In 1990 I fell in love! corny? not really, I was in love with Washington State, and what a State to be in. Where do I start. In Seattle on the borders of Canada, or by the Columbia River Gorge, on the Borders of Oregon. Yes that is where my affair began. Portland in Oregan. From the Airport in Portland it is just a few minutes drive to Camas in Washington where I stayed with friends for a while.

Camas, is set amongst the masses of conifers and redwoods growing on the mountains behind, that flow endlessly through Washington State, where even the widest roads still make their way between the towering redwood giants. East along the river you come to Washougal a small town in the mountains, where the place to dance the American Jive, drink the local beer, listening to the local band, or even have a great game of base ball, in the field beyond . The Homestead, a lovely venue, right in the middle of nowhere was the inn place to be.

Up and on through the most beautiful drive I have ever experienced. along the road which ran along the North banks of the Columbia river. Cutting its way through tunnels when the mountains were too steap to drive around.

The further you drive along the trail to the East the more barren it becomes. The Dalles are quite spectacular. I can recommend anyone coming to the area to take this drive at least once during their stay.
Looking across the Columbia river to the South Side of Oregon, you will see that the mountains are very steep, consequently there are many water falls, often with a 200 Foot drop. I counted at least twelve all with names. On arriving at the Dalles, it is possible to cross the river to the South and drive back along the road to Portland where you can stop and enjoy the experience of standing at the foot of the falls, where the sound of the water is deafening.

Up along the road to the top you can see the apex of rooves of the timber framed houses that were all but covered in ash as it ran down the mountain side.
At the top is a museum, restaurant and shop, where beautiful, unusual glass ornaments have been made out of the volcanic rock. These look rather like the pattern that petrol in a puddle makes. blues & purples in streaks.
This trip is not recommended for the winter months, as the roads are often closed by the snowfalls

Right in the centre is a lovely park area, where the Seattle Tower stands. tall and slim with a round bulbous shape at the top. It was closed when I was there, so I never made it to the top. (oneday perhaps!).
There is a large shopping mall, with many little stores within, we were fascinated by the candy store that spun out the candy like a skein of wool, spinning it into shaps and sizes for the various sweets. Most malls have a dining area, this one was no exception. Around the perimetre were all the little bays where food good be purchased from all the countries of the world, taken into the centre where the tables and seating were arranged around pools and fountains, with lights accentuating the display. A most enjoyable experience.

For a quiet sit in the heat of the day, there is a great park right on the coast, where Totem Poles tower over you, in their brightly coloured paints.
You can then wander down to the old town. This is something of a museum, I wish I could have spent longer there. The high rise office blocks have been built on top of the old streets, burying the houses and shops underneath them. You pay only a small amount to be able to visit these shops, still set as they would have been all those many years ago. It really has to be seen to be believed.

Back now to Camas, the town where I first arrived, which now supports a really modern Community Centre, called the 'Jack Will & Rob Centre' for the children of the town to use for Sports, Music and Arts. This was built in honour of three little boys who died a few years ago with their father, in their light aircraft, on the Columbia river. The day after Thanksgiving. 1999.
I loved those boys with all my heart, I will never forget them. Also their father who died, leaving their mother and sister to grieve. My thoughts go out to the family, whom I lived with for nearly a year, as nanny to the boys and their sister, who was born while I was with them.