Cause I – like Hood River – am long winded . . .

I told you this was the windsurfing capital of the world, and that is so. But it’s also the kite boarding capital of the world. Kite boarding is where you stand on a wind surfing board, kind of like a surf board only instead of a giant sail attached to the board, YOU are attached to a gigantic kite that goes where the wind takes you. Now, these guys can really fly. Literally. We sat and watched a couple guys just get lifted way up into the air and seem to hang there at the mercy of(or cruelty of, depending on your viewpoint) the wind, til the gust subsided and let them float down onto the water (or drop down, and some not so gently, I might add). Can you say, ouch? You see hundreds of these ‘sailors’ in just this one spot here. It’s a miracle none of them crash into each other or the kites don’t get all tangled up as they pass by. We were quite amazed by that actually.

Now, to clear things up – we are in Hood River – the town called Hood River, for you see, no windsurfing or kite boarding is actually done on the Hood River the river, no, the actual surfing sports are done on the Columbia River that flows directly passed Hood River, the town. Got all that? Right.

It is so fun to just sit on the grass with all the other tourists and watch as these brave (or stupid – you decide) men and women go back and forth with their very colorful sails and kites. Ezra wants to kite board in the worst way, but you have to be at least 90 pounds to do it – so as he is, I imagine we’d find him back in South Dakota by week’s end. (Seen the movie ‘Up’ anyone?!) He does love it here and could really get into this stuff I’m sure. He’s the ready-for-danger um, action kind of guy. But I am not the ready-for-danger or action kind of mom. So, he’s grounded (read - must stay on the ground) til he’s – oh – 25. Hey, I let him windsurf in The Hook, the protected practice area, wha’d you think - I’m going to let my 11 year old get carried away down a whirlwind of a river attached to a kite?! Ha. I think not.

It’s a very strange thing though, the wind is windy only in this area right here. Yesterday the boys went down to the local high school football field, on the Washington side to fly their kites and there was nary a stitch of wind. Yet, down the road a ways closer to the river, (Columbia River, that is, in Hood River, the town) it’s super gusty. Strange indeed.

So, since we couldn’t join ‘em, we had to beat ‘em. The boys got their big trick kites out and went to the grassy area just next to the windsurfing area and had a blast. The wind is so strong here, the kites we have nearly carried the boys away right there. Good thing the kites were a wee bit smaller than the ones the kite boarders were using, or I’d have three kids half way to Colorado by now. They are pretty good at flying them, even though they had to really work at it. It was fun to watch, til the sprinklers came on. Well, I guess that was fun to watch too! :)

We have been visited by little bees the last several days as we have been eating outside. At one point, Gary had 5 of his little friends all over him and his food. I've decided to eat in the trailer, thank you very much. Bees like that, well, they are pretty harmless, but yesterday, they brought a body guard, a wasp, and it of course, stung Noah. Thank God for activated charcoal. Ever hear of it? Well, as a shameless plug, we have friends who sell kits for spider bites, but the stuff works wonders on all kinds of bites. Bees, spiders, snakes, even scorpions. Go to: www.brownrecluses.com A good friend of ours got bit by a copperhead snake and the activated charcoal is what helped save her. (Aside from God, of course) Amazing stuff, I’m telling you. Nice to have on hand just in case.

Now I am going to give you another piece of advice. Before you decide to move to another RV park because you want to save a few bucks, look at the fine print. What I mean by that is, the new place may not be all the brochure says it is. Oh, it’s nice and new and all, but they didn’t say you had to first of all pay a toll just to get across the bridge to get to the place, PAY to take a shower, nor did they tell you their internet , though fast when it works, doesn’t work too often. And they also failed to mention that the railroad tracks are 20 feet from your window! Literally. Wouldn’t be too bad if the trains didn't run every other hour – ALL NIGHT LONG! You know how they say a tornado sounds just like a freight train barreling down on you? Well, a freight train at 2am sounds just like a tornado. The first time I heard it coming I wanted to run for the basement. Then I remembered – I’m in an RV – there is no basement! Not good for light sleepers, I can assure you. (says Gary: A train ran by here?) So tomorrow we’re moving on, God willing. I have to get some sleep!

But I will miss the fresh picked fruit here. Peaches, nectarines, berries and the most fantastic tree-ripened figs you have ever tasted. Unbelievable. I could live here just for that. Fresh fruit all summer and fall, how can you not love it? You just have to pick the right RV park to park in, and all will be well. Or, I guess you could just find some land and/or a house and well, stay here. That would work too. . .

Well, today we plan to drive up to Goldendale on the Washington side and stop and see Stonehenge on the way. Apparently, someone erected a replica of the famous site right here in the Gorge. So, since I will most likely never see the real Stonehenge in England, we’ll stop and check it out. It’s got to be better than the car Stonehenge made of actual cars standing on end in the same pattern somewhere in Kansas. It’s safe to say I don’t have to see that attraction before I die.

And with that novel of a post - I say, adios.

Blessings,
jill and all