RIP, Stevenson tree is now gone

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

Just showed up this morning, Sunday and our lovely tree is gone, RIP
Now what till be done for replacement is the question

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Could get a lot worse. The port had said previous that if the tree died they would replace it with 3. That would really screw up the grass. You can see how much the port and city want to help recreation by the Terrible Developement of the shore. Trees and other habitat, boulders that looks good for some shore restoration but does nothing for recreation and giving people more places to recreate. With the amount of river frontage we have we have the shittiest river access I have ever seen for a town on the water. Shitty sand by the boat ramp and a tiny snatch patch by the slides. Terrible.

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

I know our water access and water front is not ideal, but its worth pointing out the port has really tried working with the our community and the river access is not a easy issue given the winter storms and water level changes that occur. Its really hard having a waterfront with the winters we have and erosion. I talked to the port manager a couple of months ago and he is extremity supportive for our access. One of the most supportive and friendly persons I have ever dealt with. This might be a good opportunity for the Stevenson home crowd to formalize a group ?? I would for one volunteer my time, vote and provide some $$ to help in this regard. Stevenson is my #1 spot. Anyone have thoughts on a formal group?

McLovin · Since 11 Sep 2017 291 Posts Corbett Obsessed

Once there was a tree....
and she loved a little boy.
And everyday the boy would come
and he would gather her leaves
and make them into crowns
and play king of the forest.
He would climb up her trunk
and swing from her branches
and eat apples.
And they would play hide-and-go-seek.
And when he was tired,
he would sleep in her shade.
And the boy loved the tree....
very much.
And the tree was happy.
But time went by.
And the boy grew older.
And the tree was often alone.
Then one day the boy came to the tree
and the tree said, 'Come, Boy, come and
climb up my trunk and swing from my
branches and eat apples and play in my
shade and be happy.'
'I am too big to climb and play' said
the boy.
'I want to buy things and have fun.
I want some money?'
'I'm sorry,' said the tree, 'but I
have no money.
I have only leaves and apples.
Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in
the city. Then you will have money and
you will be happy.'
And so the boy climbed up the
tree and gathered her apples
and carried them away.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time....
and the tree was sad.
And then one day the boy came back
and the tree shook with joy
and she said, 'Come, Boy, climb up my trunk
and swing from my branches and be happy.'
'I am too busy to climb trees,' said the boy.
'I want a house to keep me warm,' he said.
'I want a wife and I want children,
and so I need a house.
Can you give me a house ?'
' I have no house,' said the tree.
'The forest is my house,
but you may cut off
my branches and build a
house. Then you will be happy.'

And so the boy cut off her branches
and carried them away
to build his house.
And the tree was happy.
But the boy stayed away for a long time.
And when he came back,
the tree was so happy
she could hardly speak.
'Come, Boy,' she whispered,
'come and play.'
'I am too old and sad to play,'
said the boy.
'I want a boat that will
take me far away from here.
Can you give me a boat?'
'Cut down my trunk
and make a boat,' said the tree.
'Then you can sail away...
and be happy.'
And so the boy cut down her trunk
and made a boat and sailed away.
And the tree was happy
... but not really.

And after a long time
the boy came back again.
'I am sorry, Boy,'
said the tree,' but I have nothing
left to give you -
My apples are gone.'
'My teeth are too weak
for apples,' said the boy.
'My branches are gone,'
said the tree. ' You
cannot swing on them - '
'I am too old to swing
on branches,' said the boy.
'My trunk is gone, ' said the tree.
'You cannot climb - '
'I am too tired to climb' said the boy.
'I am sorry,' sighed the tree.
'I wish that I could give you something....
but I have nothing left.
I am just an old stump.
I am sorry....'
'I don't need very much now,' said the boy.
'just a quiet place to sit and rest.
I am very tired.'
'Well,' said the tree, straightening
herself up as much as she could,
'well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting
Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest.'
And the boy did.
And the tree was happy.

Shel Silverstein & (Michael Scott)

Bargeslayer · Since 08 Jul 2012 100 Posts Stoked

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Gone but not forgotten. New lore for Gorge kitesurfing "The Tree". It marked a moment in time for kitesurfing in the Gorge. It would have been just another shrub in the context of windsurfing And even more inconsequential in the context of the new fangled wingboard.

But for kitesurfing, The Tree was a part of the joy, relief, challenge, fear, apprehension, and adrenaline of launching and landing at Stevenson.

The love/hate debate over The Tree and the attempted removal/sabotage of the tree only helped to cement its place in the annals of Gorge kitesurfing history.

a.benjamin76 · Since 27 Jul 2017 113 Posts Stoked

Darn.....

WindSki · Since 14 Dec 2012 411 Posts Portland Obsessed

long live "The Tree"
RIP