Family Loved Their Home, Gave It Away

A Local Opinion: Saturday, January 5, 2002

    The simple act of giving can be complicated. This year, the Brooking family of Camas brought gifting to a new level.

    Dory and Emil Brooking started their family in the 1940s. Emil was a young doctor in Camas. Every day, Emil's drive took him along the Columbia River. Glimpses of river fascinated Emil, who was born and raised in Indiana, far from major rivers. This huge river was mysterious and unknown.

    One day, Emil saw a riverfront lot for sale. He drove past it daily, stopping often to look. Gazing across the water with Mt. Hood framed over the river, Emil felt calm. The river drew him in.

    Shortly thereafter, the Brookings bought the place.

    For the next 44 years, Dory and Emil and their eight kids camped, picnicked, birdwatched, gardened, water-skied and eventually lived on their land. Dory took the kids to the river for picnic and play. Emil joined them after work.

    "Why go anywhere else?" Dory asks.

    Landlubber Emil ventured out in a boat, eventually even building his own sailboat.

    "You know, the Columbia does go to the Pacific," Emil says with a sparkle in his eye. In 1972 the family set sail from their riverside home and didn't stop until they got to Tahiti.

    The river continues to fascinate them. "Right now, huge waves are crashing over the rocks and our dock," Dory says, drawing the word "huge" across an octave, like a wave. "Out in the middle, the waves are in patterns. Clear water along one line, green water the other way."

    This year, an eagle graced a tree on Christmas Day. In spring, a dozen wood ducks took roost. The Brookings watched the babies hatch and take flight.

    "Everybody should feel this, hear it, know it. Everybody." Dory emphasizes every syllable of the word as if counting off people. "People don't even know it's here. The world needs to be inspired. Let it come out of them with a camera or a paintbrush or a poem. This is what the world needs."

Protecting future memories

    Twelve years ago Dory and Emil decided to protect the wildness and the opportunity for inspiration.

    It hasn't been easy. By then the property was very valuable, and at 78 and 86 years old, Dory and Emil had to plan for their financial security. But over time, the idea of conserving the property for nature and people took hold. Each of the eight kids wrote a letter to Mom and Dad telling them they should do whatever it took to conserve the land. Each and every Brooking shares the dream.

    "It's in the genes," Dory says.

    For Christmas this year, the Brookings gave their Columbia River property to us all.

    "This isn't really ours," Dory says. "We're just lucky to be here."

    On Dec. 21, Dory and Emil signed a conservation agreement with Columbia Land Trust that will ensure that their property will forever be available for nature and people. Combined with an agreement with the Clark College Foundation, the property will someday be available for kids and adults for environmental education, walking in nature, writing, painting and being inspired.

    Dory remembers an old hymn: "We'll gather at the river, the beautiful, beautiful river."

    "Isn't that true?" says Dory. "This is a great gathering place. May everyone have a chance to experience this."

    Thanks to all 10 Brookings, this wish will come true.

    If members of the public wish to send a thank you, notes can be sent to The Brookings, care of Columbia Land Trust, 1351 Officers Row, Vancouver, 98661.

Webmaster for news is Ken Bilderback.