"I'm awake.




When we left we decided to cross the bridge in Cascade Locks over to Washington and take Hwy.14 east along the Columbia for a perspective from the other side of the river.As we approached the Hood River Bridge(which takes us back over to the Oregon side of the river) we spotted a waterfall behind the "Old Columbia River Hotel. If we had not drove along the river on the Washington side,we wouldn't have ever noticed the waterfall.

Thursday morning we headed out again,this time to check out a nice hiking trail in the town of Mosier which is about 13 miles east of the park right off the #84. As with many of the trails here in Oregon, it has a Waterfall! Not as impressive as some, it was still ausume.

The trail started uphill so Jeni had to get her energy up to tackle it. We noticed that on the trail we would be passing a pioneer cemetery,so off we went.

The trail was lined with colorful wild flowers and amber meadows.









We made our way through the cemetery dotted with a few headstones and the trail started uphill again

Jeni loved the wild flowers and the ponderosa pines that were present here and there.It was only a mile round trip,but it was well worth it.

After the hike, we went in to Hood River for groceries and a bite of dinner before we headed to the park.

We love sightseeing,you always find somthing different to admire and gaze at.That's why we chose this lifestyle, it gives you the freedom to roam the country in search of beauty!

Tomarrow will find us back to volunteering again.Look what we have to put up with! Don't I look Stressed! I could hang out at my work all day,No Problem.








Yea, its a tough job but somebody has to do it. I'll just have to deal with it.Yea......All I need now is a "Cold One!"

See ya later on the Columbia river Gorge having fun.