The View from Nesika

The Summer of 2011 at Nesika - October 2011

This summer was a particular challanging work season at Nesika. Most of the summer we were stopped at Multnomah creek by a wash-out at the bridge. Fortunately we had failed to get the big tractor out last fall, so it was on the "right" side of the bridge allowing us to use it to haul materials from Multnomah creek to the lodge. Still this meant starting work trips with a walk to the lodge, a trip back out with the tractor, and a long haul back in.

Our eager crews still managed to get a bunch of projects done during the summer including:

• Completing a temporary repair to the Multnomah creek bridge to allow vehicle access.
• Removing huge volumes of brush from above the lodge for fire protection.
• Completing the Propane storage shed.
• Completing the stone facing on the "Sitting wall" left of the main lodge.
• Cleaning out of the "dish cupboard" corner in Redwing and treatment for ants.
• Completing the rebuilding of the fourth (last) side of the Dorm (mostly).
• Re-organization of the dorm and thorough cleaning of the upper floor.

This was in addition to the normal jobs of cleaning, minor repairs, restocking the wood supply and cooking to the crowd.

Finally, the Nesika Lodge Chair position has been passed to Glen Conrad, an active and long-time member who has long been committed to the future of Nesika lodge. Please welcome and support him in the comming year.

Thank you, everyone who participated in Nesika work weekends this year.
Nesika Lodge Committee

Nesika Road Status - Aug 15

The Road has been closed at Multnomah creek for the winter (2011-12) to preserve the temporary ramp. If vehicle access is urgently needed contact the Nesika lodge chair Glen Conrad.

The temporary bridge ramp is now in place at Multnomah Creek and we can get into the turn-around. We owe special thanks to those who were able to donate extra time during the week to get the project completed so we had access for the August work weekend; Randy Dietrich, Merrill Hugo, Richard Gaunt, Lynn Cochran, Phil Crosby, Ben Lepp and Dave Lepp.
THANKS EVERYBODY,
George Milne, Lodges Trustee

Note: the road is still rough, especially the crossing at Peterson creek. Low clearance vehicles should stop at the top above the green gate.

Palmer Mill Road

The heavy rains in winter of 2011 were not kind to the road. There is impassable damage on Palmer Mill road between Brower and Multnomah Basin Road. The damage on Plamer Mill Road, between The basin road and the clear-cut is extensive.
About 50 feet of road just above the old quarry has been eroded down about 6 feet. The section about 1/4 mile above that has erosion in various places 12 - 18 inches deep.
This will be a major repair job. We have not word about when, if ever, the USFS will repair this section of road.

There is also damage to Plamer Mill between Bridal Veil and Brower road. Multnomah county has this section closed at this time. Again, not word on when it might re-open.

For the forseeable future access to Nesika wil be via Larch Mt. road.

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Nesika Work Party - Autumn 2011

Transition into fall brought about more than seasonal change at Nesika...

George Milne, Lodge & Properties Trustee, also acting as Nesika Lodge Chair this year, has passed the Nesika Chair position to Glen Conrad, an active and long-time member committed to the future of the lodge.

Glen, using tack and diplomacy, successfully managed this last weekend’s work party.

The most radical change at Nesika in October took place under the leadership of Sylvia Milne, who had a vision for upgrading the “multi-use dorm” living conditions by changing the density of beds on each floor to align bunks with the new windows. As she shared her thoughts with the new lodge chair and others, an adaptable space was created on the family level just inside the door. This will serve as a gathering area in the months it is not storing sections of the upper deck. (To make this area more comfortable for families, there will be a 9x7 area rug for children to play on and a toy box made for David Conrad by Steve Riley to store Legos and Lincoln Logs.)

Your next stay in our "multi-use dorm" (which seems to be begging for a new name) is guaranteed to be brighter and more comfortable as a result of members sharing ideas and working collaboratively together to make it happen.

• 4 year exterior refurbishing project is near completion
• Removed Cedar siding on all four sides
• Installed plywood sheeting, Tyvek moisture barrier and larger windows
• Replaced siding on three sides and half of the fourth
• Weekend interior design upgrade
• Reorganized, removed excess inventory – bottom floor to roof, swept, and vacuumed
• Modified bed frames and removed ALL the springs and replaced with plywood
• Mopped the upper floor and stairwell with a wood floor product

In addition to special projects, a lot of energy goes into regular maintenance and of course feeding the workers. Thanks to the cooks, their helpers, and those that bring goodies!

A big THANK YOU to all who participated. Next work party is April 2012