visiting Washington and a beautiful baby

I finally put a new picture on our title page as the other one had been on there a couple of years. And being the computer wizard I am, I can't get the picture formatted correctly! You only see part of the picture. Until I figure out the problem, here is what the picture should look like.We took the picture on a hike on the "railroad" trail which runs above the park. this is a beautiful area.

I am amazed how many barges move up and down the Columbia river. Also the trains that travel east and west right along the river on both the Oregon side and the Washington side.
The Columbia River Gorge is a very scenic byway and we have enjoyed traveling up and down it marveling at its many splendors.



Our days off this week were spent visiting our "camphost"friends Stan and Diane in Trout Lake Wa. They are staying at their Son in law and Daughters place spending time with them and their new Grandson Michael!
Of course Jeni had to get some baby time in and held him every chance she got! What a beautiful baby he is. Congrats to all of them.
Stan, Diane, and their daughter Jenny made a delicious lunch and of course there were CARDS to be played! I am happy to report that I was the big
winner for once.As we got into the car
to leave, Stan noticed I had a flat tire.
Humm.....what a coincidence! I think
the three of them conspired to keep
me there to play more cards!!!




Thursday Jeni and I decided to head east on the 84 to follow the Columbia into Washington where it merges with the Snake and Yakima rivers.
We checked out the communities of Richland,Toppenish,and Goldendale.
Toppenish is called the city of "murals" a project the city undertook back in the 80s to beautify some of the older buildings and keep their heritage and the heritage of the Yakima Indian's alive. What a novel idea. They were almost real! Jeni took pictures of the best ones.


The name of this one is"Old Saturday Market"circa 1890s

This one is"Yakima leaders" depicting famous Yakima nation leaders of the early days.

This one is"Long route Short day special delivery"

This one is"legends of Yakima" depicting several well known and revered Yakima Indian legends.

This one is called"Mystery House"

This one is"From Horse to Horseless Carriage"

This one is"Cattle Drive".

"Alex McCoy"an Indian agent in 1835.

Ruth Parton Was a "trick Rider in the early 1800s Toppenish.

And finally,"patterns of life depicting the Yakima ways of life in the 1800s.

Anyway,you get some idea of these beautiful murals and the idea behind them.We sure enjoyed Toppenish.

We stopped in Goldendale for dinner at a little cafe"Sod Busters". Great food and only 20 minutes from the park.We will be back there for sure.The best chicken fried steak I've ever had.

Well it was a great two days off with plenty to see and do but Jeni and I have to get some rest so it is back to volunteering again tomorrow.

But you can bet we will be back on the "sight seeing trail" again

next week as we explore more of Oregon and Washington.