Hood River Real Estate Update

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.  

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.  

$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.   

There are many places to get coffee in Hood River.  Here are the locations and info on some when you need a cup of coffee or espresso.

Acre Organic Coffeehouse  1235 State St. Hood River, OR 541-387-2273

Dog River Coffee 411 Oak St. Hood River, OR 541-386-4502 www.dogrivercoffee.com

Doppio Coffee 310 Oak St Hood River, OR  541-386-3000 www.doppiocoffeelounge.com/

Dutch Bros. Coffee  1691 12th Street, Hood River, OR 541-399-3686 www.dutchbros.com

Ground Espresso 12 Oak Street, Hood River, OR 541-386-4442  www.groundespressobarandcafe.com

Starbucks 1040 E. Marina Way  Hood River, OR 541-386-3165  also in Safeway Cascade Ave www.starbucks.com 

10 Speed Coffee  1412 13th St Hood River, OR  541-386-3165

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 Ruddy Duck is a newer family owned department store located at 504 Oak St. in downtown Hood River. This store carries a wide variety of men's and women's clothing, accessories, shoes, furniture, and gifts. The store offers many products that are created environmentally responsibly from organic fibers such as hemp, bamboo, etc. Locally made items are carried when possible. Some of the products they carry are made by Of the Earth, Bamboosa, City Lights, WESC, GOOD SOCIETY, TRIKO, Loco Lindo, Blue Canoe and many more. After you stop in at Ruddy Duck to shop be sure and go next door for an ice cream treat at Hood River's Landmark "Mike's Ice Cream".

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.   

A Bungalow style home is usually described as a one and a half story dwelling. Most bungalows in the United States were constructed between1880 through 1930.   Bungalows typically have a low architectural profile. They were built to have most of the living space on one level. They comprised both natural and artistic elements along with being practical and affordable.  Bungalows were also known for open living areas,  built-in furniture such as china hutches,  large porches, simple exterior lines, and exposed roof rafters.  These homes were available in kit form from Sears Robuck & Co., Montgomery Wards-Wardway Homes, among other companies for very reasonable prices. These kit homes were delivered to your lot with everything needed to build your home.

Bungalow style homes are still popular today and one place you can get plans to build a bungalow is from the Bungalow Company in Bend, Oregon. Another resource on Bungalow style homes is the American Bungalow.

This is a picture of a 1910 Bungalow in Stevenson, WA. that we used to own many years ago. It was in very poor condition when we purchased it, without even a foundation. My husband hand dug a basement under it then we raised the house about 2 feet and built basement walls under it. The house faced south so he wanted to take advantage of passive solar gain by installing the glass across the basement level and taking in what had been the front porch.

 This is another bungalow that we owned. The non conforming attached garage was added by the people we sold it to.

Below are a few other examples of Bungalow style homes located in Hood River, Oregon

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.