Wednesday, August 16, 2017 Historical State Parks

This feels is right behind our RV and is where we walk the dogs.

The dogs were having a rough morning laying around on the sleeping bag.

We needed to go to a post office to mail my sister her birthday card so we took a drive. We saw these bales of hay wrapped in green plastic, Steve thinks they look like giant green mints to go with the giant marshmallows.

The nearest place to mail a letter was just a blue mailbox at a convenience store - and a guy in a Penske truck picked up the mail. The card I was mailing was the only thing in the box for him to pick up. I guess he was official - he scanned the card-- I hope it gets to Oklahoma! (It did, my sister got it!) Then we went to Matilda Jackson State Park - just a picnic site with a little walking trail loop for the dogs.

Then we crossed the highway to the south and went to John R. Jackson house. He and Matilda were married. He moved to Illinois in 1823 from England, where he farmed. Then he traveled west in 1844 (a bachelor) as a wagon driver on a wagon train headed for Oregon Territory. When he got to where the present day Vancouver, WA is located he went north and settled in the area that became known as Jackson Prairie ( about 7 miles south of Chehalis). He farmed, built a cabin, was appointed sheriff, territorial legislator, census taker and elected justice of the peace. He also assessed land and collected taxes. Matilda Jackson arrived in Oregon City by the fall of 1847 where she met John Jackson. She and her family had traveled by wagon train from Missouri. Matilda's first husband drowned in the Snake River while attempting to help oxen cross. This tragedy resulted in Matilda giving birth prematurely to an infant daughter, who died several days later. She and her 4 young sons were taken to the Dalles Mission to recuperate. Several weeks later even though still weak, Matilda took a canoe down the Columbia River to Oregon City. Her sons came on horseback later. John and Matilda were married in 1848 and had 3 children of their own. Over the years she became known for her warmth and welcome care she gave weary travelers. She died in 1901 at the age of 90! Can you imagine living that exciting life? We love this fence!