Grandson Arrives

I picked up my grandson Eric at the Portland International Airport at 3:15 Sunday afternoon. It sure was great seeing him and was really pleased he could spend some time with his Ole Grandfather to get an idea how I live. We stopped for dinner in Estacada at the Cazadero Restaurant where we had a great view of the Clackasmas River.

Then headed to the grocery store to pick up a few items for his breakfast and lunches. Then it was 31 miles to get back to the campground. He couldn’t believe the beautiful scenery that Oregon has. Eric is from Fort Worth where there are no hills let alone mountains, just flat land. So it was very different for him.

Old Log Cabin

The next morning after breakfast we took a drive to an old log cabin further up from the dam. I am not sure when this cabin was built but it was really falling apart. It appears someone was living there during the rainy season as it is covered with huge tarps. There was also lots of trash around the area. Maybe it was a old trappers cabin.

Long ride on a Dusty Road

Then I found a gravel road that kept going up and up. It soon turned into a one lane road with lots of growth. I don’t think this road had been traveled in some time.

I got these pics part way up on our adventure to the top at about 4100 feet. What a view!

Getting acquainted with Chica

Here are some pics of Eric getting to know Chica. What is funny is that he has a Chihuahua named Chico. How ironic!

Timothy Lake

On our final day I drove over to Timothy Lake. This pic was taken in the Hoodview Day Use area with Mt Hood in the background.

I also showed him the Pacific Crest Trail.

Past Mt Hood to the airport

Then we drove north on Hwy 26 and showed him some close-ups of Mt Hood. He took some pics while I did the driving. We stopped in Sandy, OR for lunch and then dropped him off at the airport.

It was a short but great time with my grandson. Now he knows how Grandpa lives. HA! I think he enjoyed himself and I invited him to come back next summer as I plan on being here then as well.

 Visit from Friends

Last Tuesday my friends Marti and Charlie stopped in for a couple of days. It was really good to see them and catch up on what they were doing since I last saw them last year in Washington. We took a walk up to the log cabin I had shown my grandson.

White Water Rafting

The next day Charlie and I went on a white water rafting trip down the Clackamas River.  I was able to reserve two spots on one of the rafts.  It was a very exciting trip.  Charlie had gone on another rafting trip, but it was my first time.  The rapids look much bigger when you are in them as compared to seeing them from the road.

I brought along my Go-Pro camera and was able to get great videos.  We were in a five man raft including our guide who was very knowledgable about the area.  Charlie was directly in back of me and the guy you see was with his wife.

It was a lot of fun, but very wet.