Cascades Lakes Highway

We went up and over the pass to the Eastern Cascades.  A couple of things change as one heads east in Central Oregon:  lush dense forests give way to piney, dry environments; the cold desert temperatures swing hot & cold; and the sun shines alot.  Ummmm, we settled for 2 out of the 3, and arrived in Bend, Oregon amid a hummer of a storm:  wind, rain, and hail.  They are our traveling companions this summer, but with Bessie, no problem.

Luckily we found an open spot in a State Park (everything is reservation only these days), did a bit of catching up, and then spent a day with cruising friends who summer in Bend.  Then off down the Cascades Lakes Highway that heads southwest from Bend and out around the backside of Mt Bachelor then south.  The road is dotted with many alpine lakes, the headwaters of the Deschutes River, mountain bike trails, and trailheads to the high country.  Lots to see and do.  And we are trying to do some of it!  We will be back.  This is one of our favorite places but we only come during summer and miss out on those pesky 9 month winters.  AAARG.

View to the Cascades--Mt Bachelor, South Sister, and Broken Top.  

Walking the Obsidian Trail at Newberry Crater National Volcanic Monument.  Like a mini Crater Lake

Boulder size rocks of obsidian...glowing and gleaming in the sun.  So incredible!

Lovely to look at and hold.  Ask Alan how quick and sharp the obsidian  cuts open a thumb!

This obsidian flow is from 1300 years ago...a blink in "geo" time

Hiked around Paulina Lake to see Paulina Peak.  Obsidian flows through out the area.

Section of the lake features "bubbling pools" that are great for soaking.  

Lovely colors of rock

Every lake must have a flower...

North Twin Lake...just a lovely volcanic maar (I'm told)

Fly fishing the Fall River.  Otters have eater all the fish in this creek...BUT....you never know!

Canoeing on Lava Lake.  We are camping by this Lake.

Eagle 

Camping in an RV

Camping in the RV is EVERYTHING we had hoped for...back to our favorite campgrounds in the National Parks & Forests.  Warm and dry when it rains; sitting by wild and scenic rivers for morning coffee; playing cards after dark; ice cream whenever it suits.  We are living the life!

We had a few minor things to sort at the RV dealer in Eugene and we picked up our car.  Then we headed east up to the Williamette National Forest and the playground along the McKenzie River.  And a real playground it is!

We hiked along the McKenzie River Trail, one of the premier mountain biking trails in the west.  We soaked in a natural hot springs.  We marveled at forests petrified in 200 feet of icy cold water -- remnants of the volcanic eruption that formed Clear Lake over 3,000 years ago.  We gazed at Blue Pool -- a deep pool that just "appears" in the forest.

And yes, when the lightening and thunder and rain filled the sky -- we were warm and dry in "Bessie". Loving It.

The BLUE POOL.  And it really is that BLUE!  Cold -- entire river is less than 40F so no swimming!

Bessie of the Forest!  

Waterfalls along the McKenzie River, Williamette National Forest

A big tree falls on the trail.....let's go OVER it.

The McKenzie River National Recreation Trail.  Walkers and Riders.  WOW

Another Falls along the River

Clear Lake, formed 3,000 years ago when Sand Mountain erupted.  Lava dammed the River.

DEEP water hides a still standing, petrified forest...from 3,000 years ago!

Walk, walk, walk.  Oh a lovely trail.

The Best of Seattle

The Best of Seattle...or Seattle is the Best?  Either title reflects our joy to be in the center of the universe, at least in the Pacific Northwest!

The Best...has to be spending time with David and Monica.  Just no competition.  Not seeing wonderful friends, checking out "our residence" near Green Lake, walking along the beach front of West Seattle, gathering in the stunning views of Mt Ranier, the Cascades, and Puget Sound.

The BEST is spending time with David and Monica.

Toasting Anniversary #22 in the RV

Living Large in the RV

Home Is Where You Park

Yup, when you go over to the dark, RV side:  Home Is Where You Park.  And we are parking now in Bothell, WA ready to enjoy a visit with David & Monica.

So, about that RV....or our Coach.  A Winnebago Aspect 27.  Alan used to call them "bag a winos" but now -- look -- people like us!

It all started in Colorado at a Mongolian BBQ place eating dinner with Alisa and Joe.  My fortune cookie read:  Something on 4 wheels will soon be a fun investment for you!  We all laughed -- that sounded like an invitation to investigate RVs.  We checked out a few units and during our stay in Colorado actually drove a few units.

But the concept seemed hard to accept and the entry price a bit steep and the timing too sudden.  So we drove off -- still in the tent.  Totally aware of how much BETTER our lives would be in an RV.  We kept our eyes open in various campgrounds and looked at models in a couple of towns.  Our search narrowed to a Winnebago Aspect / Itasca Cambria (identical models) with very specific options.  Maybe we figured if we got really picky -- we'd never find the unit.  At least not now.

We spent a couple of days in Glacier National Park before being chased out by a bit of a nasty forecast:  rain, hail, high winds.  Off to Spokane and a hotel room.  While I'm busy trying to find our next "camping site", Alan is online busy trying to find "our Coach."  Look here he calls out -- I found THE COACH in Eugene, Oregon.  Um, really?

I talked with Mom and Dad....and Dad's advice:  just do it.  Maybe he knows how long I can agonize over decisions but maybe he also could figure out how much BETTER our lives would be -- off the ground, out of the tent, with refrigeration, and living in comfy style.  Camping in a 2 person tent is fun for a few days...but for a few months....every year.  Enough already.

So we left Spokane and did indeed aim for Eugene.  We were on the lot by 4pm.  We were signing for the unit by 6pm.  And in shock for about a week!!!

And all I can say now:  Why did we wait so long?

The first night we were in the Coach it began to sprinkle.  BRING IT ON!!!

PS.  And as a final note -- had we gone off camping we would have ended up in the North Cascades National Park.  And this last weekend they had severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and the highway is closed indefinitely.  That would have been a real story for the blog--stranded with 65 other hikers.

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park -- go now to actually see a glacier -- but the signs of glacial forces abound in the Park.  The forests are green and lush; wild flowers at higher elevations are sprinkled through the meadows; the animals and birds relish in this enormous intact ecosystem.

More of the same from us:  camping, birding, hiking, ranger programs.  On a calm sunny day we paddled along the shore of Lake McDonald (on the west side) struck by the clear water from snowpack runoff.

When even the park rangers described the weather forecast as "hike now and then leave for a few days"  we headed west to Spokane to retreat to a hotel.  A huge low pressure system was bringing wind, hail and rain (in, um, measurable amounts for a couple of days).  In 2 summers this is our first hotel stay due simply to weather.  Dreaming about that RV we are!!

Lovely creek water as we birded McDonald Creek.  We spotted 2 female harlequin ducks but no chicks.   

Avalanche Lake.  Classic glacier cirque.  So many waterfalls.

Mountain Goat along a trail.  We watched them on cliff sides, sure they were about to stumble and fall.  NOT.

Alpine flower

Walking in the lush green forest.
 Clap clap TALK clap clap.  Anything to keep the bears away.

Love that color!

How many goats can you find???

Going to the Sun Road.  Really for us...Going to the Rain Clouds Road.

Delicate snippets of color along the trail

Let's go canoeing!  We saw fish!

My favorite Tshirt in the park!

Rocks and Water