Our day started out with bad news. The first was when I turned my computer on and read on yahoo that Elizabeth Taylor had died. Jorge was cleaning the bathrooms at this time and I knew what he'd be thinking as soon as I told him - "Life with Father" - his favorite movie with her in it, and although a small part but super well acted part. Mine would be "Father's Little Dividend" again a small part but one that any American girl could put herself in. Our Prayers go out to her family and her fans...
Then came even sadder news that came in the form of an email. My poor friend reported that a past tenant of the Rufus RV Park, Mike Bottom passed away (this is the gentlemen who was pulled out of fire when his rig caught on fire almost 2 months ago) last night, and to add injury a family member of hers had a major heart attack in which she received the call first thing this morning. And so as you can imagine tears and much sadness lays on her heart. A complete wreck and needing to escape and recap her memories both good and bad of a friend passing and a family member beyond ill. She invited us to hit the falls. In honor of both these very important people in her life. So much love... A true honor to call a friend.
And so a hug was exchanged and in the car we went. We listen to some sad, funny, loving and everything else stories as she unloads her past and present memories. Still as we sit here now we wish there was something more we could do to make them feel better. Time and hugs my husband says - time and hugs...
So we headed for Horsetail Falls (Oregon) and just as we get there, the sun decides to disappear. So the photos are not super great but still tells a heck of a story. There are actually two waterfalls along the creek. The upper falls, called Upper Horsetail Falls or Ponytail Falls, can be accessed from a footpath located next to the historic Columbia River Highway. We didn't go all the way up but as far as the bridge. A sad day with beauty all around us that makes us smile for a moment for our blessings of our stories of life.
So before I get to the pictures - this blog article is dedicated to my friends the managers of Rufus RV Park and to their family. And to Mike Bottom who is now out of pain and now in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jorge and I never got the chance to meet Mike but just walking through the RV park you knew he was very liked and loved and would do anything for anyone. I do understand he has family in Florida and our prayers go out to his family as it does for our friends family. I am asking all of our readers to add our friends to their prayers.
Today I will not be posting a QUESTION OF THE DAY but ask that you leave comments for the Rufus RV Managers and for Mike Bottom.
Jorge and I would like to personally say we are so sorry for all loss today and that they may feel the power of prayer going out just for them. We want them to know if there is anything we can do - we are there in heart beat. God Bless ALL!!
Today went by in a blink of an eye. I helped Jorge clean a beautiful cabin which I bullied the cleaning - just like the old days. We where so glad to be able to help out and get a good work out which is always a great plus. Then we had a home cooked meal of sweet and sour beans with a load of bacon in it - OMG good and we thank you for inviting us. And now I am ready for bed but first we'll watch Night at the Museum lol again.
Today is about yesterday (I feel like that's a title of a good book)... Fun facts about this hidden quiet paradise. And that's just what this area is Paradise.
According to 2009 there where only 215 people living in Rufus and so just by my guessing and being almost 2 years later - I'd say a little over 300. Elevation is a 206 feet which is allowing me to breath once again (we lived above 3000 feet for over 2 years). I so feel like running/biking but gosh dang my hernia which is taking it's sweet time healing. The type of jobs fall in these fields, construction-metal industries-trucking transportation-food service-agriculture--- forestry--- fishing and hunting---wind mills service .....
The Columbia River Basin is North America's fourth largest, draining about 250,000 square miles and extending throughout the Pacific Northwest and into Canada. There are over 250 reservoirs and around 150 hydroelectric projects in the basin, including 18 dams on the Columbia and its main tributary, the Snake River.
-Windsurfing is especially challenging in the Columbia River’s unique wind and water conditions near Biggs and Rufus on I-84.
-The John Day Dam is near Rufus on the Columbia River with Giles French Park located just downstream from the dam.
-Sportsmen come from near and afar to hunt deer, pheasant, quail, chukar, ducks and geese in the fall and winter. Fishing on the Columbia, Deschutes and John Day Rivers is popular and seasonal.
Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery - The Columbia River
Starting in 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led the famous Corps of Discovery expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean and back, a journey that lasted two years. Since their instructions came from Thomas Jefferson in 1803, the Lewis and Clark bicentennial runs from 2003 through 2006.
Maryhill
Maryhill Museum of Art, Maryhill State Park & Peach Beach, Maryhill, WA on the north bank of the Columbia River - wind surfing, boating, RV & tent camping across the Columbia River from Biggs and Rufus. http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/
Giles French Park (say jiles)
Located on the downstream side of the John Day Dam on the banks of Lake Celilo, is popular for sturgeon, walleye and bass fishing, camping and boating. -U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
John Day Dam U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (541) 296-1181
John Day Dam, 216 miles upstream from the mouth of the Columbia River, is at the head of Lake Celilo. The Dam bridges the Columbia River near Rufus, Oregon, and can be reached via exit 109 off Interstate 84 East of The Dalles. Current Homeland Security does not allow visitor access to the any part of the facility.
The project consists of a navigation lock, spillway, powerhouse and fish passage facilities on both shores. Various recreational facilities are provided along the shores of Lake Umatilla and on the John Day River. Lake Umatilla, impounded by the dam, extends upstream about 76 miles to the foot of McNary Dam.
Construction began in 1958 and was completed in 1971, at a total cost of $511 million. At the time of its completion, John Day Dam Powerhouse was the second largest in the world. Completion of the John Day Dam marked the final step in harnessing the lower waters of the Columbia River.
Lake Celilo
Columbia River impoundment of The Dalles Dam, is accessed at the mouth of the Deschutes River at Heritage Landing, at Biggs Junction near the grain storage bins and at Giles French Park at Rufus.
Deschutes River State Park
Deschutes River State Park (say deh-shoots) is an oasis on the east bank of the Deschutes at its confluence with the Columbia River on Highway 30 from I-84 exits at Celilo (seh-li-lo) and Biggs. Amenities include Deschutes River State Park, an interpretive kiosk, an upriver abandoned rail bed trail for hikers and bicyclists (horses in season), camp sites, wildlife, views, restrooms and picnic sites.
The Deschutes appears as Clark's River on the Lewis & Clark map;
Towarnahiooks is a Chinook term used for the river
-The French Canadian fur traders called it Riviere des Chutes," French for "river of the falls."
- History of the Expedition under the command of Lewis and Clark, edited by Elliott Coues.
-Deschutes River Campgrounds in Sherman County
www.oregonstateparks.org/park
Beavertail Campground is reached via Highway 216, ten miles north of Sherar's Bridge on the Deschutes River. Located on the bank of the Deschutes River, facilities include tent and trailer sites, picnic sites, water, firepits, handicap-accessible pit toilets, trails and a boat ramp. Visitors enjoy fishing, hunting, rafting,boating, views and geology. A Deschutes River boater pass is required for river use. -Bureau of Land Management.
Macks Canyon Campground is a 14-day campsite on the Deschutes River bank eight miles West of Grass Valley, reached via Highway 216 and north on the Lower Deschutes Access Road north of Sherar's Bridge. Facilities include picnic, tent and trailer sites, pit toilets, boat ramp,water, fire pits andtrails. River users are required to obtain aboater pass. Visitors enjoy the site for itsfishing, hunting, views, geology, rafting, hiking and boating. Bicyclists and hikers enjoy the trail along theabandoned railroadgrade. -Bureau of Land Management.
Jones Canyon Campground is 8.5 miles North of Maupin on the Lower Deschutes Access Road North of Sherar's Bridge. Facilities include picnic, tent and trailer sites, tables, fire pits,vault toilets, but NO water. Visitors enjoy fishing, rafting, boating, hunting, picnics and the view. -Bureau of Land Management.
Twin Springs Campground is 15.5 miles North of Maupin on the Lower Deschutes River Access Road. Visitors enjoying fishing, rafting, hunting, geology,and hiking are furnished with picnic, tent and trailer sites, tables, fire pits and vault toilets, but NO drinking water. Fees are required for camping and a boater pass is required for river use.
Rattlesnake Pass Campground, 22.5 miles North of Maupin, and North of Sherar's Bridge, on the Lower Deschutes River Access Road, is furnished with picnic, tent and trailer sites,tables,fire pits, toilets, boat ramp and trails. Fees are charged for camping and a boater pass is required for river use. -Bureau of Land Management.
Buck Hollow is a day-use fishing and picnic site on the Deschutes River 9.5 miles North of Maupin on the Lower Deschutes River Access Road. Facilities include wheelchair accessible restrooms, vault toilets and a raft-launch site. NO drinking water.
Deschutes State Park
Deschutes State Park is an oasis on the east bank of the Deschutes at its confluence with the Columbia River. A national and state scenic waterway, the Deschutes drops about a quarter of a mile in its final 100 miles as it twists between canyon walls 700’to 2,200’ high. Visitors enjoy day use, camping, fishing, boating, rafting, picnics, views, wildlife,hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. Boater passes are required for river use. Bicyclists enjoy access to the abandoned railroad grade along the east bank, also open to horseback riding at certain times of the year. The park has restrooms, but no showers, RV sites, primitive camp sites and a group RV/tent sites. -Oregon State Parks.
For information call: (541) 739-2322 or 1-800-551-6949
For reservations call: 1-800-452-5687
Heritage Landing
Located on the West bank in Wasco County provides boat access to the Deschutes and Columbia Rivers at the mouth of the Deschutes River.
John Day River
Cottonwood
On the east bank of the John Day River on Highway 206 east of Wasco is the site of a Bureau of Land Management boat launch site with public toilets at J.S. Burres State Park about 12 miles east of Wasco. A wild and scenic river, the John Dayruns through Grant, Umatilla, Jefferson, Wheeler, Sherman, Wasco and Gilliam counties before reaching the Columbia River east of Rufus. Visitors enjoy the solitude, wildlife, scenery, history, camping, swimming and fishing. Facilities include the boat put-in and take-out sites and vault toilets on the Gilliam County side of the John Day River.
LePage Park at the John Day River’s confluence with the Columbia River is located east of Rufus on I-84. Facilities include a boat ramp, dock, swimming area, picnic tables and restrooms.
– US Army Corps of Engineers.
John Day River. Baptiste LePage.
"Monday, October 21st, 1805 ... On the left side of the [Columbia] river at this place are immense piles of rocks, which seem to have slipped from the cliffs under which they lie; they continue till, spreading still further into the river, at the distance of a mile from the island they occasion a very dangerous rapid [Squally Hook]; a little below ... on the right side are five huts. For many miles the river is now narrow ... the hills continue high ... a small river, which seems to rise in the open plains to the southeast and falls in on the left. It is 40 yards wide at its mouth, but discharges only a small quantity of water at present. We gave it the name of Lepage's river, from [Baptiste] Lepage, one of our company. Near this little river and ... below it, we had to encounter a new rapid... At the end of this rapid are four huts of Indians on the right, and two miles below five more huts on the same side. Here we landed and passed the night, after making 33 miles."
---History of the Expedition under the command of Lewis and Clark, edited by Elliott Coues.
Philippi Park, in Gilliam County and upriver from LePage Park, is accessible by boat.
– US Army Corps of Engineers.
Whitewater Rafting - The Deschutes and John Day Rivers
Imperial River Company, Maupin • 1-800-395-3903
ORE-Oregon River Experiences, Beavercreek • 1-800-827-1358
Ouzel Outfitters, Bend • 1-800-788-7238
And of course you must either stay or come say hello to the friendlest folks in the entire town
We left Carson City with our tums filled with coffee and our RV full of gas. Our goal for that day was Susanville (which is funny because we had a dear friend warn us about the police in this area - about just loving to pull people over). We left the Silver City RV Park which I have to say was clean. Service was so so and the people who where staying their FLIPPING SNOBS. I am sorry to say this but money is not everything in this world - PERIOD.
We plan on over nigh ting it in Walmart parking lot (with their permission that is - we always ask and never assume we can over night at any business parking lots). So we where about 20 miles from Susanville when I noticed a parade of cars behind us and I say to Jorge "pull over so they can get by or we'll get pulled over" he says "no they can pass me" so an officer goes by and I'm thinking "Crap we where just tagged" sure enough we hear sirens and noticed it was us he was pulling over. Nothing feels worse then a officer hand on his gun inching his way up to us. And so I roll my window down and notice how Jorge is shaking (serves him right). I'm expecting attitude after heeding the warning from our friends. NOPE super polite officer. All he does is educated us on the laws of the road for RV folks. Rule of thumb people more then 4 cars behind you - pull over. He said if your not doing the 65 mph (in which he clocked us at 58) then your a danger to the road with more then 4 cars behind you. So pull over. So he checks our license and insurance and then proceeds to tell us again the rules of the road and good luck. So you think that's it to the story? Heck NOOO....
Jorge goes to start the RV and it won't start - lol... OK so now we have to deal with the same officer yet AGAIN. He gives us a tag to put on the RV and he states if we need a police service just take the tag down and an officer who is doing a drive by will stop. And so we sit it out for 20 minutes and start the RV. And to our relief it starts (common with older RV to do this - the solenoid over heats causing the starter to not work). Jorge knows whats to come.... I TOLD YOU SO... and lots of it....
So we get to Susanville and ate some dinner and watch some new movies we had bought from Walmart - 27 Dresses - War Wagon - Open Range and Wyatt Earp (we love Westerns). Of course I am playing on my new computer and see that a Winter Warning is in store for us for the next couple of days. Holly smoke we need to get to an RV park asap.
And that brings us to now.... We are parked at the "Days End RV Park" in which I will praise, praise, praise. I have never seen an RV park as clean or as friendly as here. I am very big into customer service and hate hate hate snobby people. Well these folks are anything but that. About $30 a night free wifi - super super super clean shower/laundry room. They have a gated fence just for the pets. Our puppy dogs give it some major A+.
We may stay for one more night because of the major winter storm we are stuck in. We may get a break in the weather and head out tomorrow but most likely we'll stay one more night. I can't say much for the town because we've been stuck in doors due to the weather. And so we'll see.
Posts
