Our granddaughter Alyx came to visit us at Viento last week.She flew in to Portland and we picked her up.We visited the waterfalls in the area
back toward the park.She has become quite the young lady. They grow up so fast. Jeni usually books her flight on Southwest airlines but because money has been a little tight lately she found "Cheapo Air!"It is an online service that guarantees the lowest fares,well Alyx wasn't impressed. She flew one of those little commuter planes that holds only a handful of people. She was not impressed! And Grandma Jeni heard about it!
Waterfalls was the order of the day and we hit all the ones on hwy #35. Grandma and Alyx especially enjoyed Horsetail Falls as we spent the most time at. We got back to Viento and settled in for the night. Of course we had to play 31
, Alyx's favorite game. Saturday we went in to Cascade locks for Pioneer Days. A festival depicting life in Oregon back in the late 1800's.there were settler's camps,Indian camps,military camps,and plenty of food and music. There is an island where all the festivities took place.On the right of the island is the Columbia. On the left is a channel where ships used to pass through the locks to get around some "nasty"rapids that used to exist on the Columbia.
They had authentic Indian teepee's and demonstrations of indian life back then. Life was probably a lot better for our native people before Government intervention took this way of life from them. Many historical accounts by settlers and immigrants to Oregon told of their friendly and helpful nature. And how did we respond, by putting them on Reservations! Great move!! Our Benevolent government.
The Trapper and Fur trader was a vital and necessary cog in the development of the area as he kept Dudes in hats and well to do ladies in furs.
At the military encampment,this guy had all the Vietnam vets diving for cover. He fired off that cannon 2 or 3 times an hour.It was load! I even jumped when that thing went off. It was a nice day and a great way to learn of Oregon's river gorge history. Unlike the "Gold rush"in California in the mid 1800's, the people coming in to Oregon were farmers and merchants. I think that's why Oregonians are a more laid back rural lot than the high strung high powered Californians.
Alyx had done a project in school about Oregon's friendliest Indian Sacajawea. The Indian princess who helped Lewis and Clark as they blazed a trail into the Gorge in Oregon. Of course Alyx had to pose with a bronze statue of her. Boy! those Indians were tall back then!! We had a great day at Cascade Locks. We went to Hood River for dinner and to do a Little shopping in the downtown area. Alyx just got her drivers licence so we let her drive to get the feel for Oregon drivers. She is a very good driver and handles our car very well. I felt sorry for her as she had two "backseat drivers" in the car.She handled the "Ole"
Susuki like a pro. Jeni and I were trying to keep her busy going here and there but her last 2 days here all she wanted to do was hang out with her Grandparents at home,so that is what we did. It touched us that she still likes to hang with us even though shes 16. Well all too soon we put her back on the plane(puddle jumper) back to Sacramento.We were sad to see her go and that night Jeni and I said how quiet the Motor home was.No sounds of silly laughter,no "buffing Grandpa's head",no sounds of Alyx and Grandma playfully wrestling.Just the memories of the years of Alyx visiting us on our full time travels,Tearfully that this might have been the last one as she nears adulthood.We love you Boo.
Tomorrow we leave Viento and drive over to Deschutes for our July-August volunteer job.
We have enjoyed this area and loved being so close to Hood River. A quaint little city with great food and entertainment.We will go from 70 degree weather to 90 degree weather.I am looking forward to shorts instead of levi's and to packing away my coat. Next blog post from Sunny Deschutes.On the road again for P&J adventures.
