Hood River – The Playground of the Gorge

The next morning John and Lynda gathered in the garage to see what Lynda wanted to take to Hood River by way of windsurfing equipment. Ted was the one who used to rig a sail and send Lynda out first then assemble his gear. Now Lynda had to make these decisions. She selected her favorite 8.6 glass board and boom. The masts were in the mast sleeve in the trailer which John put next to the Rocket Box. Now Lynda just needed to gather her wet suites, booties, and harness and she was ready to go. She put these in a bag and left to pick up the kids in East Wenatchee while John and I got the rest of our things. Soon the kids were ready and Oreo quickly placed himself in the center seat showing that he was ready to go. Lynda and Ted had made the trip to Hood River often when they first got married and she was quite familiar with the roads. So we told her that we would follow her with our heavier load. Several times during the trip we went over to the side and let the large trucks go by so we quickly lost sight of Lynda's red Pathfinder. She tried to keep us in her sights, and would stop and wait on crucial turns where we might get lost.

We finally got to Hood River but had to by-pass it and go on to Cascade Locks where we were planning to stay for our trip. Our friend Kane insisted that we stay with him instead, so we took him up on it but we would stay in Cascade Locks for at least one night since it was already paid for. It turned out to be a beautiful day and not cold and drizzly as it usually is. We found our campsite in a corner of the tent sights and began to put our tents together. Jake and Berkeley helped Lynda put things together and find their sleeping bags. Then they played a game of hide and seek by getting into their bags. Lynda and I pretended to look everywhere for them. Finally, Lynda swooped down on top of them and started to tickle them through their bags. When all the giggling stopped, we got a chance to take Oreo for a walk in the trails around the campground. By the time we got back the kids were hungry, so I took out my little burner and Jake and I got it going and started boiling water for noodles. The plan was to have noodles and chicken with crackers and a fruit bar. The meal was satisfying and well received and after clean-up it was time for bed.

Soon everything was quiet in our tents, but since this was the fourth of July weekend, we heard more and more people come and start setting up their camps and lighting fires. The group behind us was exceptionally noisy telling stories and laughing. Finally, at three in the morning, John had to get up the tell them to be quiet. I listened from my bed and waited for the confrontation. Oh my, I didn't want to lose my driver! John began, "Hi guys, houz it goin'?" "Ah… good." "Well, when are you going to bed?" asked John. "Oh," they replied, "as soon as this log goes out." He says this as he threw another log on the fire. John then returned to our tent and said in a whisper, "Did you see how big those guys are? Man, they were big and drunk. Man I'm not messing around with them!" After that, they seemed to get the picture and they whispered in muted tones as we drifted off to sleep only to be fully awakened by the train that seemed to roll right over us all the while tooting his horn. After the rumbling engine faded, the camp was again quiet and we slept until the sun streamed through the branches of the great pines and the birds began to sing.

Posing at Multnomah Falls

Jake, Berdeley and Oreo find a hollow tree

Next morning to celebrate the Fourth of July, the campground staff placed little American flags all over the campground for the children to find. They would be given a treat for each flag they brought in. Jake and Berkeley were the first ones up and they dashed out looking for flags. By eight in the morning they had gathered a huge bunch of flags and brought them in to the astonishment of the camp owners. Jake and Berkeley got their candy and offered to re- hide the flags of the other kids. The lady said, "No thanks," and took the flags. After a pancake breakfast we were ready to put our tents down and get ready to go.

We decided to take in a hike at Multnomah Falls that was near the camp. The Watlala or Cascade Indians inhabited this area until the treaty of 1857 when they were removed to the Grand Ronde Indian Reservation. The Indians ceded their lands to the U. S. Government. The Watlala were highly skilled traders. They would charge a portage fee over the Cascade Falls which were impossible to cross. So they would have traders trade goods to use their land for portage. They fished for salmon, sturgeon, trout and they also hunt for deer. They named the falls Multnomah meaning, "close to the water." It is the second tallest waterfall in the U.S.

We got to the falls about noon and there were many cars so it was hard to find a parking place on the road. After a lot of drive-throughs, we both found spots and got our water bottles and cameras and joined the swarm of people going up the trail. Berkeley took the leash and Oreo took off and we all followed. We climbed up to the first level to the Benson Footbridge and took a bunch of pictures that are sure to make the Christmas photo. We continued climbing finding interesting places to pose. As the trail got steeper, we started counting the switch backs. By the time we got up to the top we counted eleven. At the top of the falls we looked down, and it was exhilarating to see the water lazily go over and then explode into white water sending a veil of steam into the air as the water fell 542 feet below. We backed up to the stream that fed the falls and touched the cool water. The water comes from underground springs in the Larch Mountain and is added to by spring runoff from the snow pack as well as rain water. Oreo especially liked taking a long drink and we were able to refill our water bottles. Now it was time to go down. Oreo, Berkeley and Lynda disappeared down the slope followed by Jake. John also ran down the trail dodging people as he went, and I went down a bit slower since I wanted to save my toes by going sideward and them flipping to the other side for a few steps and on and on. When we reached the bottom Lynda and the kids were already snacking and didn't seem out of breath at all. We all finished the day with ice creams and ice cones.

We made our way to Kane Roland's house after getting some groceries and arrived about three in the afternoon and found him comfortably watching the Tour de France. He offered his spare room upstairs and his Casita trailer for us to sleep. Lynda was into camping, so she said she and the kids would sleep in their tent in the back yard, and John and I chose to sleep in the Casita to see what it was like. We got our luggage organized and Lynda got her tent down then we joined Kane for a light meal. Kane bought out his classic miniature fit-the-parts-roadster car and Jake went to town putting it together. Kane, being into biking got to talking with Lynda and they were happily making plans for tomorrow's ride. They knew friends in town that would join then in morning rides so it was set that early morning would be ride time. Finally, Kane suggested that we all could take a ride on the Old Columbia Highway that is now only for bikes and pedestrians. So with that thought in mind we decided to bed down in our new surroundings. At least there wouldn't be trains storming near-by.

The next day Lynda and Kane joined a friend and went riding early in the morning. When we got up the children were being entertained by Mom's IPAD full of games, films, and cartoons. We had breakfast and worked on our trip itinerary until Lynda and Kane got home about nine. Kane had clients that day in his kayak business called Gorge Paddling business and so he would not be able to join us for the bike trip. We were excited and got our gear together as did Lynda and the Kids. We had to leave Oreo behind as it would have been too difficult to control our bikes and him on this trip. He did not understand this of course so he didn't know why we placed him the back yard and closed the door. We left through the front door and got into our cars and sped away to the entrance of the Columbia Road Highway. The parking lot was full of cars and some people walked the trail and others rode. We got our bikes down and set off up the hill. All our bikes had gears except Berkeley's so we had to make sure that we were close to her especially on the up hills. Gears or no gears, however, she was pressed to catch up with Jake who was leading the pack. No matter how hard she pushed her legs even riding out of the saddle, she could not catch Jake and he of course was in his own world moving to his own drummer. Meanwhile, we were enjoying the beautiful scenery and taking our time on this lovely Sunday morning. Up ahead we kept hearing Berkeley's voice calling for Jake to stop. Finally, she was not able to go any farther and she drove her bike into the ditch. Jake turned around and rode back to see what was happening. He consented to let her take the lead, and we were off again letting her have a head start. With sheer determination she pumped her little legs as hard as she could and took off. We went back to following checking the sights and getting used to riding again.

Berkeley on the  Dirty Fingers Bike with new pedals

Near the top of the hill Lynda and the kids walked part of the rise and John and I wanted to test our gears and sped up to the top. There, we left our bikes by a tree and walked down to the look out to see the windsurfers below. This was the spot near Mosier called Rock Creek that is a great place to windsurf because there is a wide bay and the scenery is beautiful looking toward Hood River. We could see several windsurfers flying across the water and it reminded us why we had come. For about ten years starting in 1988 we had made this area our home for the summer. Not only had we spent joyous times on the river, but nurtured many friendships that have continued throughout the years. So returning was like coming home again. We enjoyed watching the windsurfers and we were soon joined by Lynda, Jake and Berkeley.

It was now time to finish the ride which was mostly downhill. Just as we were ready to ride we met with Galen's husband, Jeb and two young sons Lars, Boden. Galen and Jeb are doctors in Wenatchee who are staying at her brother's cabin for the weekend. Galen was riding all the way to Mosier and the trip on the highway would be too difficult and dangerous for the two boys. Lars said that we would probably meet up with Galen on her way back. He also reminded us about the two tunnels that would be fun to go through. So we were eager to get going. We told Lynda that we would take Jake and go ahead and meet at the end of the trail. So we took off and flew down the hill with Jake at the lead. We were going with the wind so it was exhilarating going with little effort. We flew through the tunnels and rode to the end of the trail where we waited for Lynda and Berkeley. It wasn't long before we saw Lynda and Berkeley flying toward us with happy smiles. As we waited to figure out if we wanted to risk the ride to go down to Mosier, Galen sped up the hill. She said it would be rough for the kids and there really wasn't much there to see. So we decided to go back up hill into the wind.

We again said that we would go on ahead with Jake and Lynda would have to walk up the hill with Berkeley. I could see that she would really like the challenge of riding, but she had already had a tough ride early in the morning and bonding with Berkeley was just as important in the long run. So the three of us pumped our legs hard, and we pushed against the wind all the way up the hill. We stayed together most of the way and sometimes we let Jake go on ahead and we would catch up. On one of these occasions we saw Jake get off his bike and place it against the white retaining fence. Suddenly, he was screaming and running all about. We went to him and he said that he was stung by a bee on his cheek. Just then another biker who happened to be a doctor said, "Here is some ice to take the swelling down." This compress seemed to help a little but Jake still felt the sting. We looked over to see where his bike was, and about five yards away was a hornet's nest as large as a loaf of bread. It was white and hanging on the white fence it was difficult to see. There were a few hornets buzzing around and John went carefully and got Jake's bike. The doctor gave us a few more ice cubes then left down the path. Soon Berkeley and Lynda came up and we told them about the sting. Lynda said, "Mud. We need to make a compress of mud." So John got some dirt and I poured a few drops of water and made a mud compress to put on Jakes cheek. That seemed to work. He now looked like a road warrior. With a war cry, we all got on our bikes and make it to the bottom without a stop. I'm sure this old highway has seen many things happen on its trail since the days when old stage coaches rolled on its path, now that times are a changing, happenings like ours are sure to add to its character.

Monday was the Fourth of July. Kane and Lynda went to do a ride early in the morning and when they returned we planned to ride to the parade down town. When Jake was only one year old Lynda and Ted pushed Jake in a carriage all nine miles on the Fourth of July run from Odell to Hood River. Now Jake was nine and we were planning to ride our bikes to see the last runners come in and the floats and horses! We had a light breakfast and got ourselves ready for our drive. Kane led the way as we all got on our bikes and rode toward the parade route. We got there, parked our bikes and found a good spot to view the floats. It was more like an advertising parade for business around town. We thought it would have been fun to advertise Kane's business by using his trailer full of kayaks and we would sit in the kayaks and throw candy. That will be something to think about for the future. Now the kids were all running for candy that was being thrown by floats. I was looking for the marching band from the high school but I think they were at the beginning of the parade, and we missed them. What we didn't miss were the horses which were ridden by handsomely dressed Caballeros. They were preceded by a Mariachi band and some stylish beautiful Fortlorico dancers in their full, colorful skirts. The Mexicans seemed to be the most culturally organized group in the parade. Many came here years ago to pick fruit and they have stayed and settled bringing a wonderful culture to mix with the Anglo and Native American.

If the helmets fit, wear them!

At the end of the parade we all got on our bikes and followed Kane to Dirty Fingers, the bicycle repair shop which is next to a coffee brewing nook. Lynda wanted to get new pedals for Berkeley's bike as one was demolished and only had a rod where the pedal was to be. While her bike was being repaired, Berkeley proceeded to gather as many Dirty Finger stickers as she could find to put on her bike. Then she went over to see if she could find some biking gloves that would fit. While she was at the counter, she and Jake tried on some racing helmets. I simply had to take their picture! When the bike was done, it was taken outside and placed on the rack. Berkeley followed and proceeded to slap on her decals. Kane came over to help find best places for the stickers to go. Soon the bike was full of Dirty Finger decal and forever more will be called The Dirty Finger Bike. After going next door and smelling coffee beans from all over the world, Kane chose to buy a specialty bag for his morning coffee and we were on our way playing follow the leader all the way back to Kane's house.

That afternoon Kane was planning to go to look for Morrel mushrooms with his friend Tamara who predicts the weather for the Gorge on her web site: thegorgeismygym. Morrel mushrooms are edible mushrooms that look like a brain on top of a Popsicle stick. Kane has a special place where he looks and it is to be kept a secret from other mushroom hunters. He hopes he can find some and prepare some for us this evening.

We felt the need to rig and get out in the water, so we make our way to the event center to have a go at windsurfing. The first step was getting the boards, sails, booms, and other gear out to the lawn to begin rigging. Since we had to rig three sails, we had stuff all over the place. We found half way through that a sail would only use a particular mast. We had our little mast stolen and so we had to adapt the extension of the sail. Next was the boom problem. They had not been used for a while so it was hard to slide them to fit the sail. A lady on the beach said she uses a bit of salad oil as a lubricant and it works. We didn't have any lubricant so I went to the Snack Shack and got a bit of bacon grease in a tiny cup and applied it to the boom extensions and it worked. An hour and half later we had one sail ready and Lynda out for a trial run. She looked great and even made a jibe. Next was John out there with his green helmet. He looked like he was having a great time. I spent some time with the kids treating them to hot dogs and playing Mr. Potato Man at the snack booth. Then it was my turn to go out. Getting out was not a problem, but staying out there with kite boarders all around made me nervous. I also had some complications with the extra long downhaul and it sure was getting cold in the water! Boy I was such a baby. Then I concentrated on just getting in. That was enough for the first day so we de rigged and got everything piled up near the curb. John brought the Moby Dick around and we loaded her down with all our stuff.

Lynda coming in for a landing

Fixing Mr. Potato Head



John is somewhere out there!



The event center has always been a place to connect with other windsurfers and today was no exception. After we put away all our windsurfing stuf,f we noticed a large group having a potlatch get-together. There we met up with Bud and Vel Budworth, Jerry-lyn, and Dave Fraiser, They were just finishing up and were gathering the kids for a piñata party. So we gathered Jake and Berkeley and lined them up with the rest of the kids. Vel and Jerry-lyn were in charge. Vel was in charge of lining up the kids and since this wast the ten and under group, she had her hands full. Jerry-lyn was handling the piñata, She got the tallest windsurfer she could find, and gave him a mast. Then she stung the piñata on it and had the holder practice bobbing it up and down. He found someone else to help him, and they worked out a system that had the piñata dancing up and down bobbing here and there. At this rate, I had the feeling we might be here a while. Then Jerry-lyn got a long stick and gave it to the first kid. He swung with such gusto that he did a pirouette and almost hit Jerry-lyn on the back side. Meanwhile, the piñata was dancing freely all about. Finally, towards the end of the line, it was Jake's turn. He was determined to smash it. Before he was given the stick, however, he had to be blind folded. Now he had to depend on his ears. He was handed the stick and barely grazed it. He swung again and it was a clear miss. Finally, the next kid hit it with a down swing that knocked one of the arms off and a few candies dropped out. That was all that was needed as the kids swarmed the candies and the men made the piñata jump around rain goodie on the children. There was now a swarm of kids searching for candy in the grass like a swarm of bees in a hive. Finally, a boy squirmed out of the bottom of the about pile and said holding out his hands, "There are mainly peanuts with shells!" Oh well, you can't please them all!

Vel looks on as JEry-lyn gets ready to tie on a blind fold.



Jake winds up to take a mighty blow!



The next day the wind prediction was to be extra high winds and the best windsurfing was to be east toward Rowena and Roosevelt. So John and I planned to go searching for a wide steady board that we hoped to buy and take home to Sarasota where there are light winds most of the year. We went to Windance and checked out a board for $800 with 128 liters of floatation and the length was about 9 feet. Then we went to Big Winds and found one that was used for teaching that they were willing to sell for $400 that had about 120 liters of floatation and was about 8 feet in length and 30 inches in width. That was more like it, as it wouldn't break the bank and I could have some fun using it. I had the clerk fix the straps so they were in a better place for me and screw in the fin. Then we were ready to try it out. We slipped the board in through the back so it was easy to take out.

Just as we were leaving we heard our names called and turned in the parking lot to find an old friend that we met in Baja at a windsurfing camp in the early 1990s and repeatedly at the Gorge. Ron and Barbara were teachers near Sacramento, California and were hooked on windsurfing like we were. They always took their skills to the Sacramento River Delta and then came to the Gorge to learn new ones. One year Kane organized a down winder from Mercury Cove to Roosevelt and Ron wanted to join us. I was a designated driver and photographer so I followed the riders by land stopping from time to time to see where they were at every turn. At one time one rider stopped another stopped to help then they moved on. From where I was they were specks on the water but I knew something happened down there. It wasn't until we all met at Roosevelt that I found out that Ron had lost his contact lenses in his eyes, and he could only see colors. It was then that Kane came to his help, and told him to follow the red sail. So that's what he did and managed to finish the ride. Now here was Ron twenty years later recalling that same incident. This is very typical of the Gorge.

To try out our board we went out to the Marina which was less populated and shallow for a greater distance. Back in 1989 when we started coming to the Gorge, the Marina was where everyone launched and they even had the windsurfing races there with risers so everyone could watch. Now that they built the Event Center, the Marina is used mainly for teaching. So this was fine with us. We thought this would be a great opportunity for us to have Berkeley and Jake use the board for balance practice. So we rigged a small sail and John went out first to try it out. I could see that it was pretty steady and he was able to jibe it and get back. Then Lynda went out and she did great and even got a water start and came back in. I was too cold and I didn't want to catch a cold so I opted to let everyone else have fun with the Baby Moby Dick. Jake was the first to get on and then Berkeley joined him in tandum as Lynda and John pushed them back and forth. John taught Jake how to give the signal once he was us and then Berkeley got up on his signal. It worked great, and they went back and forth getting better at each turn.

The next day was to be a hot one and little to no wind was in store. Many who had gone east the day before were thankful for a day off to nurse any wounds. We decided to take the kids to the tennis courts and play with our new soft tennis balls that are now being used for teaching children. We gathered our tennis rackets and swim suits for pool fun after the tennis hit-along. Jake did well but hit two balls over the fence. They would have been home runs in T-ball but this was tennis and we only needed to get the ball over the net. Once he got the picture, everything went well. Then Berkeley wanted to try but only with Jake's racket. So we hit softies to her and she was getting it with some balls connecting and others that were clear misses, Lynda got back so we kept the rhythm going. After a while everyone was getting tired of chasing balls and we called it quits because of the heat. Now it was time for the pool.

The public pool in Hood River is great because there are so many parts to have lots of activities going at the same time. Jake and Berkeley went directly to the rope swing. They stand on a platform when it is their turn and the lifeguard hands the rope and they swing to the middle of the pool and drop in. They never tire of this and when the lifeguard gives it a rest, the kids all go to the slide. So while the kids are occupied John, Lynda, and I have a chance to do laps in the Lap part of the pool. It turns into a lovely afternoon and by closing time at five we are cooled off and ready to go. To add to the perfect day we are treated by Kane who has cooked his fabulous mushrooms for us.

Jake, Berkeley, John and Lynda play with a log in the frigid waters of the Columbia

Farewells are always difficult at the end of the summer but in our case it was only at the end of a week. Bud and Vel insisted that we have a get together with all our friends and that it should be a picnic at the new Waterside Park which was the new park built adjacent to the Event Center. The city wanted to create a park for families and they added wonderful attractions for kids like a climbing wall, rhythm drums and keys, and climbing and turning apparatus. They also created a beach area that swimmers can use without being in the way of windsurfers. John, Lynda, Jake and Berkeley risked the frigid water and had a great time with a floating log. So Vel thought the site would be perfect. Everyone was to bring a dish to share and bring your own drinks. We were due to leave on Friday morning so Thursday late afternoon was to be the time. I found a lady who makes Argentinian empanadas, so I ordered some for everyone to try. Kane found a great bean recipe that he put in crock pot and that was a hit with everyone. We had plenty of salads, deserts, casserole , and breads.

We were so pleased to see many of our friends come by and enjoy a meal and find out what is going on in their world. Ron and Barbara stopped by and said hello as they had another engagement. Ron used to be quite the runner but he has had knee replacement and has cut back on his running. He and Barbara were in San Padre Island in the spring learning kite boarding. Dave and Betsy Fraiser came and Betsy stayed until she had to go to band rehearsal where she plays the flute. Larry, Elizabeth, Sawyer, and Annie came and brought a friend of Elizabeths. We learned they were planning to sell their home in Carson and buy one in Corvalis. Of course Bud and Vel were our hosts getting things organized. They built a home in Las Ventanas, Mexico along with other people from the Gorge and now there is a community in Baja that goes south for the winter. Signe Tenser surprised us half way into our eating frenzy and brought some great potato salad. Signe and her husband had lived in a trailer above us for years every summer at the American Adventure Campground in Mosier. We also ran into them at various windsurfing vacation destinations since. Their daughter worked for a local shop and met Chris and bought a home where Signe is living now when she is at the Gorge. She and her husband live in Seattle so it is not so far to come even for a week end. It didn't take long for the children to eat and as soon as they were done they went to play in the playground. It didn't take long for us to wrap everything up either as it was getting quite chilly. We decided to meet at the new Art Center where local musicians were playing. They had asked sawyer to come and play with them. Sawyer is twelve and has already mastered the violin playing mostly bluegrass. It was a treat to see him perform especially among the veteran musicians in the group.

For our farewell dinner, Kane suggested we eat the Taqueria, a popular Mexican restaurant nearby. He suggested we all ride bikes, but John and I said we would take our can and meet them there. We got there first and got a table so when the bikers arrived we were already sitting waiting for them. The food was excellent and with a round of Margaritas we were feeling pretty good. We gave a toast to Kane for his hospitality as it made our trip pleasant. We all tried out our Spanish and learned a few phrases to sharpen our tongues. As the evening came it got a bit chilly and I was happy to gather warm clothing from our car for Jake and Berkeley. After dinner the bikers went next door for ice cream and John and I being full, left for home and some early packing.

The next day we got everything packed up by noon and we planned to leave first since Lynda had some errands to run. When we got near Wenatchee, we called her cell phone and we were surprised she was only about five minutes behind. She said the kids were exhausted and slept the whole distance. After unpacking we went for our last send off dinner to our favorite Italian restaurant. Everyone was in a great mood and we will take that feeling with us for the rest of the year.