Summer Road Trip 2015- Arrving in Hood River

Leaving Springville Utah we headed to Boise, Idaho.  Staff made a last-minute decision to stay in the right side of the divided under-construction-highway, which appeared to be the faster moving of the two sides.  Unfortunately, we ended up in a very slow, major traffic jam.  Apparently there was an accident a mile or two ahead.  Luckily we had enough gas to get us through.  This is always tricky with a trailer, huge truck and A/C blasting.  You just never know if your previous calculations are right or if you can still trust the gas gauge.  I never trust it due to an instance in our old neighborhood where mine broke, and I had to walk up the road in my nice work outfit and heels to get a gallon of gas.

Entering the Gorge along the Comubia River, Oregon

After cursing the person in the accident who inconvenienced us, and then admonishing ourselves for such evil thoughts, I suggested we do the "ABCs of Gratitude" to pass the time.  I learned this helpful game from some wise people, who have all sorts of ideas about how to keep one's mind focused on the positive in troubling situations. It started off very nice, being thankful for all the good people and things in our lives. Eventually ABCs of gratitude digressed to inappropriate adult talk, that shall not be discussed here.  Not exactly the game my wise friends had in mind.
    

It seemed impossible that we'd ever get there, but finally we arrived in Boise. It was uneventful.  We slept in Walmart's parking lot, a favorite for sleepy RV travelers, though not for me.  I pouted like a girl about sleeping at Walmart.  I can't help it.  It's just wrong to wake up to the sound of truck deliveries and people loading their groceries.  A friend had suggested I shout out the window, "Hey! Can I have one of those Twinkies?"
   

Latest stop, Hood River, Oregon. Once again, our lack of planning continues to astound me.  It would be so easy, and yet we don't.  It's not as if it's a surprise where we are going.  Here's the thing- we need a campsite with electric, so that we can run the A/C. This allows the dogs to be cool and have enough noise to block the constant trains running along the Columbia River in the Gorge, where almost all campsites are located.  

Hood River city center

Hood River is a busy place for kiters.

Stafford heading out to join the other kiters on the Columbia River.

As my husband's luck would have it, we did find a KOA (love them!!) (Kampground of America) that had an available site with electric! A stroke of luck b/c this weekend was the Kite4Cancer event, which packs in the campers.  But our first day, Baccia tore off the screen and shade of one window while we were gone, probably when the train blew its whistle.  A fellow camper kindly told us that he really looked like he wanted out of the trailer.
    

That did it.  The trailer will be destroyed and we'll be personas non-gratas in the campground, unless we go to plan B - doggy daycare.  Luckily, there is one here and our vet was able to fax their info right away.  As I sit here in my favorite Hood River coffee shop, they are enjoying sleeping in a "bunk bed" and playing with some new friends. 

A calm-for-the-moment Baccia looks out at his kingdom.

Armenian blackberries are delicious right off the vine at our campground, but they are invasive.

Train tracks behind our campground.  They are busy all day, and night, too!

With doggies safe and unable to destroy our property, Staff and I visited some of the kiting companies whose gear he sells.  It was an interesting experience to see how different companies are run.  Some were efficient and friendly, while others were disorganized, with a welcome of "Hey, bro, how's it going?" We also learned that the snow has melted quite a bit since we were here 4 years ago.  One of the locals said she's afraid that there spring-fed water supply will run out.  Hood River has also changed its look- the beach front is more built-up and businesses are growing. This hippie outdoorsy town is changing.  Lots of new subdivisions have sprung up near our campground.  We wondered what the teachers are paid, a common response to any beautiful place we visit.
   

As I sit here, Staff is kiting on the Columbia River, and I enjoyed a wonderful run/walk in bright sunshine along the river.  My Irish skin is freckling rapidly, so I'm taking a break from the sun.

Stafford on his hydrofoil.