Walton plans to settle in Oregon to enjoy the outdoors

Second of a two-part series

MOSES LAKE - "How long have you watched 'The Young and the Restless?' Jess Walton asked my wife, Garnet.

"I've been a fan after 'Another World' was cancelled," Garnet said.

"Oh, I used to watch 'Another World,' too," Walton said.

Finally I had a chance to ask a few questions aimed at the outdoors.

"Some of the websites indicate you and your husband eventually want to locate to the Pacific Northwest," I asked.

"We have been looking around the area of Bend and Sisters, Oregon," she said.

"We were in the area of Sisters last November on a fam trip," Garnet said.

"What's a fam trip?" Walton asked.

"It's a familiarization trip, where our friends in the area of Sisters and Camp Sherman wanted us to visit and tell readers about outdoor activities in the area," Garnet said.

Q: "What are some of your favorite outdoor activities?"

A: "Always wildlife viewing, because there is so much wildlife around and if there aren't the larger animals, such as deer, there are birds coming to feeders. Also I suspect we will acquire a horse or two and ride in the Sisters area."

 Q: "Do you enjoy hiking, such as around the Sisters area?"

A: "Short hikes are always fun, but the Cascade Crest Trail is not far from Sisters, 5 miles west, where we could drive to a trailhead and hike the trail from there."

Q: "Do you see yourself hiking the trail for a few days, sleeping in a tent, or just going out for a day trip?"

A: "Oh mainly day trips, but I'm anxious to try overnight camping as well."

Q: "Garnet and I enjoy a driving day trip or a short hike around different parts of the Columbia Basin, taking along a camp stove and cooking a noontime lunch. Is this something you might enjoy?"

A: "Very much so, definitely. I haven't done much outdoor cooking, but am anxious to learn. My daughter-in-law raises an organic vegetable garden and I would like to raise one also. She said she will teach me the basics. Plus we want to raise our own beef."

Q: "Do you fish?"

A: "I used to when growing up. My father taught me how to fish, but I haven't wet a line in many years." 

 Dennis comment: "I suggest you stop by the Camp Sherman Store, just a few miles west of Sisters and ask the owners, Roger and Kathy White, for fishing instructions and I'm sure they will help you out.

Q: "Do you hunt or have you ever been hunting?"

A: "Our son hunts, but I never have. I'm not sure I would want to shoot a deer, as Garnet doesn't want to shoot a deer either, but turkey may be fair game, just as Garnet shoots turkeys."

Q: "Have you ever had any firearm instruction?"

A: "Oh yes, I have participated in celebrity shotgun shoots where we would shoot skeet for celebrity fundraisers, such as the Barbara Mandrell shoots. Also, I have had some handgun training. Before the shotgun shoots, the shooting coaches offered instruction with handguns. Those shoots were a great way for people who don't shoot often to receive the basic instruction we all should have. By the way, I was rather good at the shooting sports."

Dennis comment: "I checked the websites and found you to be able to hit the clays consistently, as you placed at some of the tournaments."

Garnet was thrilled with the event, having a fine dinner and meeting Jill, oh, I mean Jess.

"You know," Garnet said on the way home. "Famous people really are just like everyone else, but Jess was extra friendly."

 Fans left with the genuine and legitimate feeling of having visited with a friend they have known on the screen for years, but now they have a personal memory of the Soap Box Icon Jill Foster Abbott Fenmore or whatever her name is after the latest on screen marriage.

It was a breath of fresh air, in the world of well-known celebrities, to have such a personal and down-to-earth Jess Walton spend so much time with her fans. The combination of a delicious prime rib dinner at The Steakhouse at Moses Pointe and a visit with Walton made for a perfect Valentines Day dinner on Feb. 12.

As far as "The Young and the Restless" story line goes, the multi-person cast will experience other marriages, another divorce or two, a long-lost son or daughter showing up to claim part of an inheritance, another cast member will be killed off, but might make an appearance as a twin or a ghost or... I know I could write this stuff.