Change in the Weather

Last week the temperature was in the 90's.  This week this have changed.  Yesterday morning I dug the heater out of the storage unit of the trailer and plugged it in.  Fall has definitely arrived.  Yesterday was cool with sprinkles.  Today was cool and showers.  No sunshine in sight.  Summer is over!

A Visit from Our Kids

    Friday night we had the pleasure of a visit from our kids.  Our eldest son, his wife, and two of cutest grand daughters ever came to our trailer for supper.  It was the first time since we arrived here at Fort Vancoouver in July that we had the whole family as visitors.  The time was short but very fun.  I enjoyed a long walk and some exercise on the playground with little e.  Big E and I learned that salmon is delicious on the grill if you can figure out the right temperature to grill it. R and I learned from Little G about the experience of going to summer camp; where you sleep, what you eat, and even enjoyed a camp song.  It was obvious that camp was a sure-fire winner.
   The time ending too quickly, but was much enjoyed.

911

I knew what day it was when I woke up yesterday, but it did not really hit me until I put up the flag at the visitor center.  As I raised Old Glory all the way to the top of the pole and then back to Half-Staff I remembered that morning ten years ago.

 How it changed our lives and the world.

Old Friends

Some old friends are treasures that have been buriedand are waiting to be discovered again.

After Labor Day

   Yesterday was Labor Day.  It was a very nice warm sunny day.  Because it was Monday it was a regular workday for us.  I worked at the VC in the morning and then when R showed up, I went down to the fort.  I spent the afternoon at the ITC (Indian Trade Center) where the Native Americans came to trade their furs for goods.  They could bring in other items for trade, such as woven baskets, moccasins, wild animal meat, but the main emphasis was on furs, especially beaver pelts.  I was busy all afternoon which was fun.

   It also means that, as far as the park is concerned, summer is over.  Even though the forecast is for clear skies and temps into the 90's, the summer season has ended.  School and school related activites become paramount.  Here at the park, the two-a-day ranger programs have ceased.  The number of familes visiting the fort has dwindled to zero or close to it.  (we will have to wait and see about weekends)  It kinda sad.  The bright lights in this gloom are the special events that tha fort has planned for the next months.

   The first event is called "Campfires and Candlelight"  It happens on Sat. Sept 17th.  The Visitor Center is open its regular hours fo 9-5, but the fort doesn't open until 5.  At 4pm visitors start the event over near Pearson Air Museum.  Through a series of stops along a path, each one a representation of the certain time, like WWI, the Civil War, the Oregon Trail,  the visitors go back in time ending up at the gate of the fort in Sept, 1846.  The fort will be staffed with volunteers all in costume representing the people who would have been in the fort that evening.  It should be great fun and unbelievably, a free event.

   Other upcoming events are ;
 
Evening Lantern Tours  Oct 1 & 15, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3 & 17
Tales of the Engage's     Oct 8 & 22
Spirits of Oregon City     Oct 22 at the McLoughlin House
Heritage Holidays            Dec 3 at McLoughlin House
Christmas at Fort Vancouver  Dec 10
Cultural Demos               Second Sat. of the month Sept- Nov.  at McLoughlin House

so there is some life here at Fort Vancouver.

Back to Goldendale

Thursday we drove up the Columbia Gorge.  We drove past Multnomah Falls, past Hood River, saw smoke rising as we approached The Dalles, drove through the smoke as we got close to TheDalles.  As we exited I-84 to visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, we noticed that the west-bound Interstate was closed, to allow fire fighting equipment more room to fight the grass fire that was right next to the highway. 
   The museum was very interesting, well worth the $7 admission fee.  ($6 for seniors)  The is a theater showing several videos on the history and ecology of the area.  Three separate areas highlight different themes.  As we entered we stopped to enjoy a rapter program conducted by a volunteer.  I learned many new things about the great horned owl and red-tailed hawk.
  After several hours we left the museum and noticed that the smoke was gone, but the west bound traffic was still being routed on Hwy 30, backing traffic up several miles because of the bottle neck.  We drove on east and then turned north on Hwy 97, crossing the Columbia River and up the hill through the fields of wind generator towers.  It is impossible to know, but I swear there are more now than last year.  The area looks the same, the town of Goldendale looks the same.  We checked into our motel, grabbed a short nap before driving downtown to "The Luau" for some terriaki chicken.  Yumm.
  Following a short drive around town, before going up the hill to the observatory.  At the observatory gate we were exposed to the new Washington State Park user fee.  There now is a $10 fee to visit Washington State Parks.  Oregon's fee is $5.  
   Steve, the park's only employee, was surprised to see us, but we got a big smile from him anyway.
After everyone at the gate was checked in, we were allowed into the parking are and the program began.  Actually a few minutes after we all sat down in the auditorium, we found out that the ISS, the International Space Station, was passing over soon and so we went back outside to view it.  It showed up, as promised, right where it was supposed to be.  After the passage, it was back inside for the program.  Steve did introduce us as past volunteers to the rest of the group.  After the Power Point program we ajourned to the telescope room for the evening viewing.   Things haven't changed there.  The asrrangement that I put up in the display case is as it weas when we left.  It was fun being a tourist for a change.  

Moving

Should I move?  My boys think that it is time for us to move to the Portland area.   We are comfortable in our home in Eugene, but our kids think we would be closer to our grandkids and a lot of our old friends if we moved up to the big city.  There are many advantages and disadvantages to moving. 
   We like Eugene.  It has all the needed things; shopping, hospitals, a swimming/excercise facilities.  Our home is paid for.  So why would we want to move?  To be closer to friends and family?  There are several old friends who live in the Porltand area.  It wohld be fun to be more frequent visitors with them. 
Living in the Portland area would put us closer to our grandchildren which is good.  However, they have their own lives and finding time for us seems to be difficult.  We have been here in Portland for more than two months and they have yet come to see where we are parked. 
  In the old days families used to call to talk, to tell one another about their day.  They used to call when they got home from vacation, or from a trip, to share experiences.  Or they would call just to say "Hi".
  Now you have to look at their blogs or facebook pages to find out what is going on in their lives.  I guess that is the new society.  I kinda liked the old one.

  So should we move?  We have to think about what WE want to do and what is best for US and not listen to others.