10 August ‘07

Friday

Yesterday was another day full of incredible sites and hikes…Mount St. Helens.  On the 18^th of May, 1980 Louise, the 3 girls, (Mikleane, Leslee, & Joelle) and I, were visiting some great friends (the Ostrems) in Vancouver Washington.  After we dug ourselves out of bed and sat having breakfast, we heard over their TV that Mt St. Helens had erupted.  We had met Leroy and Linda in 1969 when we had moved to that neighborhood, and one thing that we all enjoyed was the incredible view of that “snow cone” Mount St. Helens.  Now we were standing out in their front yard in stark amazement watching the gray ash and smoke rise high into the stratosphere.  We hadn’t heard a thing when the mountain slid away, but now watching the lightning come out of the rising cloud of dust, the indescribable feelings, and the reality setting in that we wouldn’t see this mountain, that we had known for so many years, the same way again.  Now we are driving the winding and twisting road to get as close as we can to the crater that was left behind.  With a few stops to see the different views of St Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt Adams we continue to our goal…”Windy Ridge” viewpoint.  Let me tell you, Windy Ridge is well named (we’ve been here before), but today it is just a tamed breeze which we welcomed.  Our first hike is almost straight up.  They have built these steps into the side of a hill to give us a great view point of the crater.  Unfortunately, like so many mountains, when the weather has made up it’s mind to have a cloud cover over the critical part of the mountain, there is nothing you can do but enjoy what you have.  There is a trail that we took that ended up splitting up into 2 others just about half way up slide area. 

Hiking there got us closer to a wonderful waterfall that seemed to come right out of the base of the crater.  (Now a note:  for some reason we have fallen away from preparing for a “hike”.  Our clothing was OK for today’s hike, but we didn’t bring water and most of all, we didn’t bring any food…WE’VE GOT TO GET BETTER AT THIS !!!)   For this reason, we hiked for only 2 ½ hours and only got as far as were the trail split to go up and to an overlook above the crater or down to the base of the slide…I guess there is always a next time, baring another eruption. 

10 August ‘07

Wednesday

Tuesday morning Louise and I said our good-byes to Ricardo and Suzie.  Before leaving, Ricardo grabbed his camera and coaxed us to take a minute for pictures.  With a photographer of his caliber it was a “no-brainer”…we just smiled and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity.  Our destination…Cascade Peaks Golf & RV Park, just outside of Randle, Washington.  This puts us right between Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens. 

Wednesday morning we drove the loop road up to Mount Rainer.  It took us through the east gate and out the west gate.  Our first stop was the “Grove of the Patriarchs”. 

It was a short round trip hike of 2 miles through one of the most memorable forests.  The towering Douglas firs and Western red cedars that are as much as 1000+ years old and some measuring more than 25 feet in circumference.  We crossed a steel and wood bridge that had been wiped out by a major flood this last November (’06).  It rained over 18” of rain in 3 days and took out 28 bridges in the area before it was all over.  Even as we sit here in the campground and drive down the highway in both directions, we can see the damage.  Two major rivers in the area even had their “normal” river bed drastically changed, and all along the fields we can still see the thousands of trees and stumps that lay tangled in huge piles stretching for miles.  Continuing our loop drive, we enjoyed the many stops to admire the natural beauty that the National Park of Mount Rainier has to offer.  From waterfalls, to glacier fed streams and lakes, and to gazing across the many “foot hills” of Mt. Rainier.  Then it was up to Paradise Lodge.  Again the views were amazing, although we still couldn’t see the mountain (top), but that didn’t matter too much as it gave us a great place to have a much needed lunch break.  Back in the car again we passed by the many lakes that stand close to the road and finally find our next stop…Longmire.  Another full day and one that we have taken before many years ago but as we found today, can still be unforgettable and worth a second, third or more times and still enjoy it.

6 August ‘07

Monday

On Friday morning we drove across the Astoria Bridge, turned east and headed onto Portland (Gresham) along Oregon Highway 30.  This route took us along the Columbia River to Portland.  Once there we followed our GPS system to the doorsteps of Suzie and Ricardo (Dick) Schacht.  We met Ricardo and Suzie about 5 years ago while we were in Cabo San Lucas.  Then this last December as Louise and I were walking through the RV Park in Cabo, we came across this couple that was just arriving.  We stopped to talk with them for a minute and in that period of time we all knew that we had met somewhere before but couldn’t figure out where or when.  The next day we all found out at different times and places were we had met and the friendship has grown since.  Anyway, as we were leaving the Baja, they asked us to their home in Gresham (Suburb of Portland) if we were to get anywhere close by.  Well today we did.  They live and work out of this most beautiful turn of the century home.  You know, the two story home, wrap-around front porch, acreage, a beautiful stream running through the treed side yard, and all the “photo sets” that any studio photographer would die for.   This place is beautiful !!! 

Pulling the coach and toad down the drive and around the back was a little tight.  The drive was built for cars, not motor homes.  Once we made it back there, we found a 4 or 5 car garage and were told to back up to the doors of the first two.  With Ricardo’s help and a couple more minutes to set up, we were out and giving hugs all around…it was great to be here and great to see them again.  Saturday morning all four of us jumped into Ricardo’s Black Suburban and headed to the Saturday Market in Portland.  This is the largest market in Oregon.  I’m not sure just how much we saw, but I do know that there was a whole lot more to see…it would take a week to see it all.  When visiting the larger towns there is a good chance that we can find Costco and Trader Joe’s.  With a little bribe to the driver, we were able to find both of them and then fill our refrig and pantry with all the goodies we found. Then it was back to their home and get ready for dinner and a lesson on how to play their new Wii.   Sunday morning we went to the Central Café for brunch.  It’s been a long time since Louise and I have had such a good brunch, but maybe the 2 Bloody-Mary’s that I had, had something to do with it…

Monday morning we drove down to Salem to see my Aunt Neola.  She had been living in Salem as long as I can remember.  At 92 and still living on her own, I can see why she loves this area so much.  She is using their senior transportation system to the hilt.  A phone call brings a small bus right to her door so that she can go to the grocery store, doctor’s office, or just about anywhere she wants for a couple dollars.  It has been a few years since I’ve seen Neola and she hasn’t changed a bit…still looking great !!! 

3 August ‘07

Friday

These 3 days went by FAST…  Its not that we ran around a lot, but just the opposite, we just took it easy and enjoyed each others company.  Danni and Con have a great “second” home here in Illwaco and it was easy to relax and enjoy the day without having to meet any time requirements, and besides, the weather wasn’t the best for running around.  We did take a couple of hours and walk the streets of Long Beach.  We did that after we enjoyed a “breakfast” of sweet rolls at the Long Beach Bakery…what else do you do after downing all of those high calorie treats ??? 

Thanks for having us again Eversons…  we will be back !!!

31 July ‘07

Tuesday

We really enjoyed our stay with Leroy and Claudia and congratulate them on the beautiful new home that they have built for themselves in Long Beach.  Saying goodbye to them this morning was just like the many times in the past that we have said the same words to them.  It’s always great to see good friends and always sad to say “adieux” (sp?). 

Now we move 4 miles down the road to Ilwaco and pull the coach into the yard of my sister and brother-n-law, Danni and Con Everson. Last year when we visited with them we left the coach in Seattle for some warrantee work, but this year we have come complete with coach and toad…ready or not…  To give you a little reminder of their place it is located in a “Full Timers RV Court” with most of the rigs staying here either semi-permanently or permanently.  Theirs is permanent and sits on a great corner lot making up 2 lots in one.  It’s really done very well and I can see why they like it so much.  They are great hosts and have made us feel very welcome, brother or not. 

It is always great to get together with family and Louise and I have 2 great families to get together with.  The only problem we have is also one of the advantages…Louise and I are on the road so much that we only have a chance to see most of them once every or every other year if we’re lucky.  We’re looking forward to these next 3 days.

29 July ‘07

Sunday

The Long Beach Rodeo is in town this weekend and the four of us (Claudia, Louise, Leroy, and I ) were looking forward to attending.  Just about noon we arrived to see the young queens and their courts swinging their mounts through their paces with flags flying high.  This rodeo is just that, there are no carnival rides and just a few tents set up to offer you those many tempting food and drink items, but that’s OK.  The rodeo was what we came to see and rodeo we saw !!!  The pageantry at the beginning is always wonderful and especially when they present “Ole Glory”.  First on tap was the calf roping, followed by the barrel racing, team roping, bronc busting, and finally bull riding.  Lots of excitement from some very talented young adults.  I must admit, I would never have made it as a “cow boy”…it’s too tough and you can really get hurt doing that crazy stuff.  One of the crowd pleasers was when they brought in the very young on their horses to do their rendition of barrel racing…what a treat !!!  Some were as young as 3 years old (the horse being led around the barrels by mom) and others as old as 12. 

After dinner each night that we were with Leroy and Claudia we played -----.  It’s a card game that they taught us the first night we arrived.  We did have a blast, and I must admit we (the guys) beat the pants off the gals.  It wasn’t that they were inferior at playing cards but it was most likely that we just wanted “The Win” more !!! 

28 July ‘07

Saturday

The Hogs Have Arrived…  Ocean Shores is hosting the 2007 Harley Davidson Ocean Shores Run and the town is filling up with “Hogs”.  Yesterday we ran into town to watch the town and vendors get all set up.  Fact is, they even had some great entertainment for those of us that wanted to get an early start.  We’ve seen them on TV before but this is the first time that we’ve watched the flying bicycles in person.  It’s amazing how these young men and women get these little stunt bicycles flying so high into the air and then go into some twists and turns, release of the handle bars, or just lay out flat as they fly through the air.  It was very entertaining.   We looked into all the booths that were showing so many items related to motorcycling, and then there were the tattoo booths… In all the business that was conducted yesterday, the tattoo booths took in about 90 percent.  It was amazing.  Lou had set up for a haircut in the afternoon so we ran for lunch and then on to her appointment. 

Today (Saturday) we pulled up stakes and headed on down the coast to Long Beach.  Leroy and Claudia Ostrem offered their hospitality and a place to park the motor home.  It’s not always that we get such an invitation (actually we get a lot of them and wish we could get the time to take in all this great hospitality), so we were very happy to take it.  Last year when we were in the area, Leroy and Claudia were just about finished with the exterior construction and were starting with the interior.  Now it is finished and what a great job they have done.  Well I was going to show you a picture of a flying BMX bike, but i erased a lot of pictures from Ocean Shores...SORRY, but here instead and looking better than any-old BMX bike are Leroy and Claudia in their new home.