We tried to sneak away for a few days, to recharge our batteries before the Monterey whirlwind. The Martin family spent four days at Morrow County OHV Park in central Oregon. With six motorcycles and a scooter, the days were spent cruising and crashing on one-track trails; at night we gathered around the barbecue pit and enjoyed good Oregon Pinot Noir.
We brought the Suburban and the Range Rover Classic, so towards dusk on the second day we took the Rover on the “okay for Jeeps” trails. (Nothing like the embrace of Euro-leather luxury while scrambling up steep, rocky trails.)
Then it was back to Portland for the next installment of “Cars in the Park” at the “Allure of the Automobile”exhibition at the Portland Art Museum. Porsche was the featured marque, and Alex decided that she’d like a 911SC to replace the red one we sold several years ago. Good choice, but upon discussion, she opted for her college education after all.
Sunday was a bifurcated day, with the morning spent at the surprisingly nice Columbia River Concours. In a sylvan setting , with the cars parked in front of the Officer’s Quarters at Fort Vancouver, the quality of the automobiles was quite good and the crowd nicely sized.
The day ended with an “immersive” Columbia River experience. For the first time this wet, nasty summer, we decided to put our 21’ tournament wake-board boat into the water. We had it fully serviced first, then put into dry storage. The boat was just being put in the water as we arrived; as we were cleaning it out prior to pushing off, we noticed that we were sinking!
The shop had neglected to put the drain plug back into the hull before sending the boat to the moorage. Rather than emulate Lloyd Bridges in “Sea Hunt,” and dive under the boat hoping to screw in the drain plug I had found in the cockpit, we quickly shuttled the boat back to the lift, had it raised and drained, then continued on with our adventure.
Now, it’s a countdown to Monterey. We’ll see you there – everywhere!
