We arrived at Tilikum Lodge, the home base for the Elderhostel, about 3 PM on Sunday, and checked in. Then we attended an orientation meeting where we met the staff, and then each of the attendees gave a brief story about themselves. Then on to a great dinner.

 

 

After the orientation meeting.

 

The next day, after an excellent breakfast, we all piled on a nice bus, and headed for Vancouver Washington to visit the very historic and famous Fort Vancouver. It was founded in 1825 by the British Hudson Bay Trading Company. It was the first settlement in the area, and it was run by a very strong willed Scotsman named Dr. John McLoughlin  who ended up being recognized as the father of Oregon. He and the British hoped that the border would be set along the Columbia River, but instead it was negotiated much further north, giving USA what is now the state of Washington. The US Army took over the fort after the British evacuated, and it remained a key military base. A number of famous people were stationed there including General Grant, General Marshal, General Sherman, and many more. The homes for the general officers are still there and are beautiful.

 

you can learn more about it at http://www.nps.gov/fova/home.htm 

 

The above photo shows the front of the house belonging to the Factor, John Mcloughlin. It is the centerpiece of the fort

 

This is the dining room in the Factor's house. He conducted most of his business here over meals and drinks. It was the administrate center of the area that stretched from Russian Alaska to the Mexican California Territory, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. WOW

 

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This is the Factor's bedroom. I was greatly impressed by the furnishings in this house that was so far removed from any civilization. Most items came all the way from London, around the the southern tip of South America.

 

Here, our fearless leader, Bedford, in his distinctive fedora hat, is regaling us with more of the history of the Fort and it's Factor

 

This is the well that fascinated Rose

 

There are modern facilities for the tourists.

 

Since there was a very large number of business trade transactions, the  Hudson Bay Company, back in London, required that complete records of each transaction be kept. So this special building called the "Counting House, was built. Very impressive.

 

Sleeping facilities for visiting dignitarys. They generally kept all of their possessions in a loage trunk such as that shown here.

 

Rose and her friend, Hannah Poisner.

 

 

Our instructor, Bedford, describing how it was. He really did a grat job.

 

Here is an operating blacksmith shop with two smiths who demonstrated how to make some of the products that were made there in the early days. They could really make the sparks fly.

 

 This was the trading post store that was set up to trade with the Indians. At the time Rose, who took this photo, was having trouble trying to figure out how to keep the flash from firing, since the guide had told everyone that flash was not allowed. Poor Rose would make an adjustment to her camera, then take a photo. The flash would go off and the guide would repeat her ban on flash photos. But we ended up with this nice picture in a rather dark room.

 

This is the building where all of the furs were stored for processing and shipment to London. There were no windows in order to protect the furs.  It was really dark because they were simulating the light from just a couple of candles. Again, Rose's flash went off.

 

 

After the bus returned us to Tilicum, we decided to enjoy the beautiful lake. Here Rose and I are paddling around the lake. It was great fun, and we developed a well coordinated paddling rhythm. Then we both went swimming in the lake. It was very well organized and supervised. Rose had to pass a swimming test first, which she did with flying colors.

 

For Tuesday's trip, we all had to pack an overnight bag because we were going far afield and would stay at a motel. We were heading for the famous and beautiful Columbia River Gorge, the place where this huge river cuts through the Cascade Mountains. It was a great problem for the pioneers who came over the Oregon Trail, because it had very treacherous rapids that destroyed property and killed many. This monument high over the river, is a tribute to all of the pioneers who braved these treacherous waters.

 

 

Bedford is a fount of the history of this part of Oregon.

 

 

This is the Gorge.

 

 

This the Multnomah water falls, one of hundreds that line the sides of the gorge. Bedford, and many of our group, including Rose, hiked up to the bridge that you see here. She got some good photos.

 

Here is Rose and her friend Coultin