COWEEMAN RIVER TRAIL HIKE

I went to bed last night thinking of the dike trail at Kelso’s Tam O’Shanter Park; so, when I woke up this morning, I decided to do that … I haven’t been there in 2 years; last time I was there, Bob and I walked it with our little grandson (who is not so ‘little’ anymore). I miss them both so much ☹

I also decided to pop in at Lowe’s and see what kind of drills would be available/suitable for me to use handily 😉

I found one!

It may not look like much, but it will do what I need it to do 😊

I bought a little drill this morning.

Crossing the bridge from Longview to Kelso (near the Longview Courthouse), I saw a Bald-Headed Eagle sitting in one of the riverside trees watching the river; so, it is fishing the river, like the sea lions 😉

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/01/sea-lions-riverside-dike-hike.html)

I parked in the middle parking lot of Tam O’Shanter Park, and climbed the access trail to the dike’s graveled trail … and began to reacquaint myself with the sights, and sounds I have neglected these past 25 months of solo lobo adjustments.

And, seriously; no one I talked with, seemed to know which river this was … or what trail (though it is an actual 4 mile hiking trail) this was (I researched it when I got home to find out the correct river and hike 😉).

Though Bob and I had been coming here off and on for decades, I always referred to it as “the Tam O’Shanter Dike Hike” … and Bob never corrected me; though I am sure he knew which river this was.

Bob knew everything about Washington and Oregon: e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.

He never got lost – because he always knew where he was. All I had to do was describe where I wanted to go, and he would get me there – without my use of correct terminology 😉 He knew the landscapes. And he knew the correct names, because when he discussed them with other people, he would use the correct terminology.

Bob humored me – a lot: my quirkiness did not annoy him.

But now, I am learning how to get around on my own. And I am wising up as to what is what, and where that what is located.

I noticed that this river does not get muddy, like the Cowlitz, in Lexington, does.

That is a plus, in this hike’s favor.

Elohim blessed me, and I was able to start and end my walk without getting wet 😊

Bufflehead Duck pair.

Bufflehead duck. Male.

A fork in the river ...

The river fork.

A Mallard pair. And a picnic spot on the dike trail.

Bachelor Drake. I teased him that he should fly over to the Pacific Way Trail on 48^th, in Longview, and find himself a mate 😉

The river forks again, by the picnic spot.

(https://tdn.com/lifestyles/the-tranquil-coweeman-has-a-unique-history/article_e195ab70-4993-11e3-8666-001a4bcf887a.html)

Duck Nesting Site.

A lot of geese swim this river; I’ll have to come back later on, and see if they also nest here.

Coweeman River Trail Locale layout.

Trying to figure out exactly which trail hike this is ... NO ONE seems to know!

The Three Rivers Mall, this side of the freeway.

I didn’t walk any further; I only did about a 2.5 mile walk this morning. If I had continued, the trail would have taken me past the Mall, across the freeway, past DQ … and under several I-5 overpasses before I reached the tail end at Talley Way N (which is an Industrial Business Park).

Bob & Precious, when we last walked the entire length: March 2007

I don’t think I’ll ever go that far on my own, again – not because I can’t, but because with all the transit evidence and graffiti on the overpass concrete that was evidenced the last time Bob and I went that far … I would not feel comfortable going it alone, without a being part of a group of hikers.

I no longer walk with a big, tall man – or a long, husky wolf.

I walk alone now.

Plus, as the trail passes under several I-5 overpasses – and flanks the busy freeway, the exhaust fumes would irritate my asthmatic lungs … that are 14 years older than the last times they had traveled that way.

Coweeman River Trail: lower end, on the way to Talley Way Industrial Park tail end.

I have to be more careful, now. 

Bringing my thoughts back from past memories, I pulled my eyes off the graveled trail fading into the near distance …

… left the graveled dike trail; and was lazily walking back to the car, when I spotted this gorgeous deep purple leaf on the sidewalk.

I love finding purple leaves; they are so rare in these parts.

A definite repeat.

When I got home, I searched the shed for screw sleeves (found some), and got busy charging my little drill.

Had an emotional moment at home digging through Bob's toolbox in the shed.

Also cleared the tool box of some things Kerry may be able to use.

Drill plugged in.

Bob had BIG drills, that were heavy and bulky (he was a big man with big hands); so, in the Spring of 2019, I cleared the shed of all Bob’s saws, drills, sledge hammers, axes, ect.: everything that was to heavy or bulky for me to use … and stuff I can’t use here in the Park. I felt a little like I was giving Bob’s life away – but I knew the things I gave to Kerry were going to a good home, where they would be used and appreciated. I don’t think Bob’s son, Alex, will use any of it; he just wanted it, so I gave him quite a bit before I said, “Okay, that’s enough now, no more. There is still Stacey, Alyna & Azariah to think about, too; they may want some of what’s left”. That pissed him off – and I haven’t heard from him since. The silence is golden.

Tomorrow, I’ll see if the drill has been charged enough – and if I am brave enough – to tackle the window shade, and get it in place. My main concern is somehow ruining the plaster on the wall, and making a mess of something that seems so simple to do.

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/01/i-can-do-this-i-hope.html)