So my younger sister, Betty, is one of these "Tourbook" people.
She studied over all there is to be seen in Vancouver, WA. One point of interest to her was "the old apple tree".
She and Kate wanted to see and take a picture of the old apple tree.
First, though, we enjoyed the Saturday Farmers' Market.
Kate in veggie heaven...
Falafel and chicken shawarma for Gram G. Ate lots of falafel in Israel several years back. Chick peas, please...
A parrot or two just hanging out....
Betty trying out tree hugging...That's her....the tiny white speck under the tree.
On to finding "the old apple tree". First find the old apple tree park somewhere along the river road. Make that Columbia River Drive. Somewhere along the 5 mile walking path.
Gram G still in not an apt finder of a new location.
We came to the far end of the 5 mile path. Pulled in to walk along the Columbia River.
Took time to admire Ilchee, the "Moon Girl".
Her plaque reads:
"She was strong enough to paddle her own canoe."
May history record of Grandma G:
"She was strong enough to paddle her own canoe."
These humans are harebrained....
Vancouver has its share of palm trees....
A cormorant waits and watches in the forest fire smog along the Columbia River with the I-5 bridge in the background.
Oh, yah, the old apple tree....after not having found the park and having walked along the river we headed back towards town the way we came. We stopped at one picnic area to read signs, but they said nothing of the park. So heading more into town we past a low wooden plaque on the right side of the road.......
AND....kept driving on.....the driver (me) was tired and had enough for the day. Anyway, Kate said there was a barrier across the entrance....through sighs of disappointment. Philosophizing seems to sooth Kate. She was soon verbally analyzing her unfulfillment with many "well this; well that; it's OK; there was a barrier....", but still the sighs slipped out. Somehow one got the notion that this episode was not completely over.
You need to understand that this was Saturday afternoon. Kate and Betty were leaving on Wednesday. The days in between were slated for the beach. Every so often during the next 3 days those sighs would escape from Kate as she pondered why we missed the park, why there was a barrier across the road, why we couldn't see the tree, why the driver didn't turn around to explore the situation, perhaps life would go on even if she didn't get to see and photo the tree, maybe it would have been a disappointment anyway, but how does one know if one didn't get the chance to judge for oneself.
Angie was our "chappie" for the beach trip. During those moments of sighs emanating from Kate she would assure us that she will be glad to take us to see the apple tree when we return to Vancouver on Tuesday. However when Tuesday came and we rolled into Vancouver the time was too late in the day for more excursions. Chappie, would, though, drive us downtown VC before taking the great aunts to the airport on Wednesday.
Most of Tuesday evening as my sisters were packing there was much discussion of whether Angie was up for getting up early to do more sightseeing, whether it was worthwhile to drive opposite the direction of the airport just to see a questionable apple tree, whether life as we know it would go on if the apple tree was never viewed, perhaps it is good to keep something to see for the next visit here.
We went to bed resigned that viewing the historical tree not meant to happen.
Wednesday morning comes!! With it a text from Angie, "Are we ladies ready for one more day of adventure in VC?" We should be at her house at 9:30. The great aunties wanted to visit a shop....
On to the highlight of our expectations!!
I understand the tree was struck by lightning and split in two sometime in the past. I don't know if it still bears apples.
These ladies and their photo fix needs. AHHHH....the sweet taste of fulfillment!! All's well that ends well!
This has been a good 5 "the old apple tree" days in the life of Grandma G.
"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
(Proverbs 25:11)
Thursday, Oct 5th, Berklee's Birthday morning! It's a day out starting with a trip downtown to the Children's Museum.
Time for a few presents and a quick B-day wish before bed. Good night! 
