Today was such a warm sunny day, that after church we decided to go for a drive/walk up in the gorge (25 minute drive). We randomly chose Rooster Rock State Park, mainly because we have seen the sign for it a million times and had never gone there before. It is this beautiful park right on the Columbia River marshlands. It is really long and has many things like trails, frisbee golf courses, picnic areas and boat launches. It seemed to cater to everyone. (little did we know how far that "catering to everyone" went).
A couple of pretty views from the drive there:
Mt. Hood
Looking up the Columbia Gorge
We got out of the car and Joe wanted to go check out the Frisbee Golf Course, I wanted to go down to the river and walk along it. We compromised, we went through the frisbee golf course and found a way down to the river.
On the way we passed this building, where one wall, warmed by the sun, was COVERED with box elder bugs. It reminded me of growing up in Utah.
A Frisbee golf "goal":
What if you over threw and it went into the water?! Last time I checked frisbee's are a lot more money than a golf ball!!
Kaelan and I:
He really, really liked riding in the backpack. He used my hair as his "reigns" and would pat me on the head. He thought it was great fun. So did I.It took a while to find a way down, that wasn't jumping off a 50 ft cliff of sand and trees, but finally we did. Within about 30 seconds of climbing down the steep hillside, Joe delivered the first shock. "Cami, there is a naked man just over there" He whispered into my ear. My eyes whip over to where he had jestured to. "Don't look!!" He says fiercely!! Too late. Besides, I just had to see! Sure enough, there was a man in his mid 50's strolling down a trail, buck NAKED, just as if it were the most normal thing in the world! He even had his arms folded. We hid in the small copse of trees waiting for him to venture further on, while at the same time trying to interest the boys in something else, so they wouldn't see the weirdo. Just didn't want to go there. This is supposed to be a Sunday walk after all!!
Soon he is gone from sight, and so we venture out onto the trail (in the opposite direction, of course). We try a few trails, through the marshlands, trying to get to the beach of the river, but were unsuccessful. We keep going down river looking for trails out. As we come back out from a dead end, low and behold ANOTHER naked man is strolling along a trail. AHHHH. I tell the boys to wait for dad and I keep a lookout, to see when all is clear. Joe teased me mercilessly for being the one to do this. "Why didn't you let me do that? You just wanted to see the naked men!!" Hahahaha! Yeah, right. I love looking at naked old wrinkly men! I was about to go out there and confront the sickos and tell them to get out of the park, there were children here!! I knew they didn't have any weapons. . . .hehehe, I could see that! No place hidden on them! I was about to get a stick and whip their soft pudgy bare bottoms back to the parking lot!
Not 5 minutes later, here comes another one. SHEESH?!? What is up with this place. Joe and I start to speculate about this park and its dark underbelly. Is this some secret rendevous for crazy homos or something? Suddenly our nice sunday stroll is a nice sunday jog for the parking lot. If only we knew where it was, or how close! In the meantime, the boys are have a great time, totally oblivious to the goings on around them. We pass a main trail to the river and see some parasurfers coming back from the river. They are talking and laughing, about what, you can probably guess. One guy says "Last time I was here, there was one in a button up shirt and tie and nice slick business shoes and NOTHING in between! Guess he just wanted easy access!" They all laugh! Joe and I look at each other, "people know about this pnenomena?!?"
Finally we come to some steep stairs leading up to the parking lot. Up we go. At the top is the trail head marker and info board. On it there is a plaque that reads "clothing optional beach" Approved by the AANR (American Association for Nudist Recreation)! Joe and I start laughing!! Because we went through the disc golf course, we never saw the sign and thus, walked unsuspecting into a nudist beach! This park is HUGE, and we just happened to randomly pick the part of it reserved for nudists!! Talk about your unique Sunday education!
By the way, the rest of the park was totally normal. Much to our relief. But this day will not soon be forgotten!!
Here are some pics of the adventure:
(Sorry, no old nude guy photos!)
The boys are their antics:
Ansel loved the trails . Aren't they beautiful? Well, if you take the old naked guys out of your mind, they are.!!
On the trail the boys used sticks to draw in the sand. They spent most of their time with their heads down looking at the sand, making it very easy for us to evade the naked guys, with out them even noticing!!
Levi and his "artist" stick in the sunset.Sweet Kaelan
Photos overlooking the "infamous" beach
Joe, sliding down the stair railing to the beach. Levi tried it too, but dad had to point out that there was definitely a wrong way for boys to do this, and Levi was doing it the WRONG way. Too funny.
Great day. Lots of memories, even more laughs. Nothing like trying to keep the Sabbath Day holy on a nude beach!!
2 comments:
this is the FUNNIEST post! Hope those images didn't burn into your head.
Haha! Definitely made for a memorable outing, that's for sure. Hopefully we don't happen upon any other "surprises" like that in our random exploration of the great outdoors!!
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