Goldendale, Washington - Revisited

The big sign on Highway 97 south of this small town in Washington State announced proudly: Welcome to Goldendale, The Golden Gate to the Evergreen State. This is just a pretty slogan to be, and this is the motto for the community as long as I can remember, and I go back for a while.

I was born in Goldendale 1953rd I went to elementary school, as it is still a school, now is a church. I remember using Highway 97 to run through the heart of the city. ThanTeenagers we used on the porch of the Old Hall Hotel to sit and go through the traffic observed. This is now a vacant lot and the highway runs along the edge of town.

Earlier there was a pool hall, The Club, for young people to hang out in and learn the game in a livable environment. Jim, the owner does not tolerate misconduct and we knew it. We have respect for Jim, because he told you what it was. Kids my age need to hear that.

What ever happened to the Star Theater? ManyAfternoons and evenings were spent there, watch the old Vincent Price movies. In fact, I saw my first film there. The Tingler! I can still remember how shocked I was. This was the place where one's hands with the girl who could keep you happy. Put your arm around her and then get out and experience your first true love. Just like in the movies.

Hours were spent trout fishing in the Little River Klicitat, Bloodgood Creek, Bowman Creek. A day trip to the Columbia River 20 miles to theSouth for a picnic, fishing or swimming. Maybe go a little further west to Horsethief Lake to spend the day.

The days were drove away in the sun at the pool. Long gone from its original location, but at least it was to another part of town and not easily forgotten .. moved Growing up without a pool to swim here, is incomprehensible. At least the way I remember it.

The winters spent skating on the frozen Little Klickitat River. Sledding on fairgroundsHill, Hickey-hopping behind the slow-moving car on the snow packed streets.

No, it was never a shortage of entertainment, while growing up in Goldendale.

I remember Radke engine, the Dodge dealer in the city when I was growing up. Man in this 68 Dart GTS on the showroom floor was an incredible experience for a car, crazy young man. A friend of mines father bought that the actual car and I finally got going with it! There was also a Chevrolet dealer there. If I remember correctly, it wascalled Sunset Chevrolet. I may be wrong, that one up. They did not know how the kids drooling over the new cars in the showroom, so we will not go into it much. There was never a Jeep dealer or a Ford dealer that I can remember. Now you can not buy a new car in Goldendale.

The adults were not leaving either. Since the Town Tavern, The Top was an inn, has the Rialto Club, The Evergreen Cafe, Cafe Simcoe, and the American Legion Hall, all within one block of each other. Tosober and Chow after a night downtown, they could gather at the Oasis cafe on the outskirts of the city. The Top-Hat and Simcoe They are the only two facilities of its kind now left in the city. The Simcoe is the only one in its original location.

I moved from Goldendale in 1972. The lure of big money working as a welder in the Puget Sound Region was too much to resist. I gave the home of my youth for over 35 years, while I have a life for myself in the city. My life was going wellbut I've always missed the pace of life there. The memories.

Now I have returned, perhaps to spend the rest of my life in this region. To die, as I was born. To set up the generations of relative peace.

Things have really changed here. It is not at all how I remember it. Standing in some of the exact same places I was almost 40 years ago is a powerful thing. When I went into the city, many memories were rekindled. Feelings that I experienced for years no longer reappeared. Sometimes Iwas almost overwhelmed by the flood of memories and emotions.

I do not think Goldendale is worse a place for a child growing up in today. Only different. Look from an adult point of view, things are becoming different. I think I need to get together with some of the young people, perhaps even the children of relatives that I lost so long ago to the contact, and get their perspective on growing up in here after the year 2000. More than likely, I would be completely elucidated.

The industry has come and goin this area. There were times when was aluminum manufacturing boom in the region. Lot's of good high-paying jobs. Then they are closed and gone, the good jobs. Goldendale Wa Real Estate was a hot topic for a while, even though the housing market has slowed in the last few years. There seems to be an influx of people over pension age that priority Goldendale real estate clients are now. Money from people in the city in search of a nice place toto retire.

The local newspaper The Sentinel Goldendale, is usually filled with local real estate ads. There is no shortage of property for purchase with the money. What's in the papers is a lack of help wanted ads.

Many sites promote this city as a tourist and sportsman's paradise. These are very informative web site explaining that the past, present and future of this small town from a different perspective than I'm able to. Mine is shaken by memories of childhoodthrough the face of a reality, for forty years in the future. The old adage "the more things change the more they stay the same" is really tested.

This city is back in Washington a long history. Much of it is my great-great-grandparents and their descendants. I am bound by the past, the success of Goldendale.

When a city in America deserves to be happy it is this. That is why I have decided to return for my golden years. I run several websites and have beenthe name of the city, my vitamin sales page. I just wanted a piece of Goldendale in the 2000's. I want to spend my money here. I do not want to involve myself as an adult in a dream as a child.