Blame Hood River — Or Not

By Bruce Ludwig

Written en plein air, in Hood River, Oregon

Hood River is a seemingly quaint little town nestled at the foot of a beautiful valley. Full disclosure – I live here. It has much to offer. Recreation, arts, excellent food, and outstanding beer and wines are but a few of its calling cards. Little shops featuring active wear, bicycles, kayaks, and windsurfing gear give the visitor a sampling of the kinds of recreation awaiting them. In fact Hood River not only hosts thousands of wind surfers each year, it is a jumping off place for a myriad of other outdoor activities. Recreation aside, people visit here for a variety of reasons. Whatever draws them here, most find the setting idyllic, and many plot ways to move here permanently.

I like it here well enough. Hood River’s been good to me in some ways – in some ways bad. Here is where I lost 75 pounds; where my love for outdoor activity was rekindled after more than 25 years; where new talents were spawned; where integrity cost me my job.

Newcomers might want to approach Hood River with caution. Housing is expensive; jobs are scarce, well paying jobs scarcer still. Many shops and restaurants struggle to keep their businesses viable. Some fail. The battle over Hood River as a recreational Mecca, or as a center for business and industry, rages on. Years of municipal mismanagement have led to cuts in services and an uncertain future. Full disclosure – I was stuck in that managerial morass.

Today the sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and kites and sails abound. Dogs are walked, coffee shops are bustling, and shoppers crowd the sidewalks. There’s an energy here that’s difficult to express. Those who live, work, or play here either feed the energy or resent it altogether. It’s a great place to live. I can’t deny it, although sometimes I try.

I love Hood River. I hate it too. It’s not really hate; blame probably. I sometimes blame Hood River for the bad things: misfortune and tragedy. I’ve had my share of happiness here, as well as misfortune. Regretfully, it’s tragedy that stands out. Is it because of Hood River that my wife was struck by a car? Or is it because of Hood River that she progresses in her lengthy recovery? I could waste my time wondering, but I already know. It’s neither and it’s both. She could have suffered her traumatic brain injury when I was fat in another place, another time. On the other hand, if Fate had not aligned my destiny with Hood River, her tragic accident might not have happened.

I’m grateful to Hood River, its people really. They have been generous, supportive, helpful, friendly, and in a word, incredible. Perhaps Hood River makes me schizophrenic, perhaps I only think I am. I do know this: I wouldn’t trade Hood River for any other place despite its drawbacks. It’s where I’ve found new friends, new talents, new challenges, new energy, and now new hope. Full disclosure – this place warms my heart.