RYDERWOOD

A few days ago, I saw a house on the internet that piqued my interest.

This morning I woke up wanting to eat lunch at the Little Crane Restaurant, in Vader … and thought I’d take a drive further along the road, to Ryderwood, to talk to some of the people that live there; and gather info about life in the community.

Bob and I had considered buying a house there, about seven years ago – the drawback was internet and cell service: there wasn’t any; and that would be a deal-breaker today, as well.

So, that is what I did.

The getting there was slow going, as traffic was held up twice along the route: once, at the junction of Virginia Way/Columbia Heights roads – where two police SUV’s with flashing lights pulled a rehab vehicle over; and about half an hour later, when traffic was held up behind a garbage truck, before it finally turned off Westside Highway, onto Cook’s Ferry Road.

2 cops stopped traffic on Virginia Way-Columbia Heights junction; because of a car repo. Lights flashing, the whole shmo.

Vader is about half an hour from Longview when traffic is flowing smoothly; Ryderwood is 45 minutes away.

Vader is in Lewis County … Ryderwood is in Cowlitz County: the boundary line between the two old communities snakes backwards.

Checking out a house in Ryderwood.

I really liked what I saw on the internet.

Ryderwood is a 55+/retirement community at the end of the road, past Vader.

When I reached Vader, it was lunch time … so, I pulled into the diner there, and placed an order – and read my book and drank coffee while waiting for it 😉

Little Crane Diner in Vader.

Chili Burger ... lunch and Supper.

After I finished lunch, I drove to Ryderwood.

I like the area.

I like the Community – a very strong county small-town vibe 😊

I like the way the town was designed, and the streets laid out.

The people there, are generally friendly.

I talked to several people gathered at the Post office, shooting the breeze: I learned that there is only once Internet Server, CenturyLink (disappointed to hear that); and several Cell Phone Servers (I hoped my Cell Server was available).

I made friends quickly today 😊

I drove the few streets, and liked what I saw of the house that interests me.

I like what I saw of it online (LOTS of windows with a wide-open view); and I like what I saw standing before it, in Ryderwood, this afternoon. It needs a new roof, and a paint job … but that’s typical of seller’s (except for me: whoever gets my house, will get a very good deal). But the grassy front lawn was small and manageable; and there were graveled areas behind the house that would work well for potted plants, and a small container garden.

I believe I could be happy living there.

Ryderwood is a county community at the tail end of Highway 506 – 45 minutes from Longview: that’s no biggie. We drove that distance from Cathlamet to Longview, decades ago.

Ryderwood is at the tail end of the blacktop; the road literally ends in Ryderwood.

‘Where the Blacktop Ends’ song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5347wMozv2c

‘County Roads’ song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5yTD8wupeQ

Deer roam freely in Ryderwood – they are everywhere: in the yards, in the alleyways, in the streets … they will literally lay down in the middle of the road and stop traffic.

Deer roam freely here ...

Deer, bear, cougar, and foxes ... life in Ryderwood, would not be boring.

When I got back to Longview, I stopped at my Internet Server’s place of business and told them I was thinking of moving, and asked if they did business in Ryderwood: they said “no: we have had requests to make connection there, but it would be too expensive.”

Well, c.r.a.p.

It would be too expensive for me to make a connection with CenturyLink for their unreliable spotty, and all too often, non-existent ‘service’.

Looks like Ryderwood may be off the table as far as country living goes. I will get good Cell reception; but not good Internet reception.

I then drove to my Cell Server and found that they do have a connection in Ryderwood – a very good, strong, reception.

But the Internet connection is a big issue with me: I need internet availability to continue with my Blog. I honestly would not mind letting go of internet as far as FB bitching goes … but my Blog is helpful to other widows; I’m not sure I want to let that go – I remember how hard it was for me, as a new widow, and how scary it can be to make those steps forward.

My Blog is helpful to those seeking encouragement, and strength, to go on.

But, though I have pulled Ryderwood off my ‘Home Seeking List’ … the house in Ryderwood has held my thoughts captive all long: the internet issue is what’s deviling me.

It been a constant brain tease.

Maybe Ryderwood is not as {off} the List, as I think it is.

Maybe the internet isn’t that important to my life anymore.

I only got the internet, and a computer, to stay in touch with family: and they have cut me loose after Bob’s spirit left Earth; is the internet really a ‘necessity’ at this point in my life?

Maybe my Blog has run its purpose.

Maybe my time would be better put to use elsewhere, doing other things in this growth spurt I’m engaged in; living fully in the moment.

If the thoughts of that house, and the community, in Ryderwood continue to prick my thoughts – maybe I’ll have to rethink things and shift gears.

HELP ME, Yeshua.

‘Just Give It To G-d’ song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBldegpMVDs