We left Hood State Park on Friday, July 26th and drove less than two hours to LePage Park in Rufus, Oregon. Most of that drive was on I-84 running parallel to the Columbia River, so we enjoyed the view (or at least Cindy did, since it was on her side of the road) as we drove.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition passed through the area where Lepage Park is located on their way to the Pacific coast. On October 21, 1805, Captain Clark noted of this place; “A verry cold wind from S.W. passed a bad rapid crouded with rocks difficult and crooked. A river falls in on Lar! Side. We named it Lepage’s river after Private Lepage one of our company. Purchased wood from nativs to cook our Dog meat and fish. Our bread wet molded & sowered. We made 33 miles to day.”
Lepage Park has a small RV camping area of only 22 sites. Ours was a pull-through site that was level asphalt with water and electric hookups on the banks of the John Day River, which branches off the nearby Columbia River. There was not much room between ANY of the sites and no trees for shade.
Stonehenge War Memorial
On Monday, July 29th we drove over to Rufus, Oregon for lunch at The Bulldog Diner before continuing across the Columbia River to Maryhill, Washington to see the Stonehenge War Memorial. Unlike the real Stonehenge, this one is not broken in pieces. This Stonehenge was the first monument in our country to military personnel who gave their lives in World War I. When Samuel Hill, a Quaker pacifist from Maryhill, Washington visited England during the 1914-1918 conflict, he saw Stonehenge. From that inspiration came this monument, which was completed and dedicated on May 30, 1929. Cindy has been to the real Stonehenge while I, poor wretch that I am, can only say that I have visited this copy.
Afterward we stoped at a local fruit stand and picked up some fresh peaches, blueberries and blackberries. Then we drove to nearby Goldendale, Washington to get hot fudge sundaes. Goldendale…I LOVE that name! Reminds me of towns in The Lord of the Rings books.
Back at the campsite a couple arrived in a nice Airstream trailer at the site in front of ours and promptly let their two dogs run loose into our campsite, harassing Bella. The guy and I had words and were nose to nose (granted I had to bend down for my nose to be level with his) before he decided it was best to take his dogs back inside his Airstream. I heard his wife yelling “I told you!” as he went back inside. I just don’t understand people who think the rules about keeping your dogs on a leash are not meant for them. We see it all the time. I don’t really care unless it impacts Bella, who does not like other dogs. If they bother her then it bothers me, simple as that.
Replacing Roof Trim
Wednesday, July 31st, I spent mid-morning until mid-afternoon on a ladder replacing the roof trim that blew off back in April. It had taken me some time to get the replacement roll of trim, then have a day that wasn’t windy, and the requisite time. This was that time. I installed the trim on each side, sealed each end with silicon and ran a beadline of silicon along the top seam connection. It was a hot, sweaty 94 degrees that day and my feet were aching afterward and the following day from all the hours on the ladder, but in the end it was nice to have that trim sealed back up.
On Thursday drove back into Goldendale to do laundry, had a nice meal of Sweet and Sour Chicken at a small Chinese restaurant. Grabbed a photo of the local sheriff’s message to drug dealers in his county (see album) and took photos and videos of the huge wind turbines that dot the beautiful fields of Goldendale.
Friday Cindy and I finished the first season of “Only Murders in the Building.” When we started we watched the first 3 episodes and though I am a fan of both Steve Martin and Martin Short, I was not impressed. Three episodes is usually what I give a series to interest me. I was ready to move to something else but Cindy’s daughter assured us it would get better so we stuck with it and I’m glad we did. We ended up enjoying the first season and plan to start the second season soon.
Saturday we drove back to Goldendale to check out their Farmers Market. Very small (only 6 vendors) but we bought Cindy a new cutting board, some produce (including a $10(!!!) watermelon because it was, after all, National Watermelon Day) before we left. Then it was on to the Goldendale Observatory which was, of course, closed during the day. But we enjoyed walking around the outside of the facility by ourselves and seeing the view of Mt. Hood from the top of the hill where the observatory sits.
Sunday was NOT a day of rest. We spent the morning cleaning the windows inside and out. It’s amazing how much better the view became, lol! The rest of the day was spent getting ready to leave the next day for our next stop.
Thanks for following The Wandering Wetheringtons.
To cook our WHAT meat?? Ugh lol..
I know, was surprised to read that. But I also read recently that in the 40’s and 50’s people would put their dogs to sleep so they could go on vacation without paying kennel fees, so…