Judy and I are nothing if not goal-oriented travelers. Today there were four tour stops possible, accessible by shuttle bus, and we hit ‘em all. If there’s a sight to be seen, we’ll see it. One night, many years ago in Newfoundland, we found the last spot on our to-see list after dark. It was a decommissioned lighthouse that we could only find by flashlight.
After Bill, our lecturer, completed the final chapter of the Lewis and Clark story, we set out for the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automotive Museum. As the name implies, it’s full of old cars and planes, mostly from the 1910s through the 1940s. All are immaculately preserved and almost all are in flying or driving condition. A museum guide said that they have so many planes that they’re flown on a five-year rotation.
As interesting as the museum is the guy who founded it, Tony Brandt was equally interesting. We talked with him for a few minutes and he’s rightly proud of his creation. It opened in 2007 and today comprises four hangers and over 350 vehicles. Tony told us most of the content has been donated and new items are received almost daily. In addition to vehicles, there are all sorts of memorabilia from the same era.
The highlight for me was a 1937 Hudson Terraplane. Amelia Earhart christened the first Terraplane in 1932 and my dad, Phil Rick, age 12, was there you can see him in this newsreel clip at around 1:30 into the film. He’s the guy with something in his eye that causes him to blink! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yX83mJ-Wmk
WAAAM is located in Hood River where the Hood River ends its journey from Mt. Hood and empties into the Columbia River.
After a hurried take-out lunch (so we wouldn’t miss the 1:00 PM shuttle) we visited the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, not to be confused with yesterday’s Interpretive center. The two museums were quite similar, tracing the natural and cultural history of the region in well-done displays.
This afternoon’s museums are all located in The Dalles (rhymes with Gals), a reasonably-sized city at the next major cataract on the Columbia, and whose dam and locks we will pass through tonight. And because we’re now in Wasco County the history revolves around local events. Viewed from 30,000 feet the two counties are petty similar but today’s displays makes me wonder what we ever saw in yesterday’s Skamania County.
Next on the shuttle route: The Fort Dalles Museum and Anderson Homestead. Fort Dalles was never really a fort, serving only as a supply depot. The only remaining structure, the Doctor’s House, is crammed full of 19th Century artifacts, including a working 1905 Edison playing machine. It makes quite a racket! I’ll try to include a video clip in tonight’s picture gallery.
There’s also the Anderson Homestead, which has been moved to the site and shows what a Scandinavian farm life was like in the first half of the 20th Century. The man worked for the railroad and never quit his day job, running the farm and raising his family while continuing to travel the country for the railroad.
What makes it really interesting was the guide we had, a 76-year-old man who grew up in The Dalles. His mother and her sisters actually lived in the museum while his dad built their house. Turns out the Dalles Dam was constructed in mid 1950s and he well remembers what the river looked like before it was tamed by the dam. In today’s pictures is a photo of a photo showing Indians fishing from rickety platforms jutting out over the falls. His dad used to go out on the platforms to buy salmon from the Indians. “The further out you went the lower the price. He bought salmon for $1.00.”
Finally, a museum in downtown The Dalles dedicated to neon signs. Don’t ask me, I just tour here. The owner gave us the tour. I asked him what led him to neon signs. He replied, “I started collecting stuff when I was eight years old. In my 20s I found a guy who interested me in neon signs and taught me how to make them. From there I started touring the world building my collection. The town was going to tear this building down, so I was able to buy it for an attractive price. And here we are.” There’s a large ballroom where, back in the day, famous entertainers appeared.
It’s the people, not the stuff that makes traveling interesting.
Saw some kite surfing on the river this evening. Rock-and-roll is on tap for the show tonight. Tomorrow is Pendleton day. Send us your orders now!
