Chinook Bend Resort News

“Our next adventure”

March 3, 2007

 Written by John Telban

Hello from sunny California, I’m back to work pushing a police car around on graveyard while my trusted friends and family enjoy Chinook Bend Resort without me. The group tells me that I have missed all the impressive winter wonders and adventures such as the “Siletz River Flood”, (see pictures on the web site) evacuations, road closures, snow storms, electrical outages, tree’s down, muddy roads, river rescues and so much more.  “Geeze I miss being there”.   

Well, now that all the adventure has past, the gang went into clean up mode, bringing in gravel, jumping on the tractors and pushing the mud back out of the park, leveling camp sites, trimming trees and breaking out the paint cans. Again, I can’t believe I am missing all of this.

Cousin Donny is back at work after spending a portion of the winter with his mom in Northern California, except this week when he went for a motorcycle ride along the coast. A van turned into his path on Highway 101. After his close call with the Pacific Ocean, he has a little road rash and some bruises to prove his new war story. I can’t wait to hear the details in person around the campfire.

Bobby (Kyburz Bob) is packing and eagerly awaiting “the call for service”. Bob will be back and at full speed (or slow speed if you see him on the tractor) toward the end of March. He tells me that he has the resort figured out and is bringing some great ideas with him for the 2007 season. He asked that we take a break from buying any more calves this year as he is still recuperating from last season’s bottle feedings.

Martine’ has stayed faithful and kept the park up and running through the full winter. That was a job in itself. He has contacted me to ask that we don’t have the planned BBQ of our bottle fed beef as he has become attached to them and now they are Chinook Bend pets. We’re still debating the issue.

Mac and Joann are doing well and hunkered down in Bend for the winter. I have been in contact with Mac and he is eagerly awaiting the daily roadwork that is planned for this new season. It does not take much to entertain him, just give him a tractor.

Nat (my rock) is busy keeping an eye on my spending. She keeps the books straight and monitors the memberships. I know she can’t wait for the 2007 season to start, so I will get out of her hair for a few months and head to Oregon. She has also informed me that if I touch any of those calves (referring to a BBQ) that I don’t need to come home.

Cousin Billy is doing well; we speak frequently of Chinook Bend and together plot where to spend the money for improvements. Of course, this brainstorming has to be discussed over a cold beer. Billy will be back up for part of the 2007 season as he also needs his campground fix.

Vic (“Poppa Bear”) will be back for part of the 2007 season. He has a laundry list of ideas to share. He is looking forward to bringing his grandkids up for a couple of days to enjoy the park.

“What are those guys doing to Chinook Bend?”

A quick reminder that the new address to send in dues:

Chinook Bend Resort

1190 School Street,

Folsom Cal. 95630

 Resort phone: (541) 996-2032 or John Telban (916) 768-1626

ELECTRICAL UPGRADE

On the drawing board, upgrade in electrical. We  have met with Consumer Power of Oregon and they have agreed to bring in more electrical service to the resort. This will be a great benefit to us and relieve the strain on the electrical system. We are in the process of securing financing for this project and are working on a late March, early April time line.

ENTRANCE ROAD

Also in negotiation, we have met with Dan from D and K Excavating and are exploring the possibility of raising the entrance road about two feet. This would reduce the flooded road issue that constantly haunts the resort. At the same time, we are looking into repairing a couple of spots on the river that have allowed water to enter the park. This most likely will be a project that we will undertake at the end of the 2007 season.

CONCRETE PADS

Our first couple of concrete pads are planned for installation as soon as the rain lets the park dry out a little. We are going to do just a couple to see how the members like them and get some feed back on the use and design.

BOAT DOCK REPAIRS

We have completed repairs (again) on the docks that were caused by the November flood. Martine’ has worked endlessly on these docks so that the members can enjoy them for the 2007 season.

NEW DECK

We have purchased the lumber and will beginning construction on a large deck to set in front of the bait shop. This will allow members to enjoy their coffee and newspaper in the morning. (I’m thinking Donny can get up early and be a waiter on the deck, serving Lattes and Mochas, “he will look good in an apron”)

RIVER CABIN

Our fist river cabin is completed and will be delivered in March. The cabin was recently on display at the home and garden show in Newport. We received a lot of compliments on the design; I am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

PORTI-POTIES

Portable toilets have been ordered and will be delivered within a few weeks. They will be placed in the outlying areas of the Resort. This will offer some convenience for trail walkers and tent campers during the camping season.

NEW GIFT SHOP

We have added a gift shop/antique area to the Big Red Barn. We will offer sweat shirts, wine glasses, coffee mugs and other items for sale with the Chinook Bend loge affixed. We will also have antiques and unusual gifts available for the 2007 season.

BICYCLES

We have purchased some bicycles that will be available for members. They make for a nice way to travel around the park.

LAUNDRY ROOM UPGRADE

We are currently in the process of upgrading the laundry room. We have purchased two more washers and dryer to add to what we already have. We are expanding the laundry room by 8’ feet. Additionally we will have a coke machine and snack machine available for people who get the munchies in the middle of the night.

NEW PICNIC TABLES

We are having new picnic tables built for the 2007 season. We were short some tables last year and the flood claimed a few in November.

FIREWOOD

Martine has been busy all winter cutting and stacking firewood for this years camping season. I think it is keeping him in shape.

POST OFFICE BOXES

We are exploring the possibility of installing post office boxes in the Big Red Barn. This would allow members who travel year round to have their mail sent to Chinook Bend on a year round basis, and we would then forward it to where ever you were camping. Let me know your thoughts on this member service.

EXPANDED BAIT SHOP

Donny has put in a lot of time remodeling the bait shop. We removed the back office which gave us more room for tackle. We have been approved as a wholesaler for All Sports, so our fishing tackle will be much more competitive this year. He did a great job and now that he can hardly walk due to his motorcycle crash, I guess he will be working behind the counter.

“Comments from the cheap seats”

 Well, we have a lot on our plate as usual, but we have a dedicated staff who are ready to tackle these new projects. It is our sincere intention to make Chinook Bend R.V. Resort a premier camping destination for our members.

I am looking forward to the 2007 season and catching up on what has transpired over the winter in your lives. We have some great entertainment scheduled for 2007. Some of the entertainment have been booked well in advance and I think you will be pleasantly surprised who we have lined up for this season.

The calves that we bottle fed last year are now about 300 pounds each, even the runt “Norman” has filled out. Martine’ has trained them to a bell. He has installed the bell on his tractor, so they follow him around like he is mom. “There goes my BBQ”

The Llama, Sandi and Diego are doing well. Martine had to give Sandi a shot, so he suited up, complete with steel toed boots, knee pads, heavy clothing and a helmet. “Sandi won”

We are in the process of developing a pet run area complete with fencing and a bench. He wants to name the dog walk part “the mine field”

We have also planned out the pancake breakfast for this coming season, maybe we will add taco knight, pot luck night and we would also like to capitalize on an already recognized Chinook Bend member tradition, hobo stew. (with the members blessing of course)

As always, please communicate any of your ideas that will enhance the camping experience or improve on services at Chinook Bend. Dust off your fishing poles and make your reservations to come and hang out with us for a few weeks.

I will see you in the spring, God bless           

  Sincerely.. John Telban