I loved visiting Grandma Eva and Grandpa Bill’s house. It was an
amazing outdoor playground, where we would escape all day. My
brother, Kenny, my cousin Tommy and I would ride bikes, build forts
and camp out in Grandma’s living room.
We also made hand-made ice cream out on her deck that was
delicious (does anyone make that anymore or do we all go to Cold
Stone?) When we weren't making it at home Grandma would treat us to
vanilla cones or twists at the Frosty. I don’t recall its name, but
during my recent visit I went to the Dairy Queen, which was just as
fun!
Grandma lived close to the State Park, on 3rd Street. Years ago
this area was undeveloped, and we had the whole place to
ourselves—or at least it felt that way. During the summer we roamed
through the woods, and in winter we would ride snowmobiles and
ATC’s up and down the roads--it was a blast.
On the weekends we would peruse through the paper and circle all
of the Yard and Garage Sales in the vicinity. Eva really knew how
to barter; she would negotiate the prices to make sure she ended up
with a good deal.
One of the other highlights of my summer visits was driving to
Bend to shop at Bi-Mart. I was always on my best behavior in hopes
of getting a new Breyer horse to add to my collection.
Another one of my favorite memories of visiting Grandma was
taking naps on her waterbed, with her Siamese cat Missy (who I
called "Prissy Missy" because she didn’t like kids very much). It
was such a treat to sleep on such a cool bed!!
I love to eat so when Grandma Eva was making me breakfast I’d
already be asking her what was for lunch and dinner!! Even when she
was very ill she remembered that and shared the story with
MarshallOD.
My grandmother passed away in March, 2007 and is buried in
Springfield, Oregon. I loved her very much, and this cache is my
tribute to the wonderful memories we shared when I was a child, and
again last year before she died. She was a sweet woman who made me
laugh and smile all day. At night, we would skip through the back
woods in our pajamas while she sang "Tiptoe Through the
Tulips."
The cache is a tan colored ammo can. It is located near "Big
Red," in La Pine State Park. You can reach the cache by walking
along the level trail from the parking lot, just to the right of
the "Big Tree" sign. If you prefer, you can visit the tree first,
then follow a trail along the river up to the bluff. On the way
you'll see another memorial, a set of windchimes in a bluff
pine.
A brochure for LaPine State Park is available
online at
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/lapine_full.pdf.
I am especially grateful to
BAD DOGS for their sponsorship of this cache. Thank you for
helping place this special memorial cache.