Gofirstclass
Well-Known Member
The next morning we had 27/31 miles to go to reach John Day Dam, then another 25/28 miles to reach The Dalles Dam. The wind was blowing but not like the day before. We got in and out of both dams on schedule then went to the marina at The Dalles. Getting in there is a bit tricky in a calm wind and can be a PITA in a strong breeze which we had. You have to enter the breakwater, make a hard left turn (going downwind) then make a 180* turn and get parallel to the side tie dock. I had called ahead to arrange for that dock to make it a bit easier. We got in, make the 180* turn and I nailed the backing around to side tie. You gotta love a good docking.
The nearest restaurants to the marina are about a mile away. None of us wanted to walk that distance (it was all uphill). I saw a family who appeared to be living in the marina parking lot in a beat up old motorhome. I talked to the mother and offered her $10 to give us a lift for that mile and she readily agreed.
After a great meal in a sports bar we were looking at having to walk back. Now, for most of you walking a mile is not a big deal. For me, just coming out of chemo treatment, walking a mile is a big deal. As we came out of the restaurant there was a couple in their 30's who came out behind us. I asked them if they would give us a lift to the marina and showed them my retired LEO ID card to show they would be safe. The wife looked at the husband then back at me and said "We'd be honored". Come to find out he was a deputy sheriff so he and I had something in common. When we got to the marina we invited them aboard for a drink and they readily agreed. The thin blue line held strong that night!
Here's a shot of Beachcomber at the dock in The Dalles Marina.
The nearest restaurants to the marina are about a mile away. None of us wanted to walk that distance (it was all uphill). I saw a family who appeared to be living in the marina parking lot in a beat up old motorhome. I talked to the mother and offered her $10 to give us a lift for that mile and she readily agreed.
After a great meal in a sports bar we were looking at having to walk back. Now, for most of you walking a mile is not a big deal. For me, just coming out of chemo treatment, walking a mile is a big deal. As we came out of the restaurant there was a couple in their 30's who came out behind us. I asked them if they would give us a lift to the marina and showed them my retired LEO ID card to show they would be safe. The wife looked at the husband then back at me and said "We'd be honored". Come to find out he was a deputy sheriff so he and I had something in common. When we got to the marina we invited them aboard for a drink and they readily agreed. The thin blue line held strong that night!
Here's a shot of Beachcomber at the dock in The Dalles Marina.