We ended up staying right in The Dalles this time.  The last time through this area we stayed at a beautiful Coast to Coast campground up in the hills overlooking the Gorge.  We did not have a reservation, so figured we could drive up and get a spot easily this time of year.  To our chagrin, the campground had recently sold and it was closed.  My nephew Steve's mother lives here and her elderly parents do as well.  We had met them more than 30 years in San Diego and this gave us a chance to get re-acquainted.