We spent the past weekend in Dayton, Washington, and had such a nice time. Mark was born there, our two oldest kids were born there, and we lived there from 1976-1981. We drove to Dayton on Friday afternoon (it's a 7-hour drive each way), and arrived at around 10:30 p.m.
First thing on the agenda on Saturday morning was the annual Dayton Days parade. Mark's Aunt Marilyn (above) and Uncle Bud always stake out their parade-viewing places in the same spot each year, so of course we joined them. Some of their kids, in-law kids, and grandchildren were also in town, and we watched the parade together.
Uncle Bud was enjoying the parade in the only town in which he has ever lived. He and Aunt Marilyn are such dear people, so generous and kind, and just so fun to be with.
This is me with Cadence, Bud and Marilyn's one-year-old great-granddaughter. I was so tickled that she allowed me to hold her, having just met her for the first time! Her mom and dad are Nathan and Ashley. Nathan is headed to Afghanistan for a year beginning next week, and our prayers are definitely with him and his family.
A view across the street from where we were sitting, to the crowd sitting in front of the courthouse. Dayton has one of the lovliest courthouses to be found anywhere.
Following the parade, we went to the cemetery to pay our respects to all the relatives on both sides of Mark's family who are buried there. First stop was his mom's and dad's site. Mark had made two wooden planters that we brought with us, in which we put geraniums to place on the graves. Click on the picture for more detail.
One of the planters Mark made.
My sweetie and me.
Uncle Bud and Aunt Marilyn have already placed their stone at the cemetery, to be ready when needed. Their kids love to tease them about it, saying that all they do is look at it and cry. Pretty funny.
Sunday morning we were in a quandry: where to attend church.? The years we lived in Dayton, we went to First Baptist Church. We still keep in touch with several people from those days, and we wanted to say hello to them on this visit. But we also love Bud and Marilyn's church, and their pastor is dear to us as well. But it all worked out, as we were able to do both. We didn't know what time the Baptist church started their service, and when we drove up at 9:30 a.m., we saw the sign out front that said their service started at that very moment. We went right in and got there just in time. We were able to greet all our friends, and enjoyed a wonderful worship service.
Another one of the banners up front.
After the service, all the people in attendance gathered up front to record a video birthday greeting to be sent to a young man in the congregation who is serving in the military overseas. Such hometown love and care.
Then, because that service was finished, we decided we could also attend the service at Bud and Marilyn's church. We arrived there just in time. During the service, Bud and Marilyn sang a special song together: "Lord, Build Me a Cabin, in the Corner of Glory Land." It was GREAT!
The church uses this song book as well as a traditional hymnal for their music. Both churches are filled with people who just love the Lord, and who show that same love to others so freely and willingly. All in all, it was such a wonderful day. More pictures and stories from the rest of our visit coming soon!
After church on Sunday, we drove to the cemetery once more, because we had learned since our visit the day before that Fred (Mark's mom's husband for 11 years prior to her death), had provided one of the beautiful floral arrangements at her grave site. We wanted to get a picture of it. It's the one on the upper right of her stone.
This is the card that was tucked in among the flowers. We thought it was very nice of Fred to do that.
We then drove up the North Touchet River to Hompegg Falls, to a cabin that has been in Mark's family for generations. Above is a glimpse of the river behind the cabin.
Mark stands with the river at his back.
Us.
The cabin. It has been remodeled, added to, and updated over the years, but never ceases to lose its charm. The two-story portion to the left is the latest addition.
The cook stove in the kitchen.
The spacious living room.
The upstairs BED room. (I couldn't even fit all the beds in this shot.) Suffice it to say, if you sleep in this room when you visit the cabin, you will have lots of laughs to remember it by.
Mark relaxing in the living room.
We drove up the road a bit to the entrance to Bluewood, the local ski area. And yes, that is SNOW on the ground. In fact, we wanted to drive into the main ski area where the lodge is, but couldn't get through as the roads are still blocked due to the snow level.
One must open and close the gate when entering and leaving the cabin. Here I am getting the job done.
On the way back to Bud and Marilyn's house, the sun was in the right spot to see the Indian Head shadow on the hillside. I've never seen it so clearly before.
If you click on the picture above, you can read more clearly the Legend of the Indian Head.
On Monday we headed home to Oregon. It was so beautiful driving along the Columbia Gorge. Here you can see Mt. Hood in the distance as we drove west. The river is on our right.
There were a few barges in the river as well. And then soon we were back in Philomath. And be it ever so humble, there's no place like home!
