Oregon Hospitality at its Best

June 14-18, 2007

From West Linn, OR to Pasco, WA
(Charbonneau Park, near Pasco,WA)

Always a favorite stop on sojourns north is Camp von Tagen---our private backyard RV space at Fritz and Dee von Tagen’s in West Linn, OR, just south of Portland. We ‘camped’ for 4 days enjoying their hospitality as well as several other treats.


First, a lunch with Janice’s Aunt Helen and cousin Anne, followed by a hike in grey weather with Anne and her husband, Tom. The hike, chosen by Tom, was in the Columbia Gorge---a 4-5 mile hike to Triple Falls. Carly stayed behind.
















On our final day, high school classmate Don Carlsen, and his lady-friend Cindy joined Fritz, Dee, Janice and I for some wine tasting at Lake Oswego Hills Winery, owned by Jerry Marshall, a friend of the von Tagen’s. Jerry ran through about 10 or so ‘tastes’ for us. Later that evening, another highschool classmate, Denny Young, wife Jan (of Salem) and his parents Deke and Fran, from Walnut Creek, joined us for dinner. Four old geezers, Fritz, Don, Denny and I, reminiscing about high school adventures together.


One of the highlights of our West Linn visit was an opportunity to see Fritz’s model train collection, dating back to 1915, it is comprised of approximately 1600 individual pieces that include about 300 sets. All of the pieces are in mint or new condition. It is simply unbelievable. This year’s national model RR convention will be sending 3 busloads of attendees to review the collection---the highlight of their convention. Wow!!! Fritz and I turned back the clock a bit and enjoyed playing with the trains. Take a look. (Click here)

(Oh, by the way--we bought a new camera at Costco. A very small one that fits on a flat car.)