Gorge-ous

This past weekend we camped in the Columbia Gorge, at Memaloose State Park, and spent time with Aunt Kathy and Con while enjoying the carshow. Kathy and Con are members of the Mid-Columbia Car Club which was the host of the event.

The event starts off Friday evening at 8pm with a Neon Nights Cruise through downtown Dalles. The six of us had dinner at Burgerville, the sponsor of the event, and then we set up chairs along the street to watch the parade of restored cars and trucks. Con and Aunt Kathy cruised in their restored Ford pick-up, see picture. Matt took tons of pictures all weekend--way to many to post. Matt's favorite car is GTO, which he became a fan of as a child while riding in Lou's GTO.

Aunt Kathy waving to the crowds :)

The weather was perfect, sunny, but not to hot. The gorge winds were pleasant. One of our "must dos" when we are at Memaloose is to watch the trains that go by. Sometimes counting the number of cars, sometimes just listening to the clickety-clack of the tracks. We did lay a few pennies on the track for smashing :) Lori loves to see the Tidewater barges moving up and down the river.

The main event for the car show was held on a shady hilltop park, where hundreds of cars participated in the cruise-in.

Saturday dinner was at Chinese restaurant in downtown, a great suggestion from Aunt Kathy. Huge, tasty portions with plenty to take home for later.

Matt snapped this gorgeous sunrise Sunday morning outside our tent

Sunday, the Dufur Threshing Bee was on our list, located about 13 miles from The Dalles, with a nice drive through rolling wheat fields. At Dufur, we watched a threshing demonstration the old-fashioned way with a steam engine that turns the fabric belts of the threshing machine. Horses powered the combine out in the fields. One of the farmers showed Abi how the oat seed boroughs into the ground when it gets wet with water. She took some of the oat seeds home to show her friends.

On our way back into The Dalles to leave for home, we stopped in on Aunt Kathy's Jam Session at the grange hall. A wonderful treat to listen to the music and singing. Aunt Kathy plays the accordian, and other seniors play guitar, base, and other instruments. We enjoyed a piece of pie ala-mode before we had to start heading back home.

What a wonderful relaxing weekend.

Matt and Bear