Saturday morning and not much of an agenda planned. I suggested that since we didn’t see Cashmere on the way in, we drive out and see the little burg. While Leavenworth went Bavarian, Cashmere chose a pioneer-wild west theme. The little town sits on the Wenatchee river, which looks perfect for kayaking and rafting. The downtown has facades that would make you think a hitching post was necessary. Being early on a Saturday morning, none of the stores were open, and I guess everyone was still in bed. I was able to get out and take pictures with little obstruction.

Nestled behind the main street is the Aplets and Cotlets factory. Mother tells me that it’s a family owned business that enjoys staying small. I’ve seen their candies outside of Washington so they must be doing something right. Cashmere also boasts a pioneer museum dedicated to the first white settlers in the area. The museum includes a little pioneer village. None of it was open, but I thought it made for good pictures.

After Cashmere, mother suggested we drive down to Rock Island Dam.  Rock Island is the oldest of the thirteen dams on the Columbia river in the state of Washington. As a kid it seemed really large, but driving by it today not as much. Dams are controversial in that while providing water for irrigation and hydroelectric power, they also destroy natural habitats and sometimes beautiful scenery.  Salmon runs along the Columbia have been deeply impacted by these dams. The whole valley where mother grew up was dramatically changed when the Rocky Reach Dam was completed in 1961. The cost of progress is challenging and is better suited for debate at another time.

We made our way back to Orondo to visit my cousin Debbie and her husband Ted. Debbie and Ted live on the side of a mountain. After my terror at Ohme Gardens I wasn’t so sure about my ability to manage this mountain goat life style, but I’m game for a visit.  Their house isn’t so bad. A paved road leads to their level and the views from their yard are amazing. Ted’s son is building a house farther up the side. Ted invited me to join him in his little ATV and see the site. While I’ll admit the views are spectacular, the gravel road and the sheer drop off once again challenged my sense of vertigo, and I was thankful when we returned to safety of the lower level.

Debbie has been taking care of Grandma for years, even before she moved into assisted living. Before they tore down the old house, she rescued some of Grandmas belongings including the old wood stove she cooked on. What a treasure to walk into the kitchen and see this memory from my youth cleaned up and looking like new. I’m very thankful for her thoughtfulness and care. Before leaving, we made arrangements to come back for lunch on Sunday in hopes of seeing more family.

Mother and I stopped at Shari’s in E. Wenatchee for lunch. This was my choice as Shari’s was a blast from the past hearkening back to our days of living in Portland, OR.  Stepping into the restaurant was almost like going through a time machine. Nothing had changed at all in the 22 years since I’d last eaten at a Shari’s. Good times.

Our visit with Grandma was highlighted by a vanilla milkshake. We learned later that chocolate is her favorite, as it is much sweeter. But she drank the vanilla without complaint. She was in good spirits and really appeared to enjoy our visit.

The afternoon was filled with a drive up badger mountain, just east of the Columbia valley. It’s here that you see the stark difference between the west side of the state and the east side. On the west are lush forests and spectacular mountains. The east side is rolling plateau with wheat fields as far as the eye can see. The river slices the state in two like a knife. Many people don’t even know this side exists as most of the commerce and living is in the west. It was in the little town of Waterville, at the top of the canyon, my mother was born. We drove past the house and then proceeded back down into the valley for another pass through Orondo, and back to town for dinner.

We’ve been here for three days now, and I feel I’ve seen more of this area than I did in all my previous trips combined. It does me good to hear mother recall her youth. I’m glad I can do this for her.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller