Of the four gorge Counties Skamania County is still reporting the slowest sales. According to the RMLS data there were 2 listed residential sales and 2 unimproved property sales in Skamania County in the month of September 2008.

These are the sales for Skamania County for Sept 2008 -a total of 4:

• Carson- 2 single family homes- Sold-$ 146,000 and $179,000
• Stevenson- 1 unimproved property- Sold-$125,000
• Carson- 1 unimproved property- Sold $75,000

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. Many 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.

Sales are still very low in Skamania County Washington. According to the RMLS data there were 2 listed residential sales and 1 unimproved property sales in Skamania County in the month of August 2008.

The good news is there are 9 homes and 5 unimproved lots/land currently under contract and sale pending in Skamania County.

These are the sales for Skamania County for August 2008 -a total of 3:

• Skamania Landng- 1 single family home listed-$550,000 Sold-$525,000 1515 sq ft DOM-59
• North Bonneville- 1 single family home- listed-$249,000 Sold-$248,500 1657 sq ft DOM-23
• Skamania Landing- 1 unimproved lot- listed-$84,000 Sold-$82,000 DOM-70

There are plenty of unimproved properties in Skamania County to choose from. There are 111 properties currently listed ranging in price from $58,900 for an oversized lot in Stevenson to $2,500,000 for a 22+ acre approved 70 lot subdivision in Stevenson.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. Many 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.

New Gorge park

They're bringing down the house in the Gorge.

The Columbia Gorge is close to getting a new public park with scenic viewpoints twice as high as Crown Point. But before the park goes in, a 5,000 square foot home that's already at the location has to come out.

For 25 years, the Washougal home has sat high atop Cape Horn. Its backyard has a spectacular view of the Columbia Gorge. Almost since the day the home was built, conservationists, along with some nearby neighbors, have wanted it gone.

Now they are getting their wish. Piece by piece crews are dismantling the massive home. Two years ago Friends of the Columbia Gorge purchased the house. Now, with the help of mainly individual donations, the group is tearing it down with plans to build a brand new park.

"We realized, yes, it's a million dollar house. Usually they stay put, but the view and the opportunity is worth far more than a million dollars," explained Kevin Gorman, Executive Director of Friends of the Columbia Gorge. And many neighbors agree. "It's brining us recreational opportunity for the locals for Skamania County, this is a really positive economic development piece for our county," said Renee Tkach, a nearby neighbor.

Where the house is now are plans for a view-point and an easily accessible trail that will wind along the rim. "Finally the state of Washington is getting some equally great trails as Oregon has had for a long time," said Tkach.

And as for that million dollar home, it too is going to good use. 70 percent of it is being recycled. Green Home Construction is dismantling the home. Company owner Tom Reid says it's a tough but rewarding job. "From the metal to the wood to the shingles to the siding everything if it can be reused its reused in some manner," said Reid.

This fall, the US Forest Service will decide what the park will look like, and construction of the new scenic overlook will likely start this spring.

Tuesday July 29, 2008

by Keely Chalmers for Kgw.com

According to many sources, Skamania County, Wash., claims to have the highest number of reported Bigfoot sightings in the world.

August 22-24, 2008 The Bigfoot Bash and Bounty comes to Home Valley Park in Skamania County, Washington. The activities begin Friday August 22, 2008 at 7:00 pm with an open mic for music and Bigfoot sighting stories.

Saturday you can explore popular outdoor recreation spots in the area in the hunt for twelve hidden "Bigfeet". Each Bigfoot that is found will get you an entry into a drawing for great prizes! There will be food and craft vendors at the Home Valley Park as well as a beer garden featuring Walking Man beer, softball games, and a kids activity & craft corner. You can learn more about the legend of Bigfoot with presentations by Bigfoot experts Leann McCoy and Henry Franzoni. There will be live music starting at 6:00 pm by "The Shop" and at 8:00 pm by "Jive Turkey"

On Sunday there will be a 4 person Golf Scramble at Carson Hot Springs and a 12K Walk/Run. You'll have to decide on one or the other as both start at 9:00 am.

The name Skamania is derived from the Chinookan word for swift water, a reference to the Columbia River. According to the U.S. Census Bureau Skamania county has a total area of 1,684 square miles. The most recent population count shows Skamania County at 9,872 residents. The largest town and the County seat is Stevenson. 90% of Skamania County is forested and 80% is a part of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. With these statistics you can easily see why there are so many trees in Skamania County. The annual rainfall is about 80-90" per year so trees grow quite well here. It is a very green and lush with plenty of ferns, and native growth under the trees. Here are some pictures of trees in Skamania County.

Disclaimer: I assume no responsibilty for accuracy of information provided within this post and blog. Many 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.