Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Mt Hood Scenic Drive

Mt Hood, the highest peak in Oregon (11,249 ft at its peak) was the destination at the end of our drive today.  It is one of several volcanic mountains in Oregon and Washington.2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1001 From our campground in Rufus, we took a 225 mile circuitous route through the countryside to Mt. Hood, returning through Hood River, and crossing the Columbia to finish our drive on the Washington side (see map at bottom of post).

The countryside went through several changes, 2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1011 from hilly, dry and barren past 2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1008 irrigated farmland to

2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1015evergreen forests.

Mt. Hood is majestic2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1040  as were our views of Mt. Jefferson2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1026 and Mt. Adams both in the distance.2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1062

The drive back through Washington is just as impressive as the Oregon side of the river.2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1087

We will enjoy the “fruits of our drive” for several days after stopping at a local farmer’s stand.2010-08-14 OR, Columbia Gorge -Mt. Hood Scenic Drive 1104

For a slideshow of the day, including pictures from the historic Mt. Hood Lodge, click on the collage:

Mt Hood

hood river

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