WELCOME HOME!

There are a few new openings at Adams Creek Cohousing! 

Please join us at an upcoming Zoom Open House to find out more.

To register, click a link below or go to AdamsCreekCohousing.com.

Halloween Lantern Parade

What a fun time everyone had preparing for Halloween!  Children and adults gathered to make their lanterns for our annual Halloween Lantern Parade around the neighborhood. It was a magical time for the children as it drew children from Adams Creek Cohousing, neighborhood children, and friends of our children, as well as many adults. And then the big parade happened, lighting the night and forbidding any and all ghosts and goblins from raining on our parade.

Joining in this year’s lantern-making, were our newest Associate Members who were visiting from Iowa City, Iowa: the Bell Family: Greg, Emily, Esther, and Wyatt.

The Bell’s agreed to be interviewed about their visit to Hood River, and they shared a few memories of their time here. Wyatt reports that his favorite time was playing with Ava, Marilyn’s friendly and loving dog. Wyatt was observed playing in the creek, climbing trees, and running through the woods with Ava during his visit. Esther says she liked it all: the hikes, the other kids, making lanterns, but especially the creek! Emily commented that everyone was so friendly and that the town of Hood River is just the “right size”. She also enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and the Columbia River.  And having other kids for her kids to play with and caring adults are very important to her as well. Greg particularly enjoyed the people and the way they embraced him and his family. He thought the orchards were amazing and he was surprised to discover that we have such majestic mountains here. Greg is drawn to the mountains and the outdoor trails for hiking and biking. Both Emily and Greg were amazed at the ease with which people got together and shared food, hiking, making projects together, and just visiting.

When we asked, “What would you recommend to other people who are considering Adams Creek Cohousing?” Greg immediately answered, “Don’t hesitate to throw in the $150 to join as an Associate Member because that is the best way to learn more. Also, it allows you to attend meetings. This way you learn names and see how people function together and make decisions. Get involved. Learn. Feel free to ask questions. Email. And, best of all, visit if you can.”

We are so glad they visited us. They are one cool family, and we enjoyed their visit immensely.

When we last left our hero, William, and his wife and children were living in McMinnville, Oregon. How did they get to Hood River?

William, his wife and children moved to Oregon where they settled north of McMinnville in Yamhill County. But William needed money to build a cabin for his family. So he headed to California and joined the Gold Rush for two years. There he found enough gold to return home and to buy a farm and eventually built his family home. Then he taught and farmed. Life was good. But he had other interests, also, like politics, religion, and morality (or immorality!) Soon he became a figure in the public eye and was writing and publishing articles. His fame spread not just in Oregon but across the US and even Abe Lincoln read his articles. When Lincoln became president, he offered William a position as Customs Collector for the Oregon Territory which included Washington and Oregon. So William and his family moved to Astoria. This brought many highs and lows into his life and he eventually resigned. At this point in his life, he decided that he wanted a more scientific approach to life and that he wanted to become a doctor. So at 52 years of age, he went back to medical school in Philadelphia and got his degree. Back in those days, one could get a medical degree after only one year!

Returning to Oregon, the family settled in Portland and William began his practice in Portland and surrounding areas. But he soon realized he was more interested in the need for sanitariums for many of the long-term illnesses and Hood River seemed like the perfect place for just such an establishment. So William, his wife, and the youngest kids moved to Hood River. Francis, his wife, decided  a year later to move to Eugene to take care of their two eldest daughters who were studying at the university. She stayed there and she and William were divorced in 1880, which was rather rare in those days.

William married two years later to Mary Susan Mosier. (Yes, the village of Mosier is named after her family.) They had 2 children and worked together at the sanitarium. They lived on their beloved farm, called Paradise Farm and became a successful Hood River family; William Lysander Adams had a life of good fortune. He was a student, a teacher, a farmer, a builder, a preacher, a speaker, a writer, an editor, a politician, a civil servant, and finally, a doctor.

And today, the members of Adams Creek Cohousing  are the lucky owners of that  little piece of Paradise Farm that William Lysander Adams bought back in 1880. And the beautiful stream that runs through that property called Adams Creek. It has been brought back to life by loving hands, aching backs, and sore legs. It is no longer entrenched with invasive blackberries, ivy, and other plants. It is blooming in full glory. We think William L. Adams would be happy to see his lovely creek alive and well and bringing laughs and smiles to the many people who enjoy it.

Stay Safe. Stay Healthy. Stay in Touch.

Friends@AdamsCreekCohousing.com