Bingen, WA

Wordless Wednesday - The Columbia River Through Winter Trees

This is another of Mel's photos. This is the Columbia River, as seen through winter trees from the city of Bingen, Washington, just across the river from the town of Hood River. I never get tired of photos of the river. You just can't beat mountains and water all in one gorgeous setting.

International Leader In Unmanned Aircraft Systems Located Right Here In The Columbia Gorge: Insitu, Inc.

I have to say, it's one of the least expected industries here in small town, outdoor oriented Columbia River Gorge. Insitu, Inc. is an international pioneer and leading provider of small tactical unmanned aircraft systems. To most of us and in layman's terms that means "little remote control airplanes". And Insitu is located just across the river from Hood River, in Bingen, Washington.

The planes were developed primarily for military uses in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and for commercial objectives alike. Put simply, these remote control airplanes can gather information in areas too sensitive and dangerous to send in manned aircraft. Obviously, potential loss of such aircraft is far preferrable to that of full-sized, million-times more expensive aircraft, flown by humans. They also have uses in civilian and public safety, such as in disaster communications and search and rescue missions.

Many of the "drones" as they are often called, are smaller than three feet in length so can fly almost undetected and patented technology can provide up to 15 hours of flying time in one flight. They are able to immediately convey information back to command centers and can be customized to a military's, government's or company's objectives.

The U.S. Navy awarded Insitu a two year, $43 million contract in 2010 to begin full scale development of its own UAS. The Canadian and Australian governments also use Insitu products to support troops in foreign wars. Insitu products are currently being used around the world, including in Afganistan and Iraq.

Because of the sensitive nature of the industry, many of the drone details and even most photos are highly classified. In fact, when I stopped to take photos of the front of the Insitu building, security personnel approached me almost immediately to inquire why I was photographing the building. I gave my card and references to prove I wasn't a spy. I'm not going to mention from where security came as they blended into street life along the road. Yep, now I'm probably in some intelligence agency's computer.

I find the drones to be such an intriguing idea. We have looked into a tour of the facility especially since one of our sons is very interested in remote control airplanes and I was going to wait to write this blog until after that, but then I found out I wouldn't be allowed to take photos and little more info would be offered to us than is available on Insitu's website. Visit their site for more information.

Insitu, Inc.
118 East Columbia River Way
Bingen, Washington 98605
USA

tel: 509.493.8600

ActiveRain & Kodak Contest: Everyone Has Had a Kodak Moment

Remember the brilliant marketing campaign of the 90's by Kodak that encouraged us to capture the most special moments in our life by taking a picture of them with a Kodak camera? Of course you do, everyone does!

Kodak moments are never planned. They just happen. We just decided to take my wife's mother (Irene Elliott of Pocatello, ID) for a walk. Then a niece decided to come along. Then our grandson (in the red cap). Then a bunch of his first and second cousins. A couple more sisters joined after this picture was taken.

This "moment" happened on a sunny Fifth of July at the rail road crossing on a street in Bingen, WA (located across the Columbia River from Hood River, OR). We were waiting for those aunties to catch up.

Everyone is having a good time. Some expressions are a little over the top.....like my wife who hates her expression so much she threatened to "smack" me if I told anyone on AR it was her. (So I'm not telling you which one she is.)

But the person whose expression I like best is the one showing on "Great-Grandma" herself....the person responsible for the whole group....and the reason for the hike. She's obviouosly happy to be on the jaunt. She probably is okay with having me wheel her for this two-mile effort. I was certainly happy to push her (on mostly level ground).

But what she is most happy about, at this moment, is ...just being with all those special kids - knowing that they are all just as delighted to be cruising with her.

We found a park at the end of our road. We found a great big rock for all the kids to climb and pose upon. We found enough little rocks that every kid had a few to throw in the mighty Columbia.

But what really rocked....was "just" having great grandma around.... for another Kodak Moment.

Such moments may not always be worth points. But they are always worth Kodaking.

This post is written as a submission to the ActiveRain 'Kodak Moments' contest. I have the chance to win the KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera

To participate in the ActiveRain contest, visit the blog post announcing the contest from Kodak and ActiveRain.

Bingen, Washington is located on State Route 14 along the Columbia River in Klickitat County. Bingen is one of only two Amtrak stops between Vancouver and Pasco, Washington. In 1892 the town site was platted by Theodor Suksdorf. He named the town after Bingen-on-the-Rhine, Germany. In 1924 the town was incorporated. Two of the area's largest employers, SDS Lumber Company and Underwood Fruit, are located in Bingen. If you travel to Bingen be sure to stop by the Solstice Wood Fired Cafe for some delicious organic food. Stop in at Antiques & Oddities for a special treasure. You might find what you're looking for at Second Hand Rose Thrift Store. You can buy fresh grown local fruit and produce at Dickey Farms. Also be sure to visit the Gorge Heritage Museum located in an old church with many artifacts and tales of the areas's Klickitat tribe. If you plan an overnight adventure you might like to stay at the Historic Joslyn House Bed and Breakfast.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. The entries on this blog are based on the opinions and ideas of the author and are provided without warranties of any kind, either expressed or implied.

The Joslyn House Bed & Breakfast is located in Bingen, WA. For those who have never heard of Bingen, it is across the Hood River Bridge into Washington State, then about 2 miles East on State Route 14. The Joslyn house in the Columbia Gorge was built in 1860 by Erastus Joslyn.

Erastus and Mary Joslyn were early pioneers in this area. When their first house was destroyed by members of the Yakama Nation, they built what is now known as the Joslyn House to replace it. The Joslyns raised fruit and vegetables. Early visitors came up the Columbia River by sternwheeler river boat. Erastus Joslyn named the White Salmon River, taught the Native American inhabitants, and held Sunday worship services for them. The Joslyns also provided travelers a free room for the night.

The second owners of the Joslyn House were the Suksdorfs. They were a prominent local German family. The Suksdorfs named the town of Bingen and expanded Joslyn House.

It is not my listing but the Joslyn House is currently for sale for $1,200,000 on the RMLS-Regional Multiple Listing Service http://www.rmls.com/ listing #7078387