We found the Willamette Falls of the
Clackamas River only a short distance from our campground. Also found fresh strawberries between the falls and trailer. Sorry Alan that we didn't find them before you left.
Oregon City was the official end of the Oregon Trail and their
visitor center was quite unique.
Monday, June 18 we moved out to the Columbia River to a Passport America RV park at Corbett.
We treated ourselves to go back to Cascade Locks for another one of their bacon hamburgers and ice cream.
Tuesday, June 19 this was a good place to use their internet to post the blog and do our laundry.
After supper we rode to the top of
Larch Mountain to climb the rest of the way to the peak for a view of the five mountains. Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier, Mt Adams, Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson. WOW! what a view. We only expected to see Mt Hood, so it was a wonderful bonus to see the others.
We had planned on inserting a Video of 5 mts, but the transer didn't make it from the iphone. Sorry.
Arriving back at the RV park Fred noticed a poor
kitty all wired up from a trailer. This is the 2nd trailer kitty walk we have seen this year. The other was a lot bigger.
Thursday, June 21 we moved to a county park south of the city of Hood River and were disappointed in the facilities, but the location was good. We took a drive to see if we could find Cherries, but again were disappointed. However, we did get a fantastic view of Mt Hood. This time we learned there are about 20 glaciers from the point down.
It was hot when we went to bed. We knew it would get cold in the night and sure enough it did.
Friday, June 22 our 49th wedding anniversary. My how time flies. We slept late and took our time getting ready, then drove in to town and made a WM stop. This one was small like the old in Duncanville. My what a difference the new larger stores makes.
We attempted to watch the kite boarders flying over the Columbia, but it was too cold for them today. Maybe more would be out tomorrow.
At the local grocery store Fred picked out a dozen beautiful red roses and handed them to Olivia. After a thank you kiss we put them back for someone else. No place or vase in the trailer and it’s the thought that counts. We celebrated our anniversary at a recommended restaurant at the golf course then came in early.
Saturday, June 23 after a miserably cold, wet, morning we finally decided to get out of the trailer. We had planned a full day and were getting nowhere. As we arrived in town the sun started peeking through the clouds. Thank you God!
After a few chores, farmers market, and cappucino we took off to Cascade Locks for their Sternwheeler Days. We had missed the Lions breakfast and parade.
Cascade Locks is one of the oldest towns on the Columbia river sitting on a section of the river that Lewis and Clark described as the “great rapids of the Cascades,” a stretch of raging water more than two miles long. Because of the dangerous rapids, pioneers moving west had to stop here. A small settlement grew up on the banks of the river in the early 1850’s to help travelers portage around the rapids, first by foot, then by mule-drawn rail cars, steam engines and finally riverboats.
Native fishermen were
fishing from a platform over the old lock and swift river. They have treaty rights to fish, when, where, how and as often as they please. These have long poles with big nets about 4-5’ in diameter from the end of the pole. They stand on this platform and as a fish runs into the net, they pull it out. The natives were bringing out a fish every five to ten minutes. Others were
lucky also.
One native was fishing from the
Thunder Island side of the old lock where the Mountain men encampment was. The re-enactors of the early American frontier had been camping in their tents for several days waiting for this weekend. They wore buckskins, calico and furs to recreate the style of the 1840’s to 1870’s.
There were probably 35 plus tents set up as the original mountain men. The re-enactors of the early American frontier welcomed us as we crossed onto Thunder Island.
Fred was
his usual friendly self and enjoyed talking to several of the “characters.” Olivia enjoyed the dress of the men, especially their jewelry.
One tent caught our eye and Olivia enjoyed looking at the
bone crochet hooks. This woman told us about Mr. Douglas who took seed of the Douglas fir to London.
As we were leaving the island we noticed a group preparing to shoot off a canon. A shout of “Fire in the Hole!” alerted the public to a blast from the past. Smoke and a boom
filled the air as it exploded, sent a disc into the sky, and candy fell from the air. This was better than a piñata except some of the wrappers were a little scorched.
Since we were in Cascade Locks we just HAD to eat another bacon cheeseburger at East Wind Drive In. This is just one of those places you don’t pass up.
As we were eating we noticed them taking frozen partially pre-fried bacon out of a sack and dumping it in the deep fryer along with the fries. After melting the bacon they placed it on the griddle to finish cooking. Is that adding insult to injury to the fries or what? Hey, Covenant Sunday School class how about cooking our bacon for the Pancake/Chili Day that way?
Back in Hood River the wind was rising and the
kite boarders were out testing their skills. On shore many
kites were drying or being prepped to go out.
Back at the campground while Olivia was working on the computer she happened to look out the window and saw what appeared to be a
forest fire. It was actually the beautiful sunset through the campground trees. This was one of the prettiest sunsets we have seen.
Sunday, June 24 we attended worship services in
Odell UMC. It and the Pinedale UMC have merged for services but retained both of the buildings. They attend Odell UMC during the school year and Pinedale in the summer. They share a minister. We enjoyed their service and the coffee time after worship. We told them we planned to drive over Lolo Pass and they recommended a visit to
Lost Lake.
During the Oregon trail and the Cascades at Cascade Locks, many of the travelers opted to go via
Lolo Pass or Barlow Pass. We ventured out to see them both. Our imagination carried us back to pretend we were traveling in a covered wagon. Thank goodness for the better road and our faithful Suburban. The road was very narrow with pullouts and a great part of it was followed by a huge power line. Strange how our forefathers blazed a trail for the power line.
Lolo Pass skirts the west side of
Mt Hood and is surrounded by many trees and views of the illusive Mt Hood.
We curved around the south side of the mountain on Hwy 26 stopping at a road side park and saw these unusual
flowers growing in snow melt. Anyone have any idea what they are? Then we headed back north on Hwy 35 and Barlow Pass dropping back into the Columbia valley and a view of Mt. Hood. We have been told the Barlow Pass dropped with a 60% grade, therefore the wagons were lowered via ropes and pulleys.
Monday, June 25 we moved west along the Columbia River, passing through “The Dalles” pronounced Dals and on to LePage Corps of Engineer Park. This is a small park on a fork of the John Day lake. We were fortunate to find a choice of two non reservable sites, so we could stay up to 14 days. The wind is ever present here with a small storm in the late afternoon.
Tuesday, June 26 we cleaned house then went for cappucino about 10 miles west at Biggs. We had been told of a “u-pick” cherry orchard across the river in Washington. So we crossed over and found the place. Not only did they grow cherries but apricots, peaches, pears and garden vegetables. Only the
apricots and cherries were ready.
We tried the apricots and thought they needed a few more days on the trees. We were given the choice to pick 20 lbs or more of cherries for $1 a lb or if less to pay $3.50 lb. so we just had to pick 20 lbs. Which didn't take us long. We were also given the choice to pick Bing or Rainer cherries. For us that didn’t take any time to decide as we think Rainer are superior. They were
were huge and juicy. We had lunch while picking.
Back at the park we gave three new friends about a quart of cherries then went to work. We decided to try drying some in the oven according to directions found online. We also froze seven quarts. All our freezer would allow. The drying process takes about 24 hours and we still had a bucket full.
Wednesday, June 27 we decided to go back to The Dalles to do a little sightseeing. We visited the museum of the Columbia then drove back into town. We made standard gas and grocery stops then headed across the
river just under the Dalles Dam to see the sights from Washington. Water from the spillway was certainly being aeriated as it was coming out with great force.
This road was a two lane as opposed to the freeway in Oregon. It was a higher elevation and treated us to some good views.
Wishram is one of many little towns tucked into little valleys on the Washington side.
As we neared Maryville we saw signs advertising Maryville Winery. Olivia had seen this brand in stores and thought it would be a good stop.
Maryhill is a huge winery with
fantastic views along with an amphitheater overlooking the river. They have free concerts each weekend.
Thursday, June 28 we decided to move to our most eastern destination in Oregon. This was the 4th of July weekend and spots were scarce. We did find a Passport America in an RV park in Irrigon and called it home for three nights.
Friday, June 29 was a lazy day with only one scouting expedition. There is not much in Irrigon.
Saturday, June 30 we made a quick trip to Hermiston for a $3.50 part for the awing and a visit to their farmer’s market. We purchased a flat of berries. Raspberry, blackberry and two crosses of those. Fred worked on the awning and Olivia posted to this entry of our blog.
Sunday, July 1 found us worshiping at the
Hermiston UMC.
We really enjoy hearing news from home and from friends we have met along the way, so please send us a quick email to let us know what’s up in your life and comments about this blog.
This can happen by clicking on olivia@bobheck.com or fredharrington@yahoo.com
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