Historic Hood River
Cory at the Games
6-5-2018
Notes
Sometimes history is in color! This great early kiteboarding image features Cory Roeseler at the 1997 Timberland Gorge Games. Cory and his father hold one of the key patents for kiteboarding, and “Kiteski” gear introduced many Gorge locals to the new sport starting in 1994. We have some of his early gear on display at the History Museum. One of his early kites is flying in the back, and will soon be promoted to the atrium where he will be catching some air off the atrium rail.
Tina
I have learned so much wonderful history about Hood River from this site, and always enjoy and appreciate the comments from the "regulars" providing all the personal stories and detail. I imagine a different group of folks will need to weigh in with stories on this photo. It sure is incredible, though, to think of how much little old Hood River has influenced the world, from agriculture to recreation!
L.E.
Yes Tina, my first thought was, to let a different group of folks comment on this photo, with their stories.
It is a beautiful photo, and I have been thinking about it this morning.
Having grown up in a ranching and logging environment in the Gorge, this invasion of outsiders who had "too much money and too much time to play", was gut wrenching. They despised cows and cutting trees and I despised the changes these "boardhead" people brought to HR and the Gorge. They brought disruption to the locals who were still toiling away at making a living.
But time and age changes and mellows most of us.
It didn’t take long, and I had friends who, as soon as they got off work, were heading for the river with their boards. One day, as my husband and I were driving slowly through the congestion, on a windy day at the hatchery, my husband, who grew up water skiing on the Columbia, said, "I think I would love to do that and it is a lot cleaner than a motor boat"
I have come to enjoy the bright little flecks of color bouncing and sailing across the river. Some of the changes I still don’t care for, but some of the changes I have enjoyed, and reap the benefits.
HHR certainly has taught us that history never stands still, and you are right about Hood River and its amazing influence in so many aspects.
I think of Arlen saying his grandfather hated to see the road paved to Lost Lake, because then hoards of people would be traveling there.
Changes. 😊
L.E.
I forgot to add that most of them still despise cows and logging but that is probably all part of changing history.
Arlen Sheldrake
well said L.E. every generation goes through some gut wrenching changes…..my generation of HR folk went from "damn wind is blowing again" to a very busy downtown every day of the week… while I don’t embrace all the changes, like you, some I appreciate.
Tina
Well put, LE and Arlen. I can only imagine how it felt to have your town overrun by outsiders. As a newcomer of 20 years, even I feel like I’ve seen an awful lot of changes! When I get frustrated with the crowds, I do remind myself that Hood River’s tourism demographic is a pretty good one–they tend to recreate in a natural, non-polluting way, with watersports, hiking, biking and so on. I guess we can thank that pesky wind for HR not becoming the jet-boat capital of the west!
Judy
I have lived in HR for 52 years. Now I get upset when friends say they will not go downtown – too busy, too many people etc. HR was "dying on the vine" until the windsurfers found us! I enjoy downtown & going to the river to watch the kite boarders etc. Some people just will not change. Just give it a chance!