Outdoor Report: Memories of growing up in in “God’s Country” with my dad

By ROB DEHARPPORT/for The Herald  —  Last week Stephen Weber, my friend from Westfir, met me at Crescent Lake for a nice hike along the north shore of Crescent Lake. It’s a hike that, a couple of years ago, I walked regularly. Our walk went to the Boy Scout camp and back to Simax Beach. Shame on me for not maintaining that walking routine! The route can begin at Crescent Lake Resort or Simax Beach Day Use Area. It’s one of my favorites for many reasons.

Stephen and I share an interest in local history, specifically of Judge John Breckenridge Waldo and the outdoors in general. One, being my family has a long history of enjoying Crescent Lake. My parents were active in the Oakridge/Westfir Jaycees back in the late 60s and early 70s. The Jaycees for many years had a family campout at Crescent Lake on Labor Day weekends. It began at Spring Campground and later evolved to Camp Makualla Boy Scout camp as a statewide Jaycee Campout. Prior to these campouts we also often went to Crescent Lake with grandparents and extended family for day trips.

As this hike often does it brings great childhood memories flooding into my mind. As Father’s Day approaches, I reflect upon the memories of my dad and many other men in Oakridge that influenced many of my beliefs and joys throughout my life. We were blessed to grow up in the “boom-times” in Oakridge and Westfir. My dad wasn’t a guy who hunted or fished often. Although he would take us fishing from time to time. Thankfully, I had other mentors as well as grandparents and family friends who would invite us kids along to enjoy the outdoors.

None of that is to suggest that my dad didn’t appreciate the outdoors. He understood and appreciated it very much. He knew the many ways we all benefitted from living in such a great area. As the owner of Dink’s Market in Oakridge, he would often greet friends or longtime customers from the valley with “What brings you up here to God’s country!” Dad wasn’t a religious man, but a man who believed and appreciated our place in this world that was nestled and created along the Highway 58 corridor.

The definition of “God’s Country” in the dictionary suggests several meanings for the phrase, all seem to fit well throughout the Highway 58 corridor. The once thriving timber industry kept food on our tables and roofs over many a family’s heads for generations. It also created a great place for friends and families to socialize and enjoy the outdoors and sports. Summer meant hopping on bikes and meeting friends at the fish hatchery to ride to baseball practice. We had so many great coaches! Wes Owens, Fred Board, Gary Froerich, Steve Nimocks, Duahne Hendrickson, my dad and Jerry Snyder. Not all of these men were dads. But they all had father-like influences on so many of us ” Oakridge Boys.” Fathers of too many friends, families and teachers to mention, also influenced all of us immensely.

I could write a book or ramble on reminiscing forever! We are truly influenced by the environment we grew up in. As well as the people who shared and molded us into adulthood. I wish all kids could grow up as we did. Is this what they call “waxing nostalgic”?

Call it whatever you want. I’m thankful for my dad and all the folks in Oakridge and Westfir who influenced all of us in “God’s Country”. Hug ’em and thank them if ya got ’em! Get outside and enjoy, reminisce and appreciate the outdoors and our fathers. Happy Father’s Day.