Memorial Day Weekend (Arrrrggghh!)

We knew this going in but it was still a looong weekend. We left Maupin early Thursday with the intent of getting to the Mt. Rainier area early enough in the day so we could get a campground for the holiday weekend. We only had a drive of 150 miles or so, not a long distance but a little slower than normal since we were not driving the interstate (in fact on the entire trip we have managed to stay OFF the interstates most of the time). The last small town on the east side of Rainier is Naches (nay-CHEEZ or similar but not like the east TX river), then about another 30 miles before the forest service campgrounds begin. When we reached the area with campgrounds we had no idea how many or what campgrounds were around. We drove thru the first, not thrilled at $16/night with no services but a water spigot in the middle, then decided to see what else may be available. We found another larger campground, Kaner Flat, another couple of miles up the road and found an unreserved spot that we settled into. Note to campers coming to this area: come to find out there are many campgrounds around, some run by the Forest Service, others that are FS campgrounds by run by a vendor, in this case HooDoo Recreation. Both types of camprgounds offer the same amenities, i.e. nothing but vault toilets and centrallly located water pumps, but the vendor cg's are $2-$6 more! Anyway ours ended up at $14/night. When we arrived many sites were already spoken for and that evening and the next day the place quickly filled. It turned out to be a noisy, RV generator, chain saw filled weekend but at least we had a somewhat cheap spot in a nice forest.

 

Kaner Flat CG

 

Little Naches River

 

The main road from the east side of Rainier to the west side is state Hwy. 410. Friday was opening day for the season as this road is closed during winter. We decided to take a drive over Chinook Pass to check things out. Although a safe drive it was still very wet with snow banks quite high and snow plows on hand just in case.

 

Entering Mt. Rainier NP (where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses)

 

Driving through Rainier

 

Saturday we decided to explore the east side in the national forest and discovered the Bumping Lake area. Bumping Lake was a natural lake that was then damned in 1910 to create a water source for the surrounding area. The roads here quickly turn from pavement to rough dirt and gravel and are not maintained. We initially tried to get to the ghost town of Copper City but were turned back when warned of snow ahead. We then went a different direction to a trail head where we hiked to some nice water falls. The drive through was fairly rough, finally using the 4x4 (although we probably would have made it without). We had to doge fallen trees and at one point came to a tree across the road. I was able to move it a little but then a second truck came through and we were all able to clear the road. Turns out three guys went through before us, moved the tree from the road, drove through, then moved it BACK. Not sure what they were trying to prove. We now understand why everyone out here travels with chainsaws.

 

Dodging fallen trees

 

Clearing the road

 

 

The weather here has been mostly cool and cloudy with some slight rain. Sunday ended up the same but we decided to go for another hike at the same lake but on the other side. We were told of an old growth forest grove that was several miles in. We easily found the trail and began our hike. Not exactly sure of the distance but a mile or so in we came across a large, heavily flowing creek that was to wide to cross. But Mother Nature took care of that by dropping a few large trees across the flow which made for a great bridge! I went across first and just after reaching the other side I got off the fallen tree, and went to step across another very small flow and felt something pop in my lower left calf. At first I could not walk as the pain was quite high. But after a few minutes I was able to move a bit and get back across. Cynthia had taken my pack back over and we found a nice walking stick and I started to limp back to the truck. It probably took twice as long to get back but we made it and then called it a day.

 

Creek crossing

 

Cyhthia going across

 

Interesting enough when we returned to the cg many of the campers had already left (a day early). So needless to say that night was fairly quiet and the rain that came ran the others inside early. For the second night we had a nice campfire with wood left by others.

Nice fire

 

Sunday evening we hitched the trailer to prepare for an early morning departure. We left yesterday around 8 and headed toward Enumenclaw, WA. where we ended up in a very nice small RV park run by the county at the fairgrounds.

Enumenclaw, WA fairgrounds

 

Today is laundry day at the wonderful town laundromat! I guess we just don't realize the small, wonderful benefit of having the ability to do this in the comfort of our home. That and the small fortune it costs to do the wash.

 

Must be done!

 

Tomorrow we head into Seattle to play tourist and visit with my cousin. Thursday we pack up again and head toward BC-stiil trying to figure out the best place to stay on that route (most RV parks close to Seattle are quite expensive and the NFS cg's are a little too far away).

 

Oh well, tough decisions, huh?

 

Until next time.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Road Ride on a MTB

Cynthia was beginning to feel comfortable fishing the Deschutes so the next morning she went out solo and I decided to go for a bike ride. The area around Maupin is a road cyclist's dream-great roads with a good shoulders, nice long sustained climbs and circuits of either ~26 or ~60 miles. Unfortunately for a montain bike rider this area has no defined trails so I took the MTB bike out on the roads for the the shorter 26 mile loop. Our campground was in the river valley with the town located only about ½ mile up the hill. But that was just the start as the climb continued for about 4 ½ miles with about 800 +/- ft of climbing. Sounds like a lot but it was relatively easy, just slow steady going. At the top of the climb I then encountered a few miles of gently rolling terrain with beautiful views of Mt. Hood in the distance. Then the good part-what goes up must come down! A nice 2 mile descent into the Tygh Valley.

What we dream about!

The downhill (in the distance) from the other side

A right hand turn onto Hwy. 216 brought about a 7 mile stretch (above photo) which ended at the Deschutes river Indian fishing area (yesterday's photo) then up a very slight grade, again about 7 miles, along the Deschutes back to camp. It was a very delightful ride and although along 2 hwys, I encountered very little traffic. The ride took about 2 ½ - 3 hrs. but was good for the legs and lungs since this was only my second ride in 5 weeks on the road.

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Maryhill State Park and Maupin, OR

We left our wonderful view of Mt. Hood last Thursday and headed toward Maryhill SP only an hour or so east but still in WA. We learned of a fiberglass travel trailer rally and thought we would see if we could get a space at the park. Turns out there was a cancellation and we got the last available camping spot for the weekend. There were about 20 or so travel trailers including Escape, Casita, Bigfoot, Scamp as well as a few others. This a group of folk that have met at this state park for the past 5 years and it was great meeting some new fiberglass TT people. Goood campfies, great food and conversation made for a nice time.

Rally Gatherings
The area around the SP is quite interesting. There are two places in particular that stand out. First there is a replica of Stonehenge that was built as a memorial to the men of the area that lost their lives in WWI, the other is a very nice musuem, the Maryhill Museum of Art which house great exhibits on the Native People of NA, Auguste Rodin, Queen Marie of Romania as well as several other permanent and temporary shows.
Both of these places were built by a man named Sam Hill that had hoped to settle this part of WA in the early 1900s but despite being successful in many businesses, never quite had the success in this area. Instead he built the museum and memorial as lasting tributes.

Maryhill Museum
We spent Saturday at the Mayhill Winery, sampling their wares and of course spending too much on said wares! Their wines were (mostly) quite good. This winery also has a nice outdoor concert venue but it was too early in the season for music (although Jethro Tull is scheduled later this summer).

View from the winery deck

Sunday was clean up and move on day so we decided to head back south into OR so Cynthia could try her luck at fly fishing the Deschutes River. We are in the town of Maupin, OR-a quaint little fishing and rafting community. All indicators said this was the river to go to at this time but I guess the fish were not notified as they seem to be on vacation! And of course every fisherperson you talk to has their own theory why the fish aren't biting but it is a beautiful area none the less. The Deschutes is a large, fast moving river that flows into the Columbia River about 60 miles north. Some photos of the area:

Native Americans fisihng from platforms

RV Park from across the river

Rapids on the Deschutes

Selfie in the rapids

Cynthia fishing

Along the river at dusk

We plan to leave here Thursday and begin heading toward Seattle, then BC where iin both towns we plan to visit with my cousins. Our route back north is still a bit uncertain but we think we will be heading toward Yakima then over to Seattle. Our other option is back to Portland then north but with the coming holiday weekend we will try to find a place to hide out until the crowds go back home on Monday.

Until the next WiFi!

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Oregon and Washington

OK first a correction before I continue. It is Capit"o"l Reef NP, not Capit"a"l-I guess I should use my reference material before speaking!

After our brief stop over in the Lake Tahoe area we continued north and west heading toward Crater Lake NP in OR. On the way there we attempted to get to Lassen Volcano NP in CA but we were too early in the season and the snow prevented us from seeing/doing anything there. Another quite spectacular site as viewed from IH 5 was Mt. Shasta. We only viewed this from a road side pullout but it was impressive none the less.

Mt. Shasta from the rest area

 

It was a couple of days from Lake Tahoe to get to Crater Lake but it was an amazing place especially with the snow cover still on the ground. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the US at about 1950ft. The lake is a "caldera" lake formed by the collapsing surrounding volcano and is also unique in that the only sources of replenishment are snow and rain-there are no rivers, tributaries, etc. that flow into the lake.

Visitor center at Crater Lake

Crater Lake w/reflection

After a morning in and around Crater Lake we moved on looking for a campsite for the night and we ended up in a NFS CG along the North Umpqua River. Unique in this area are the Umpqua Hot Springs, a series of natural springs fed on the hillside of the river with several pools of varying degrees of hot to warm water. Although a spectacular place the crowds are well, "interesting", and some may feel uncomfortable there but hey, what the hell!

Umpqua Hot Spings Pools overlooking the river

 

Also along this route are several waterfalls, the highest of which is Watson Falls.

Watson Falls

The next morning we continued along the scenic byway and decided to go to the coast for a few days. Unfortunately a new weather system was coming in, i.e. RAIN, thus ending several great sunny days. Our first state park was in south central OR then we moved further north for the second night. There are still many (semi) funtional lighthouses all along the coast. My term "semi functional" means the lighthouses still operate and can be of navigational assistance but their functions have been replaced by GPS. One great idea used in OR state parks are the rental of Yurts, small house/tent like structures used instead of tents. Here are a few photos from the coast.

Remeber these?

Yurts for rent

View along the coast

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Inside the lighthouse

Tusnami's are taken seriously!

 

Cold and wet are not our favorite conditions so it was now time to move inland and get to the Hood River, OR area. We actually ended up in Underwood, WA which is directly across the Columbia River from Hood River. Our good friend Lynn (from our photo workshop days back in Virginia City, NV) lives here and has a spectacular homestead high above the river with a direct view of Mt. Hood. It is incredibly relaxing here-cool breezes, little to no road noise along with calming views (and a great dog, Nicky!). We did spend yesterday in Vancover, WA visiting our friend from the island, Evalyn, who moved away a few years back. A very nice visit indeed. I was also finally able to get in a good MTB ride here, just above the house is timber company owned land that has some very nice single track along with great views (on the backside) of Mt. Adams. All in all a very relaxing stay.

Views of Mt. Hood from the front porch!

Nicky

View of Mt. Adams (as in Ansel) from the trail

 

Tomorrow is time to move on again. We are planning a few days on the Deschutes River about an hour east of here. This is a very good fishing river so Cynthia will try a few days of fly fishing and see what happens there. After that our route is somewhat up in the air as we would like to visit family in Seattle but the route may take us too far north. We will see.

 

Until the next Wifi!!!

 

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Capital Reef NP, UT/Great Basin NP, NV to Lake Tahoe, CA

We left Fruita, CO intially heading for a brief stop in Moab, UT but decided to bypass there as the headwinds on the road that day we quite strong. Our final destination that day was Capital Reef NP in southwestern UT. We stayed there for a couple of nights had a great day hike and drove around a bit to see the sights. Unfortunately the winds were still quite strong which prevented us from doing some of the things we were hoping to do. The park itself is (mostly) located in a beautiful valley that was settled long ago by the early Mormons. The valley is quite lush with a small river feeding the fields and orchards that had been planted by those early settlers. The surrounding red rock formations remind you that you are still in the desert SW. Stunning cliffs, beautiful river valleys and hugh cloud formations. Here are some photos from the area.

View from campground, Capital Reef NP

Hike through Capital Gorge

Campground Capital Reef NP

View of the valley

From here our next stop was Great Basin NP in far eastern NV. Considered a sky island, the lanscape turns from the barren loooking desert floor to the surrounding mountain of which Wheeler Peak dominates at ~13,000ft. Our campground here was located close to 7,500ft with a stunning view of the peak. The main attraction at this park is the Lehman cave, of which we took the ranger led tour. The formations inside are incredible with all the usual cave suspects: bats (very few at this time of year), stalagtites, stalagmites, columns, pools of water. This is considered a "living" cave as the water seeps coming through the limestone continue to add to the growing formations.

A fun sighting on the way back to the campsite involed and tom turkey slowly chasing the hen-must be mating season here. I was able to get the 300mm lens on the Nikon and get "somewhat" close, enough to get him in all his feathered glory.

Photos from Great Basin NP:

This is the "money" shot from the cave which is on all the postcards.

We continued westward from here crossing NV on Hwy 50, named the "Loneliest Road in America" a name which is quite fitting. Beautiful landscapes dotted with several (almost ghost) towns including Ely, Eureka, Austin and Fallon (home of top gun fame). A long day ended with a night of "casino camping" in Reno.This was a much needed stop to hook up and recharge the electronics and a nice hot shower after 5 days off grid. The next morning was spent in Reno before a short afternoon drive to the Lake Tahoe area for a weekend visit with my niece Dana and her husband Kevin. Their area of Kings Beach is a small but very friendly community of locals that don't mind us parking the trailer out front. A neighbor's 40th B-day party last night brought everyone out and along excellent food, good bluuegrass(ish) picking and plenty of libations proved to be a great combination. We felt very welcome here!

Tomorrow we roll again with an expected route through CA, OR then to WA for a visit with a former photo workshop friend next weekend.

Until the next wifi signal....

 

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