Letters

Favorite hangout disappointing 30 years later

, Feb 10, 2010, Updated Feb 17, 2010

Back in August I brought my family to Estacada following a reunion.

I told them about the beauty of the Clackamas River and the great walking trail that been added along Lakeshore Drive. I grew up in a house on the corner of Forest and Lakeshore. I told the kids how we lived across the street from "The Rock" and some people would even jump off to swim in the river. I was excited to share the beauty with them.

When we arrived, I was horrified by the garbage everywhere. I thought someone’s garbage can must have spilled and been blown around, even into the river. That was nothing compared to the foul-mouthed people (some were teenagers) transacting what could've been both a drug deal and prostitution. They appeared to have a semi-permanent residence there among the trees.

My heart sank. "This is where you grew up? Ugh! Let's get outta here!" my kids chimed in unison. I was embarrassed and saddened by what had once been beautiful and uplifting.

Diana Savage Bird

Class of 1984

Facebook	Digg	Del.icio.us
Newsvine	Stumbleupon	Reddit