More Bend

Friday, September 30

I explored some dirt trails as I was looking for a paved trail that follows the Deschutes River.

I tried to follow this trail for a while hoping to gain access to the river but it seemed to end. My tires are not suited to this kind of riding so I was forced to retrace my steps and take a road down to the river. I did find it and enjoyed riding around & down to the main part of town.








The Deschutes River. After messing this river up for the last 100 years, they are now in the process of restoring it. In part, this involves placing over 100 trees in the water to change the flow & modify the silting that is happening.

I also observed some rapids with people on boards and others on Standup paddle boards.

Bend, OR for several days

Thursday, September 29

Another exciting day as I cycled over to the "other" RV park in town. I arranged to be parked in the overflow lot which means I'm parked on gravel and no nice lawn. Since it was less than half the price & it's too cool to be out on the lawn most of the time, it didn't seem to be too much of a hardship. I still have access to the nicest facilities I've come across yet. The most expensive parking place here is $89 per night! You can also spend up to $1800 per month to park here. I'm not going to do that!!!

Here is a photo of the space between sites. This room is unseen in the kind of places I frequent.

This is the kind of rig that one finds at this RV park. It is 8-12 longer than mine and costs from 10-25 times more (no exaggeration). I'm betting that I sleep as well or better than they do.

Here is the guest lounge. Wifi actually works here as opposed to at my site. It seems very difficult to get Wifi that is pushed out to all areas of an RV park & can handle the load that dozens of people may be trying to use at the same time.

I did some laundry and rode my bike around some of the areas to explore. I also enjoyed a quick trip to Costco but ended up not purchasing anything. Space is always a premium and Costco likes to deliver huge quantities.

Burns, OR to Bend, OR

Wednesday, September 28

Burns didn't have much to offer as far as I could see & there were no towns to speak of until Bend, so I got on the road & hardly stopped till I got to Bend about 135 miles later.

This is a view of the countryside from an overlook & is typical of the terrain all the way to Bend. It is high desert so it gets warm in the day time & cool at night. It was a comfortable 80º or so as I drove along. I did stop at a rest stop for a break but noticed a school bus pull in moments after I arrived. I hustled to the bathroom & they smiled to myself as about 30 7-8th grade girls got off the bus. They were a volleyball team headed to a  tournament near Bend, a 2-3 hour drive. I did comment to one of the coaches that I was glad it was them & not me on the bus.

I went to the cheaper of two RV parks I could locate in town & was given the last spot & only for Wednesday night. Slept as if I'd done something during the day that would have resulted in me being tired.

Riggins, ID to Burns, OR

September 27

261 miles

Today was a lot of driving today with few stops & few opportunities to talk to anyone. Scenery is ranch land & farmland with mostly rolling hills and open valleys. I filled up with fuel in Idaho just a couple of miles before crossing back into Oregon. I paid $2.33/gallon today and that was nice since I put about 65 gallons in! I spent more than 20 minutes this morning washing my windshield—twice with bucket and squeegee & once with paper towel & Windex. I’m sure that there was not one square inch of windshield that didn’t have one or more bugs on it. Do you have any idea how big my windshield is?? When I fueled up, I washed it again for at least 10 minutes & it still looked terrible when I was done. In the morning, I will have to wash it yet again.

When I entered Oregon, the landscape became more & more dry as it seems to be high desert getting less than 10” per year of precipitation.

Tonight I'm staying in a very overpriced, old RV park in Burns, OR. I know, I can hardly find it on the map either. I pulled in just about 6:40 PM with no reservation so I couldn't be too picky. I asked the owner what winters were like & he had no idea. They've only lived here for 4 months! He may be in for a surprise.

Garfield, WA to Riggins, ID

Monday, September 26

185 miles

I drove about 185 miles into Idaho and down to Riggins, ID, which is located on the Salmon River next to Highway 95. I went near Lewiston which is a city located on the Snake River. 

The view is from the beginning of a 7-mile descent down to the town & river. Much of my driving was uphill at 40 MPH with flashers blinking in a 65 MPH zone and then down the other side with a 6-8% grade, transmission in 3^rd gear, at 35 MPH, flashers blinking. It would not be wise to loose your brakes on one of these hills. I’ve yet to tire looking at the terrain. Much of it is wheat farms until I arrived at the river canyons. 

I stopped in the community of Winchester. It was the center of a feud between farmers & ranchers. They finally came together to get a post office. The name was decided by counting the guns that the farmers had ordered to see which brand they had purchased the most of. I talked to an older character (come to think of it, he might have been about my age) that was walking by. He happened to mention that it often gets to -20º in the winter. I decided to continue driving south.

A little later I entered Nez Perce country. That Indian tribe has quite a history with American settlers. Their most famous leader was Chief Joseph who after many victories, realized that he was never going to be able to stop the flow of immigrants & signed a peace treaty.

I could just picture the Americans arriving from the left, coming down the hill, to be ambushed by the Indians who were hiding behind some low hills at the bottom.

I spent Monday night in Riggins, barely a wide spot on the Highway 95. My RV park is unique since it’s located in the middle of nowhere at the bottom of a canyon with the Salmon River. I have cell phone coverage, often non-existent the past couple of days, the best Wifi I’ve had in a RV park (the all advertise they have it but often it’s so bad I can’t even check email), and good cable TV. I have connected a couple of times before only to be disappointed by the quality of reception (I’m not even talking about what’s on TV) but last night was an exception. I got set up just in time to watch the last third of the debate. I’m so glad I got here in time to watch it…I guess.

Walla Walla to Garfield, WA

September 25

100 miles

Sunday afternoon (I’m not known for getting away early. As I write this on Tuesday morning, it is 10:15 AM) I drove about a hundred miles north & east to see a couple of my favorite people, Larry & Linda. Linda is my brother-in-law Bob’s sister. They live within a few miles of where Larry grew up on a farm. Larry has recently retired but is still involved in the family's 3000 acres that they farm—wheat & lentils. I’ve seen them at some graduations & a wedding but haven’t been to their place in 25 years or so. I spent an evening talking and eating, which we continued on Monday morning. Plans to leave by about 10:00 turned into something after noon. I always love to talk to an expert about things that I know nothing about.

Walla Walla by bike

Sabbath, Sept 24 (Sorry for the delay. I have a terrible time finding decent internet out of cities.)

I took it easy all morning but was able to stream Loma Linda Church on my iPad. In mid afternoon, I set out by bike to explore the town of Walla Walla. Main St. is the main drag in town & is 10 blocks long. The town is bustling with tourists (think wine) and college students. With a Jr. College, Whitman College, & Walla Walla University all located in the same vicinity there are many young people about. Add to the fact that one or more of the colleges was beginning their fall semester on Monday, & you can see why there were kids everywhere. This photo of a Macy’s store on Main St doesn’t look very imposing. As I slowly cycled past, I overheard a woman telling a friend that often this location is the top grossing Macy’s in the chain of stores! 

Whitman looks like a typical college but surprised me a bit. Having gone to Pacific Union College, which is quite isolated from surrounding town & homes, Whitman is right in the middle of a residential area. Notice this beautiful house a few blocks from the campus. 

Should be an hysterical landmark or something.

On the right is a photo of the most famous building in town, Walla Walla General Hospital. I was born here a few years ago! Years ago I was up in Walla Walla with my parents & we tried to find this building. Even though it’d been 50+ years since my parents had seen the hospital, & many changes had occurred in town, my mom directed us to the general area. We asked a local person who directed us across town to the new Walla Walla General (an SDA hospital). Knowing that was not correct, we asked an older person who pointed out the structure that is now a dorm for Whitman.

Later I rode over to College Place and around the campus of Walla Walla University. 

Returning to my RV, I rode past a recreation area that had the following facilities on the edge of old Fort Walla Walla.

• Museum
• Remote car track
• Airport for remote controlled planes & quadcopters
• Disc golf course
• BMX track
• Skateboard area
• Dog park
• Picnic area

It was the most complete recreation area I’ve ever come across & I wonder why we don’t have some more of these facilities for kids (and adults) to enjoy.

My RV park was full of 50 or so animals such as this. 

Why???

Walla Walla while sick

Friday, September 23

I spent most of the day resting in my motor home. I was in a great RV park so was quite comfortable. Here are a few observations about life since I didn't really go anywhere or do anything.

• Got a pizza so I could burn it in my oven. And I did. I bought a thermoeter but placed pizza in before waiting for final temperature to stabilize. They say charcoal can be good for you...      
• No single people RVing. The only one I've seen was the drunk guy from earlier this week. Maybe that's why he was drunk.
• Have never leveled rig. Sites are mostly level & I never seem to care enough to make it even better.
• Never got out folding chair/lounge. I'm inside or out doing something.
• Wifi is terrible—often can’t even connect but always advertised in RV parks. One time could stream video! It's the pits not being able to blog, check email, etc. Phone always works but their is a limit to my data.
• TV is not clear. I did have the news on a few times this week but otherwise I could care less. Many people carry a sattelite dish with them & "have to hook up".
•  I like to get people talking about something they’re passionate about. Today, I talked to a guy with Harley in custom trailer.
• Haven’t washed a plate or bowl or cup—thank you Costco.
• Biking in an area is an awesome to really see it.
• Hesitant to stop at point of historical interest when driving motor home pulling my car for fear I’m too long & won't be able to turn around.
• Everyone has a dog or two or three!!!

Walla Walla & surrounding areas

Thursday, Sept 22

I had a very slow start to my day as I felt terrible. Turns out I also had a fever but hadn't quite figured that out yet. I met my nephew, Sean, for lunch & we had a very pleasant time catching up. I'd seen him about a year ago but when other family is involved, it is very hard to actually sit & talk one on one.

When we returned to my motor home, a friend whom I'd met online, was waiting to show me around the area. This lady loves history & was anxious to share her knowledge with me. We drove about an hour away to the location of one of Lewis & Clark's overnight encampments as they made the return trip to the east

This depiction shows all the members of the party and what they might typically do to set up camp. They are silhouettes made of iron & are identified by a signboard.

Perhaps one of the most important members of the Corps of Discovery, Sacagawea. 

Thanks to the superb notes taken, this is on the exact route the Corps followed in 1806.

The next stop was to the Whitman Mission established in 1836. This is a view from a nearby hill of the original buildings erected over the first few years of the mission's existence.

This mission site was excavated in the 1940's & my dad used to tell about how he helped to locate the building sites. He was a history student at Walla Walla College in the late 1940's. He & a friend went out to the location at dawn & with me dad on the hill top, was able to direct his friend to mark some building foundations that could be seen with the sun at such a low angle. Now, they have marked the buildings with cement markers. The Whitman's were helpful to the Native Americans & the arriving Americans until some disgruntled Native Americans killed them along with 11 others in 1947.

Burial site.

This is a replica of a typical wagon following the Oregon Trail. It is smaller than later pioneers used because they were some of the very first wagons to enter the territories. This is also part of the original Oregon Trail as many settlers had to divert to the Whitman Mission to resupply.

We then returned to Walla Walla and drove downtown & over to College Place to see the buildings of Walla Walla University. Nothing like having a local to drive me around. I experienced the same thing when I was in Vancouver when a dear friend, who knows the area very well, drove me around for three days. I could get spoiled!!

Walla Walla

Wednesday, September 21

I'm being very low key today as I have a miserable cold. Can't figure out which student to blame this time...

I potted around, fixed a few things on the motor home, rode my bike around a bit & now need to go back and do laundry.

Again, no photos...

Hood River to Walla Walla, WA

Tuesday, September 20

I'd planned to take two days to drive to Walla Walla but I needed to have a little work done on my Honda so drove it in one day. There are many places that I'd have liked to pull off to check out the view but when the sign says "No trucks" I get nervous. I'm always on the lookout for ways to get out and/or turn around. My motor home & car are very long so I just kept on driving. The river was very picturesque & the highway was in great shape. I'd called ahead & lined up an expensive place to park but since I wanted to be in town, I had little choice. As I arrived my Low fuel light came on, a first for me. I dropped the car at the RV park & found a Safeway to fill up my tank. I put in about 80 gallons of fuel. That is the first time I've filled it up since I purchased it in March. My theory is that I hate to carry around so much extra weight but I was getting tired of looking for cheap fuel with a station I could get into & out of again. I also carry very little water for the same reason. My brother is the opposite as he always felt best when he had a full tank of fuel & water. He likes to camp out in the woods for several days at a time. My travel style is to go from a small town to another small town & try to find a reasonable RV park with water & power. Internet is nice but is usually so slow as to be near useless. My current park offers Wifi but I'm down at the local Starbucks with slightly faster Wifi.

As I left the park on Tuesday morning, I noticed this sign:

I found two things humorous. First, there is camping about 100' away. Second, no smoking. Apparently, that only applies to tobacco as I noticed a very STRONG order of marijuana coming from the camp host's RV. It's a new world.

Boring to Hood River

Monday, September 19

Today I got up even earlier beating my alarm. It seems that I needed to meet another friend for breakfast. When I returned to my motor home I decided to try to leave today for points east. As I started unhooking things, I realized how filthy my motor home was with California dirt (think Soquel for 10 days). Anytime I had a heavy dew or light rain, if the motor home wasn’t perfectly level, water & mud would run down the sides. A wash job seemed in order. I pulled from my gravel pad to some grass (yes they have grass here & people often drive on it) and spent more than an hour washing it. I’d brought a long handled brush, bucket & car wash but I didn’t realize how small the brush was & how big the motor home is. I now have a better concept but at least I did help water the lawn. I climbed up on the roof & scrubbed away. I finally blasted out of Boring at about 4:00 pm, a bit late for a long day’s drive.

I drove about 12 miles and visited another cousin, brother to the two I’d seen last week. I finally got on the road about 5:30 and drove 48 miles to Hood River. The freeway follows the Columbia River and is very scenic. I’m camped in a crummy little county campground that is over priced for what they offer. For my first time I have no water, no power & no sewer but I’m self contained so not too big a problem. I believe there is 1 tent across the way and a falling down drunk guy in a motor home closer to me. When I first tried to talk to him, it took him about 15 tries (I’m not exaggerating) to reach over to his boom box and turn it down so he could hear me. At that point I no longer wanted to talk to him but he weaved his way over & proceeded to give me drunk suggestions. I’m hoping he doesn’t decide to come over to be sociable tonight. If he got into my motor home & I had my stove on, he’d probably explode.

Hood River area

Not a bad place to camp if you like the sound of a river 30' away, lots of trees & two other campers in the park. The shower even had lots of hot water.

More time in Boring & the Portland area

Sunday, Sept 18

Another day of arising early & a Sunday to boot, but it was all worth it as I was invited over to Ed & Sandy Hoover’s house for breakfast. I’ve know them since the 80’s when they lived in Sonora where Joanie & Sandy were very good friends. These are people you just like to be around because they’re positive & interesting. Their two sons were there so we enjoyed a very pleasant, relaxing meal with good conversation. I may have stayed until almost noon but, realizing that some people need to get ready for the workweek, I departed. Shortly after leaving I received a text from Brian Simmons, a former youth pastor in Sonora inviting me to supper. How could I say no to another of my favorite people. Brian & Chantal and their young son had just returned from being sponsors for an academy class camping trip and upon learning that I was in town, kindly invited me over.

Sunday afternoon, I made a run to REI to return something that I’d not used and probably didn’t need. I purchased some shoes in the mall & then sat down to work on my blog in Barnes & Noble. I got a few things posted but the internet was so slow that I could never upload any photos so that will have to wait for another time. I drove directly to the Simmons’ house in Boring and had another enjoyable meal & conversation. Brian had been one of our outstanding youth pastors & had a great connection to the youth at school but could also preach an excellent sermon to the church members. I got home about 10:00 that night.

For dessert, Brian graciously set out a bowl of candy. When I took the photo, about 5-6 had been eaten that evening.

Needless to say, we ate the candy with gusto and he still had a few left for another day.

Joanie loved to find cards to give to people. She found this one to give to Brian & left it blank for him to use. Not only had he not given it away, he could find it from 10 years ago & at least two moves.

The inside reads, "May Brian bless you on your birthday and always."

A Boring Day

Sabbath, September 17

Sabbath morning I made it to the Boring church where Jim is senior pastor. He kindly introduced me to the congregation and as it was Education Sabbath, had all the teachers come forward. He also invited me by name to come up so my sitting on the back row was for naught. Potluck was tasty and Betty, being an outgoing Christian, invited a man with 3 kids under age 6 over for the afternoon. They stayed till about 7:00 even though Jim had departed at about 5:00 for his next function. I faded out about 9:00 & trundled off to my motor home while Betty continued to pack for a weeks trip to Orcas Island (they’d just returned Thursday from Sonora). In his spare time, Jim likes to drive for Uber & Lyft just to meet people. The property they’re living on is where Betty grew up from 6^th grade on. Her parents built the house and were forced to sell it due to age a year before Jim & Betty moved up. When they got up here, the house & property was for sale at a much lower price than the owners had paid Betty’s folks a year before. Jim & Betty snapped it up. The trees, large evergreens I mentioned in the previous post, had all been planted by Betty’s mother years ago and make it look like you’re living in the forest.

Just a part of their back yard & yes, I've parked my car on the lawn!

Oregon City to Portland to Boring

Friday, September 16

Friday seemed like a good day to take the bus & my bike into Portland to explore a bit so I caught a bus to downtown. It took a little over an hour to travel about 16 miles due to traffic. I was glad for a bike rack on the front and a friendly passenger sitting near me. This passenger was sure to tell me numerous times that I wasn't going to like the Portland area & to give NO thought to moving up here once she learned I'm from California. As I got off, I thanked the bus driver for being a good driver & for being so friendly and helpful to her passengers.

After getting let off downtown, I may have wandered into the Apple store. Since I wasn't purchasing a new iPhone, I could pass by the 50-60 people who were lined up hoping to spend some good money. Since it was near lunch time, I texted Troy to see where he'd suggest I go. He made an eating, a coffee, an ice cream, & a donut suggestion. I figured three out of four would work just fine.

I rode over to the Willamette River, rode down river until I had to turn back towards the city & lunch. The meal was tasty as Troy had promised. The coffee, located on the same street, was also excellent. What do you think was my third stop before returning to near the bus stop? I went back towards Pioneer square and got to talking with a woman who also was riding an electric bike. When her husband returned they both suggested that I just cycle back to Oregon City and proceeded to give me directions. Since I had a GPS and iPhone with me, I figured I could probably manage the turns. I did but some of it was just guessing when the GPS & iPhone gave conflicting directions. I came to a sketchy section of town with some scruffy looking people so I took a short detour. Basically I just kept near the river, headed south. I took about the same amount of time as taking the bus but it was more interesting as I followed bike paths & some neat neighborhoods.

I returned safe & sound after riding 14-15 miles, hitched up my Honda and set out for Boring. The McMurray’s (former Sonora pastor for 20 years) had invited me to stay on their property but when I arrived, the trees surrounding their property were so thick that I stopped & texted Betty a couple of times. I reminded her I was towing a car & would I have room to turn around, would I fit through the gate, was I at the right place, etc. She assured me that all would be well. I crept in to find room to park 40 motor homes & to discover that they owned one larger than mine. They have power, water & sewer which made parking there a great option. They were most hospitable and put me to work helping Betty finish canning some home grown pears. House sitting their 4-5 dogs & 5 chickens when they’re gone is Jeanette Esquer, a former student.

Nothing like a good river to make California boy happy.

Oregon City to Salem to Woodburn

Thursday, September 15

Thursday morning was another beautiful day in Oregon. I got up early, about 8:00 or so (sorry) and after breakfast took a ride around town to explore. A bike is a great way to explore a small town as it allows me so much flexibility of where to go and when to stop. It is a great contrast to driving my motor home (32') and pulling my Honda because that means I'm trying to maneuver about 45' into parking lots & gas stations. It requires careful thought to avoid a problem. Part of my ride was along this bike path that is located just in front of where I was parked.

 After several hours of riding around and visiting a couple of local museums, it was time to take a drive. I'd arranged to meet Shelley Taylor (she taught at my school years ago) near her new school in Salem. We spent a pleasant hour together catching up on things. She's teaching kindergarten in a public school which is a great improvement to the part time work she's had the past year or so.

I left Salem and head back north to the town of Woodburn where another cousin lives. This cousin lives on 35 acres of farm land in a house built about 1900. He's an electrician but loves to tinker, much like his father, my mother's younger brother. Gary has 4 motorcycles, 2 boats, 2 airplanes (including one with floats) and a great big barn to store much of it in. His main problem is a lack of time to play with all his toys. We had a pleasant time talking and catching up on things. I made it back to my campground at 9:55 PM with minutes to spare.

Vancouver to Oregon City to Portland

Wednesday, September 14

I decided to visit some relatives that I've not seen in about 30 years. It seemed like it was time. I found a small city owned campground right  on the Willamette River so I hitched my car up and drove down there. Since they don't take reservations, I wasn't sure what I'd find. They had a space for me with electricity & water, all that I like (but don't really need) at only $20 per day. $5 more if I wanted to be right on the river but since I expected to be gone most of the time, I didn't pay the extra money. Late in the afternoon, I drove to the southwest section of Portland to meet up with a cousin 18 years my junior. She is remarkable in that she's taken it upon herself to become the family historian and genealogist for our branch. She's done some mazing things like learning many Norwegian songs on her violin, discovering old Norwegian folk dances (including driving to LA to a class) and has even made a trip to central Norway to meet with distant relatives. She also scans photos, scours the internet and has made trips to Wisconsin & South Dakota in search of our ancestors. She has a family group on FaceBook and has connected many people over the years. We had a delightful evening sharing remembrances of our grandparents. Too soon I had to leave to drive back to my motorhome because they lock a gate at 10:00 PM and I'd have to leave my car outside & walk in.

If you think I was smart enough to take even one photo of her or her family, you'd be sadly mistaken. I wonder if I will ever learn...

View of Willamette River in front of my motor home.

Oregon City & Fort Vancouver

Tuesday, Sept 13

I was clever to check the internet to see when Dr. McLoughlin's house was open in Oregon City. He headed up the Hudson's Bay Co in Oregon territory but got in trouble with them because he kept welcoming American settlers (coming on the Oregon Trail) to an area claimed by the British. Earlier, in 1825, he established Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River. When we arrived at the house, I realized it was only open Friday & Saturday, not Tuesday. I hadn't bothered to check on days, only the hours.

 Nevertheless we had a nice look around town & talked to a coup,e of interesting people. I
Earned that the highway running through town, 99E, was the original highway that I must have been on dozens of times as we traveled from Stockton to Portland and Seattle to visit family each summer. Early on, gas stations were built at least every hundred miles & had to be located on several acres so airplanes (think biplanes) could land & refuel as needed.

Oregon City is also known for its
murals painted on walls all over town that depict early life in Oregon
Territory. This is also the general location where the Oregon Trail ended for settlers coming west.

Fort Vancouver is located about 25 miles north of Oregon City on the Washington side of the Columbia River. It looks like what you might expect a fort to look like. Actually it wasn't built for protection as much as to keep people from stealing things. It's now a living museum with a working blacksmith and other people in period costume.

McMinnville and Silverton

September 12

Another delightful day was spent in northern Oregon as I visited three great locations. First stop was to the air museum at McMinnville to see dozens of airplanes and Howard Hugh's Spruce Goose. The photo does not do it justice as it is very challenging to photograph. One of the largest planes in the world, it was flown only one time and for just a very short distance. I missed getting around to see it when it was in Long Beach for years so didn't want to miss this opportunity.

It was about an hour & a half drive but well worth it.

Next we drove over to Silverton, near Salem, to visit the only viewable Frank Lloyd Wright designed home in the Pacific Northwest. The Gordon House was designed in 1957, built in 1964, slated to be destroyed in 2001 and taken apart and moved to it's current site in 2001. The house is designed in the Usonian style (United States of North America) and was planned to be a smaller home suitable for families of all income levels. Wright died before it was built but the owners loved it. When it was sold, the new owners wished to demolish it and applied for a permit to do so. It was purchased and moved within 100 days. Wright's focus was on the horizontal as it was to signify harmony and peace.

Gordon House. They actually cut the top floor off & transported it by truck and rebuilt it on site.

The interior is all of Western red cedar, a wood that was not too expensive back then. Wright loved to design built-in furniture and have a variety of ceiling heights from the low entryway ceiling at 6' 6" (as were the bedrooms) to the kitchen and living room ceilings which

were about 15' high or so.

Entry way with living room behind where I was standing.

Wright was very particular about his designs & preferred to design both the inside & outside of his creations. This room was for the boys.




Our last stop, before eating some great Mexican food, was a quick visit to the Mount Angel Abby. We talked to a monk, a priest theological student and visited inside the chapel.










On the way back to Vancouver, we went by Portland Adventist Academy, managed to get into the administration building and located a photograph of my mom in the 1944 graduating class.

Mom is the bottom right photo.

Astoria to Vancouver, WA

Sept 9-11

I'm visiting friends in the Vancouver/Portland area for a few days so postings may be less frequent. Went to church in Vancouver on Sabbath and saw some of my favorite friends, Rodger & Marjorie Moran, who just moved up here a few weeks ago from the Sonora area. They've picked a beautiful place to move to but I tracked them down!

Drove around the countryside & found this beautiful little falls. The terrain is unlike my part of California...they have water!!

Sunset Falls

Tillamook to Fort Stevens near Astoria

Tillamook to Fort Stevens near Astoria

September 8

Interesting observation from my visit to Florence. The main radio station played oldies all the time. When I say oldies, I mean from the 1930’s to 1960’s. Couldn’t figure out who they would be targeting until the next day when I was in town looking at all the old people!! Finally got it but I’ve never heard another station like that one. Perhaps I spend too much time in Twain Harte streaming Celtic music and just have no clue…

Tried to go to a coffee shop in Tillamook but when I entered it, itlooked like a hippy place. Junk everywhere and didn’t look too clean. Turned around & left. A lady sitting outside was busy rolling her own joint as I walked past. Headed to cheese factory & watched them slice 42’ blocks of cheese. Then sampled 6-7 kinds of cheese. They give away 250-300 lbs of cheese everyday during the summer! I suckered for a single scoop of their ice cream. Tasty!

Stopped in Seaside because I kept seeing all these neat old cars. The visitors center was full of answers to my questions. Drove down to a shopping center where I found 60-70 pre 1965 cars gathering. They’re having a big show this weekend but today many of them got together to drive past three senior centers. Isn’t that a neat thing to do?

Now I’m at Fort Stevens, very near to Astoria. I’ll visit the fort in the morning dating from the Civil War to the 1940’s. Also I’m anxious to see Fort Clatsup Friday where Lewis & Clark wintered after crossing half the American continent in the early 1800’s. I’m in a state campground and it is amazing. It has hundreds of sites but much undergrowth everywhere so it feels a little private. Rode my bike around and talked to a number of people. Many, many people are outside as opposed to the RV parks I’ve stayed in where everyone enters their unit, closes the curtains and doesn’t come out till they’re ready to leave. Some clouds and some wind but temperatures in the 60’s today. Had to add a sweatshirt to my tee shirt & shorts when I rode around just before dark. Glad to come into my motor home, turn on some lights and turn on the radio to find some classical music. Time to make some popcorn and perhaps a hot drink while I read.

Trail in the campground

Ft Stevens-Civil War till 1947