Friday Sept 6

Yesterday we said goodbye to the Wallowa Mountains and headed toward Mt. Hood. We argued politics the first two hours and then broke into a chorus of Woody Guthrie’s Roll on Columbia when the mighty River came into view. Another couple of hours and we arrived at Lost Lake. We expected about 15 miles of gravel road but enjoyed blacktop the whole way.

We shared memories of many fishing and camping trips to this exquisite mountain lake located at the base of Mt. Hood. We didn’t fish – we didn’t want to detract from the memories. And Paul ran into one of his long-lost friends!

We passed a sign that pointed to the small town of Dufur, Oregon (pop 604). Paul reminded us of the story our dad told of the sign entering the town! Ask not what Dufur can do for you. Ask what you can do for Dufur! You gotta love Dufur humor!

Our destination yesterday was Timberline Lodge. Another must-see on our tour. As part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, he established the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Timberline Lodge was one of the WPA’s crowning projects. Built between 1936 and 1938, this 40,000 square foot, iconic lodge sits at the ‘timberline’ of majestic Mount Hood. TV shows and movies as diverse as Hogan’s Heroes and Stephen King’s the Shining have scenes films at Timberline Lodge. On winter Saturdays, during my teenage years, I would occasionally meet other Youth for Christ friends near Government Camp, about six miles below the Lodge. Several of us would pile into the back of a pick-up truck and a YFC staff member would drive us to Timberline Lodge. We would then ski down the Glade Trail to Government Camp and repeat! Years later I discovered my friend and fellow camp director, Stan Gillespie, was one of the pick-up truck drivers! Thanks Stan!