Greg’s Great Aunt Elaine passed away so we went to her funeral in Hood River. I always admired how well she remembered us and her family. Whenever we stopped in to see her she knew everyone’s name and knew what all the kids and families were up to. I only got to meet Greg’s grandma once before she passed so Elaine kinda was like a second grandma, we stopped to visit her as much as we could on our trips to Oregon.

When we were planning to go there for the funeral we tried to find a hotel but everyone of them were booked because of a Wind Surfing festival going on there. We ended up staying in Elaine’s house which to be honest I thought might be a little creepy but it wasn’t. As we went through her things I learned so much about her, her family and Greg’s mom. She had so many photos and I could of stayed there for a week looking at and learning about them.

Some of the things I learned was that Greg’s great grandpa, Elaine’s and Greg’s grandma’s father was a police chief in Hood River. He also helped establish a branch of the LDS church in Hood River. There was a scrap book of newspaper clippings from the paper when he was police chief which I believe was in the 50s. I read that thing for at least an hour. The crimes, stories and images were just fascinating to me. Apparently they had a lot of fruit thefts. There were several articles warning people not to leave fruit out or in there car because it would be stolen.

I also learned that Elaine lived in the same home for 80 years! I still can’t believe that one. Her parents bought the house in 1937 for $100. Amazing. She kept everything meticulous. All her clothing was hung in bags, like you get form the dry cleaners. Blankets and other items were wrapped in tissue. All her shoes were in the shoe boxes. She also still had many of her parents items. Parts of the home were like a time capsule. LaRee, my mother in law graciously let me have some items. I got some of the hats, a blanket, some of the vintage costume jewelry for Jaelee and I and coolest of all was an old camera that was in mint condition. More than anything though I cherish the time there learning about the family and hearing stories from Greg’s mom about her childhood.

(She didn’t want to come out for this photo because she was still in her curlers, LOL)

(There were so many beautiful photos. This is of Elaine and Greg’s grandma Arvella (not sure of the spelling – LaRee help me here :))

(Photos from the 1290s)

(Loved this goofy one of the sisters)

(One of my favorite photos I found, Greg’s great grandfather in his uniform with goofy glasses on)

(The last snaps of Elaine’s house. That she lived in for 80 years, still can’t believe that)

(What a view she had of Mt Hood)

(And just down the road a beautiful view of Mt Rainier)