Columbia Gorge Real Estate Blog

The Hood River County Library is located at 502 State St. in Hood River. The library, constructed of red brick, was built in the spring of 1914 with a fund of $17,500 secured from the Carnegie Library fund.  The library standing as it does among a grove of ancient oak trees, is a source of pride to the city and people of Hood River.  Several years ago the Historic Library was remodeled and a new addition built. The Hood River County Library has beautiful reading areas, public computer stations, conference rooms, and childrens library downstairs with kid's programs. There are also outdoor seating areas with paths, pavers, and wonderful landscaping. The library is certainly an asset to be enjoyed by the Hood River community.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

The White Salmon Spring Fest will be held MAY 30 - JUNE 1 in Rheingarten Park in White Salmon.

Festival Hours:

Friday         5:00 p.m. - 12 midnight

Saturday     9:00 a.m.-2:00a.m.        

Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. with Grand Opening ceremonies at  Noon on the stage.

Sunday      10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Activities include a Parade, craft and food booths, a chili cook off competition, a talent show, and plenty of music and  entertainment.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

I was interested to learn that Oregon has a per capita Carbon Score of 45. Oregon has the 28th highest resident population. Each Oregon resident produces 12 Tons of Carbon Dioxide each year. The total Carbon Score of Oregon is #41. This means Oregon is the #41st highest Carbon Dioxide polluting state in the United States. I found this information on the site: eredux

This is a very informational site and you can learn a lot about all 50 U.S. states and how they rate in carbon output, being environmentally friendly. You can also look up any city by zipcode and they have information on starting blogs in your neighborhood, demographics, and more.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

Underwood is located in Skamania County, Washington. It is west of Bingen and North of WA SR 14 after you cross the White Salmon River.  I have always thought Underwood would be a nice place to live. It is only about 10 minutes to downtown Hood River.  Underwood is a small rural community of about 976 people. The climate in Lower Underwood is similar to White Salmon and Hood River. As you travel Cook Underwood Road the elevation climbs and Upper Underwood is in the snow zone. Mill A and Willard get more snow and rain due to the elevation and being farther west.

Lower Underwood has a few streets with Circle Drive making a loop on the bluff with beautiful views. There is a U.S. Post Office, Community Center(meeting place of Gorge Homelearners- every Tuesday from 12:00-3:00 late Oct thru April), Park with play equipment, tennis courts, picnic tables and a Fire Station (a new fire station is currently under construction after the Underwood Fire last summer) in Lower Underwood.  Cook-Underwood Road continues up the hill climbing in elevation as it goes. There are more homes along both sides of the road, many with beautiful views of the gorge, Columbia River, Mt. Hood, and the surrounding orchards.

I took the pictures above from a viewpoint turnout in upper Underwood.

Continuing on Cook-Underwood Road will take you to the small communities of Willard and Mill A. Willard was home to Broughton Lumber Flume, a nine-mile long, 1000-foot drop, wooden lumber slide. For decades, the Broughton Lumber Company harvested timber in the mountains, sending their logs to the riverside mill. The mill has been closed for several years. The Flume was closed in 1986 and is slowly rotting away but can still be seen from Highway 14. The 1967 TV episode of Lassie made the flume famous as the popular collie floated down the chute to the Broughton Lumber Mill. Willard also adjoins the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. There is a County Park Big Cedars nearby.  The small community of Cook, Washington, is located just west (downstream) of the mouth of the Little White Salmon River and is home to the Little White Salmon National Fish Hatchery. There is a public elementary school in Mill A with 77 students, grades K-8. Mill A is also home to the USGS Lab. I thought this site looked interesting: Underwood Washington's Environmental Network.

Here are pictures of the Community Center, Park, Old Fire Hall & Post Office.

Below is the Little White Salmon River near the USGS Lab and a part of the old Flume at the entrance to Willard.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

I am serious. I absolutely love the way cedar shingle siding looks, feels and even smells while installing it. Installing cedar shingle siding is truly one of my favorite construction tasks and I have installed a lot of cedar shingle siding over the past 17 years. The price for clear #1 shingles has at least doubled in price since 3 years ago. We are getting ready to install shingles on our most recent project and the best price I can find for vertical cut #1's is $240.00 per square. Ouch! 3 years ago we paid $120.00 a square for primo #1's. We hand nail each shingle we install at 6" to the weather. We have used corner boards on the corners in the past but our last project we wove all the corners and now we will never go back to the corner board method. I really think cedar shingles make a house special! Here are pictures of some of the homes we've built and used cedar shingles for siding.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.  

 GORGE WINDFEST 2008 is COMING June 28-29  at The Event Site in Hood River, Oregon

This will be a windsurfing demo weekend. At the annual Gorge Windfest you'll be able to demo the latest gear all weekend. This popular event is hosted by the Columbia Gorge Windsurfing Association (CGWA). You'll find a beach full of sails and boards to test drive on the water along with a full schedule of free clinics for all abilities.  Free introductory lessons will be offered by a local windsurfing school. (limited space for lessons, so call ahead for a reservation.) Plus you never know who will stop by, last year Robby Naish was on hand to hang out, talk gear and sail with the crowd.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.   

$585,000        RUSTIC MEETS MODERN      LOG HOME on 1+acre

This home has been meticulously restored including the following new: patio, roof, skylights, gas furnace, septic system, electrical, drywall, paint, bathrooms, kitchen with tile and top of the line appliances, refinished wood floors, refinished exterior log siding and new cedar shingles on gable dormers. Expert craftsmanship and attention to detail. Enjoy the gardens, sunny yard, and mountain view close to town.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.   

The Columbia River is the fourth largest river in the United States and the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean from North America. The Columbia River was known as Wimahl or Big River to the Chinook speaking natives who lived on the west end closest to the Pacific Ocean. The Columbia River begins in  the Canadian province of British Columbia, runs through Washington State, then forms the border between Washington and Oregon before emptying into the Pacific. The river is 1,243 miles long and has a drainage basin of 258,000 sq. miles. It is a major estuary in the United States. Fish that call the river home are sturgeon, searun cutthroat, bottom fish, salmon and steelhead.

Many people enjoy watersports on the river especially in Hood River known as the Windsurfing Capitol of the World. In Hood River the winds are predominately from the west and you are are likely to see the colorful sails and kites dancing across the water many times of the year. In the western gorge-Cascade Locks, OR and Stevenson, WA. the winds are predominately from the east. Here you'll also find good sailing and kiteboarding.

The Columbia River is named after the Columbia Rediviva, the first ship from the western world known to have traveled up the river.  The river's heavy flow, and its large elevation drop over a relatively short distance, give it tremendous potential for the generation of electricity. It is the largest hydroelectric producing river in North America with fourteen hydro electric dams in the U.S. and Canada.

After dams were constructed along the river for flood control and power production, the flow of the river changed. Records kept since 1878 show that flows were much higher in the spring and lower in winter before dam construction. In addition, the velocity of the water moving down the river was significantly greater before dam construction began in the 1930s. 

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.   

I took these pictures yesterday from upper Underwood, Washington in Skamania County. This is the view looking east down The Gorge at the Columbia River and Hood River across to the south. This is near the location of last summers fire that took out 6 homes. The terrain is very steep and many trees were removed while trying to contain the fire, thus opening up the view even more. You can see the Hood River Bridge in the distance and a barge making it's way west up the river. Also Wells Island and what is known as The Hook are in the center of the top picture.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.   

My daughter Sarah is graduating next week with a degree in Applied Science & Photography. She is an excellent photographer and is available now to clients in the gorge for engagements, weddings, senior portraits, family pictures, and more. She has a unique style, loves photographing people and is able to capture personality well. You can view some of her recent work at Sarah McAllister Photography and on her blog McAllister Photography. She is also talented at photographing buildings and landscapes.   

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and  ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.