We have always wanted to live away from the hustle and bustle of a large city. My husband spent two years searching for some acreage with a view at a reasonable price. He drove up and down the scenic roads and hills of Clatskanie and Rainer as well as Longview, Kelso, Kalama and Woodland. Vancouver and Portland have Big City flavor we wanted to avoid. DJ discovered a small 2 acre area located in an "S" curve on Mountain View Road, above Kalama. Not prime but affordable, and 1000 feet above sea level. Flood, earthquake, mud slides are all areas of concern to us, but our home is situated on the solid rock side of the foot hills and it's a pretty safe bet that none of those will be our undoing. We worked at hedging our bet.
I know some people think living in a large city has much to offer. Lots of movie theaters, and choices for eating out and oh so many malls. But for us, to wake up every day and look out and not see graffiti and not hear horns and not have to smell exhaust day in and day out, makes living here a blessing not disguised. There is no comparison. Besides, we are going to retire in 10 years and now, those big city lights don't flash so bright anymore.
When I arrived, my excitement and anticipation was obvious. Just like a proud papa, DJ offered me the big tour of our little 2 acres. While I concede two acres is not much land to somebody who is used to living a life in rural Washington, for two city dwellers, its a hand full.This wooded area is just the place for us to play out that dream of being "country folk" and getting our hands dirty (and scratched, cut and broken) while we put down top soil, planted flowers, and a vegetable garden. Next DJ had to build a shed to hold all the extra belongings that came from our big house to this small, 30 year old mobile home which won't hold it all. Then came painting. Since my husband is allergic to paint fumes, I painted every outside surface of every building at our address. Carport, Pump-house, Mobile home, Storage shed, and Garden shed. We have only just begun. I wonder, can we keep this up? We are after all, in our 50's. The kids are all grown and live out of state.
Trees. Oh how we love trees. Owning land with so many trees is as good as living directly in the forest. This fall we discovered we had trees located in places which put us at risk. Risk of blow down, directly above our home. Sigh! We were faced with having 15 trees removed. And my husband had just undergone carpal tunnel surgery on both his wrists at the same time. Four days after his surgery, with him in braces, the trees had to come down. While he could not assist (much to his dismay) he still could flag cars and "chew the fat" while the trees were felled. Such a learning experience!
In my first trip to town, I walked around 1st street stopping at all the stores, trying to memorize who did what where. I met one of the hair stylists in town, Karen who owns Da-Kar's Salon, and Jan who is Kalama's librarian. I met Gretchen at Kalama Telephone, Dave the Post Master,and Penny from the Kalama Cafe. Every building I walked into onmy first day's tour had friendly, smiling faces. "Welcome toKalama."
I know I can "go to town" and stop in to chat with any of these people just about any time I feel I am in need of some local hobb-knobbing. After all, where else can somebody do laundry and have an incredible home made sandwich like they can at Sherry's Corner while passing the time waiting for the dryers to finish so they can go home. Where else can somebody be shown special painting techniques for ceramics while enjoying friendly talks with Patti the owner of Et Cetera Ceramics, who shares a wealth of artistic skill with her patrons.
While the store owners in Portland are wintering in Florida, the store owners in Kalama are tending shop and getting to know their customers first hand. Planning on moving to the big city? You can have it! Give me a life in the Cascades at the Columbia river. I'll take retirement in Kalama any time, hard work and all, and be glad to get it.
This article was originally published in the 2/24/00 issue of the Woodland/Kalama CommunityNews Reprinted by permission of the author.
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