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.

Hosting and Sightseeing in Oregon

This is our site at Viento State Park.....next to the shop! Not Jeni's dream site but at least we don't deal with the campers in the evening.I tried a new thing this year,being maintenance and repair hosts instead of camp hosts,I mow,weed whack, and run the blower for the trails and day use areas. The only thing,there's not much for Jeni. Oh,she goes out with me in the morning to work but she misses inter acting with the campers giving info and just visiting with them. The only good thing is we have access to the laundry room in the shop so Jeni can do laundry any time,and its free!

There is a little 12 site campground just outside the shop yard.It has a little creek that runs through it. Jeni and I like to picnic by the creek on our lunch hour.Its peaceful and beautiful,except for the traffic! Oh yea I forgot to mention our site is 1oo yards from hwy #84......yea,we hear traffic 24 hours a day! Another drawback, on the other side of #84 is the main campground and day use area and also the main east west route of........the trains......one an hour.......blowing their train whistles as they go by the park. Strike 3!

There are a lot of negatives but there are a lot of positives too. Just the shear beauty of the Columbia Gorge offsets most of the negatives.One of the neat things Jeni and I do each morning is take our "Gator" and drive one mile on the hike/bike trail to another little State Park "Starvation Creek." to check the restrooms,take some readings for various plant facilities,and make sure the area is clean.The little park has a spectacular waterfall some 150 feet tall and spills in to this raging little creek that flows right into the Columbia river.

It reminds me of a rest stop,it has trails besides the paved trail we take over to it,and the parking lot is always half full with hikers.The other half of the parking lot is used by people pulling off Hwy#84 to use the facilities and view the waterfall.

Here is a picture of the waterfall,the pic doesn't do it justice though. There are 2 picnic tables next to the creek and with a nice view of the waterfall. A very nice place to lunch and,no noise from Hwy#84! We love it.

Here is a picture of "Starvation Creek".The waterfall falls into the creek some 40ft. up the mountain where the creek winds down the rest of the way obscured until it emerges at the base of the mountain and rushes right by you as you are lunching at the picnic table.Another plus for the park!....life is good! All in All, we can handle 2 months here.We have been playing tourist on our days off.

Our first excursion was "Cascade Locks"which is about 20 miles west of the park on the #84.Bonneville Dam is there with the locks that raise or lower the ships and barges through the dam.Also they have a nice cafe and gift shop where they sell cruises on the"Sternwheeler"a 18th century riverboat.We booked one for Jeni's birthday.A nice sunset cruise that will actually travel through the locks down stream.The cruise lasts 4 hours.Jeni and I enjoyed sipping coffee,setting along the river and just enjoying the area.There is also a nice park and little RV park next to the cafe.


We are 6 miles from the town of Hood River so we always head in for shopping and dining.Hood River has some great eatery's.When we just want coffee we stop at this little coffee house that is decorated with tons of salt and pepper shakers.Jeni is showing off a lil bear salt shaker while enjoying her coffee. Humm...she hasn't touched her chocolate scone yet.





Not me,that "sucker" is half gone!

Another place we visited was the majestic Mount Hood. At over 11000ft elevation,it dwarfs the surrounding area. At the top is the historic Timberline lodge.On the drive up we passed some of the most spectacular scenery we have ever seen.The route, Hwy#30, travels past small farm communities and wineries,and national forest as we ascended the mountain.

We made it to the top and arrived at Timberline lodge.We enjoyed lunch and then checked out the lodge.The big draw is Skiing and there was still plenty of snow here for the avid skier.The lodge also has a nice Ski museum,and the lodge is reminiscent of a German lodge in the Alps,old world style. Notice the snow line on the lodge! That's how much snow is still up here.And cold! Holy Mackerel!











And Jeni being Jeni, she had to assault me with a lethal snowball! If it wasn,t so cold I would of retaliated. On our way back,we stopped in Hood River to check out the "Hood River" railroad.It runs trips along the Hood River.We booked a 4 hour trip in June.Pictures to follow the boat trip and train trip.Back to the pros's and con's of the park,do you know what Viento means in Spanish?.....wind. and yes it is very windy almost every day especially along the Columbia.But at our site next to the shop,we a shielded from the wind.Another plus,I guess. Well, adding up the pro's and con's of our situation, we are glad we took this stint.Hey its only 2 months! Last Wednesday our friends Stan and Diane stopped over and we went to Hood River for lunch.They are staying at their daughters place in Trout Lake Washington which is only about 30 minutes from our place.We will be seeing them again soon.I feel a game of hand and foot is in the cards! It has been rainy and cool for the most part here but the Rangers say the weather will warm up soon.Well,despite the rainy weather,the wind,the traffic,the trains,our site location,and duties we shall trudge on hosting and sightseeing in Oregon.

To Oregon and.......MORE SNOW!

Well were off for Oregon. We are excited about our new camp host assignments this summer starting with Viento State park on the Columbia river at Hood River Oregon. We first stopped off in Sacramento to see our Daughters and their families. We had babysitting chores for the weekend as Jackie and Dustin went to Monterrey for their wedding anniversary.

We are staying at "Campingworld"in Rocklin after the weekend to get a few things done on the coach.

I kept D.J. busy teaching him Grandpa's favorite sport,Baseball. I think he is going to be a natural,he hit everything I threw him!

One other thing Daughter Jackie told us as they were headed out,Saturday we have to take D.J. to a birthday party................

To" CHUCKY CHEESE!" NOOOOOOO! Oh yea kids 12" on center and running amuck! Jen and I knew our mission,choke down that terrible pizza and keep the tokens coming! All in all it wasn't too bad and D.J. had a great time.He and "Ole Chucky"had a great day.

Well, we took off for Oregon heading up the I-5.We covered about 350 miles and stopped for the night at 7-Feathers Indian Casino in Cannonville Ore.


The next day we did another 300+miles and stopped at Silver Falls State Park east of Salem Ore. It is a beautiful park which features 10 different waterfalls miles of trails and covered bridges which Jeni really enjoys.


We got in a little hiking when we got in and the weather was cool and brisk.






They have a very nice creekside trail with lots of benches for us "Senior hikers" to rest and enjoy the scenery.I think Jeni would love to camp host here,its a great park.


One morning I was walking to the trash bin and I struck up a conversation with the camp host. I told him we might be interested in hosting here next year.He had the park ranger stopping by as we spoke


so I met her and got us on her list for next year.Wouldn't that be great!







The next day we hiked around to see some of the falls.There is an 8 mile trail that goes to all 10 falls but that is a little much for us,so we took the shorter trails to see about half of them.
There is a trail that goes under this fall where you actually see the back side of the falls and yes you will get a little wet.


Oregon has a lot of waterfalls and where we are headed they have some nice ones up on the Columbia.





We could do this all day every day,Nature at its finest.


The weather has cooperated













Well the "Kiss Of Death" I brag on the weather and BOOM,rain!
Well when life hands you lemons,make lemonade! We ducked in to the lodge at the park,grabbed a couple of coffees,and enjoyed the day.We visited with the other campers and enjoyed the views.










We stayed nice and warm inside the lodge as they had this huge fireplace blazing. Jeni was enjoying her coffee and admiring all the pictures hung on the walls.I hope the gift shop is closed,she has that"I want to buy somthing"look in her eyes!












Well we are up early to head over to one of Oregon's newest park,"Stub Stewert".

I threw open the curtains,...NO,It CAN"T Be!.....SNOW! AGAIN! Not today....MAN,what a wierd weather year were having.The camp host said this was very unusual for late April.

Well we hooked up and started to head out when our hydraulic jacks alarm went off meaning one of our jacks was still not retracted all the way.I had to get out ,get under the coach,in the snow,on the ground to push it all the way up.What a day!




Even though the jacks were up all the way,the alarm would still come on periodically.

We got on the road and out of the snow and a couple of hundred miles later we pulled in "Stub Stewert" State Park about 26 miles west of Portland.

We got unhooked and set.Then we had a well deserved coffee and cookie break!!

The weather was great and we could enjoy the outdoors here.Tomorrow we will see what this park is all about,but now we got to enjoy our cookies.





We hiked a couple of miles and drove to some of the sites here at the park. It has a ton of trails for hikers,bikers,and horsemen.They have a campground with corrals just for the horse people.It is very nice.

Tomorrow,we head to Viento State Park for our first host assignment for the summer.It will be an easy 3 hour drive but one thing I'm going to do before we leave,Pull that "Jack Alarm" fuse so we have a quiet drive!

Well we are in Oregon for the summer and we are raring to go.Happy Trails for now,until next time,may the snow be behind us!