Yesterday started out as a need-to-get-some-chores-done day. We did laundry, cleaned the rig, did some shopping. And because we were scheduled to leave our campground in Woodburn, OR, today and had no other campgrounds lined up, Jim did some research and I made some phone calls. Result: this morning we are on our way to a military base campground near Astoria, in northwest Oregon. (The website says if the firing range is not active, you can drive out on the beach from the campground. We'll be careful!)
But back to yesterday. After our chores, we drove about 15 miles south to Salem, where Jim was born. Jim lived there until he was about 5 years old, and spent another summer in Salem right before his family moved to Yakima when he was about 8. JIm's parents met in Salem, and Jim remembers lots of visits to aunts and uncles on both sides of his family when he was growing up.
Before and after our Salem car tour, we made a mandatory (for us anyway) Oregon stop: We went to a McMenamins. McMenamins buys historic Oregon properties (plus a few in Washington) and turns them into pubs/lodges. The one in Salem is called “Boon’s Treasury” and in a previous life was a general store owned by Oregon’s first state treasurer, John Boon, who also conducted his state treasury duties from the building in the 1860s.
One of our favorite McMenamins is the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove, OR. A former Masonic and Eastern Star home, the building features original photos plus artwork based on the people who lived there, and each room is named after former residents. (Mom: I wish I could take you there -- you would like it.) To read more about McMenamins, click here.
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The front of Boon’s Treasury. It was later owned by a childhood friend of Herbert Hoover, and Hoover played on the roof of the building as a child. With the repeal of prohibition in 1933, it became a tavern and has been once ever since.
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Jim in front of the Boon’s Treasury, one of 65 McMenamins. Another great one is Edgefield, just east of Portland. Edgefield is a 74-acre former poorfarm near the Columbia River Gorge. It now has a golf course and spa -- probably not part of the original poor farm. We visited it with Ashley and Shad on our way back to SLC after Season and Lee were married.
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Hello Bev, I’ve enjoyed keeping up with your visit of the Northwest. I also admire Jim’s self-confidence in introducing you to his childhood friends and to his family. Because of an innocent, yet misguided youth, there are stories I simply don’t want my bride to hear. To this end, I have spent virtually all of my marital energy on keeping Sandy from ever meeting anyone who knew me before the age of 16. Sadly, and to my never-ending regret, she has managed to meet and have discussions with my sister and parents. Both my mother and father have now passed on, and while I miss them, at least I no longer need to worry about damage control after yet another misadventure is shared with Sandy. Unfortunately, my sister, who is still with us, talks to Sandy often and this never results in a good outcome for me. Again, I admire Jim’s self-confidence, and/or perhaps near perfect childhood behavior.
ReplyDeleteAlso, as you know, I would never criticize your explorative adventures, nor write anything that I might think would embarrass or offend you. But really, Bev, how can you visit Salem and not post pictures of the Witch Trail Sites? And, what about Nathanial Hawthorn, the House of Seven Gables, Hester’s Scarlet “A”. Bev, there was not one picture of a Pilgrim … or a Turkey. Again, I’m not telling you what to do on your travels, but, honestly you need to focus more on where you are and what the MUST SEE sites are. Please accept this constructive criticism in the spirit that it is offered.