We have been lazy the last two days, talking and enjoying meeting people, but not really getting our walks in. Well! Today we made up for it.
We decided to go for a “short” hike this morning with Marilyn and Gene. Marilyn went to get some detailed information from the ranger about hikes in the area. She came back all enthused about the seven mile Tam-a-lau Trail. We’d heard about this trail from other campers, and said, “okay, but not the entire 7 miles” (we got a late start…at least that was the excuse).
1/3 of the way up
The first mile is 600 feet up and up and up to the top of the butte, and then there is a 6 mile loop around the top. Gene’s dog, Trix, led the way, bounding up and as close to the edge as she was allowed. Marilyn followed, then Harris, and finally Judy. Judy has decided that she doesn’t really hike anymore. She trudges. But she gets there! It was a slow climb, with many switchbacks, but we were grateful that the day was fine and the trail was almost all in shade in the morning. Harris actually stopped for 3 caches on the way up, giving Judy time to rest.
One of the four caches found on the hike
Once on top, we walked another mile to a point where we could see where the Deschutes and Crooked Rivers came together, far, far below us. Harris had packed crackers, salami, cheese and apples for our lunch. He sent Judy off to join Marilyn and Gene in the shade a bit further down the trail to eat, while he looked for the last cache. He did this deliberately, because Judy was freaking out each time he got close to the edge of the cliff, and he was tired of hearing her say, “Be careful!”…and this time the cache was very, very close to the edge. He showed her where it was after he retrieved it, hoping to impress her with his bravery. She was neither impressed nor amused. She was wondering if she could sue a certain friend named Carl who introduced us to geocaching!
Cache on the edge!
Trix was a great hiker going up. Coming down, she was plain pooped, and tried to plop down and rest every time she found shade. Gene had to keep coaxing her along, saying, “Not long now!” When we got back to camp, she slept the afternoon away.
Harris and Judy resting on the way down
Trying to keep up with the Olson’s
Judy showing how far we’d gone
Marilyn made a great dinner of French dip sandwiches and salad, which we enjoyed eating outside in the beautiful late afternoon sun. We decided to take advantage of some firewood we had been given, and make a fire for our last night here. We were sitting around it, finishing the wine, enjoying hot chocolate and ice cream sandwiches when we noticed a car that was going around and around the loop, looking for a site to set up camp. We jokingly called out to them, because there were so many sites to choose from. Even with half the camp closed down, there are probably 50 sites and about 5 are taken. They joked back, and later came over to enjoy our fire with us while their dinner was cooking.
Harris starting a fire in the 80+ degree late afternoon
Marilynn and Gene hosting another well-designed dinner
We introduced ourselves, and met Michelle and Taran, two 26 year old women from Minnesota. They flew out to Seattle, rented a car, and set out on a camping trip with only a tent, 2 sleeping bags, a frying pan and a wooden spoon camping around parts of Washington and Oregon. They were having a great time camping ( the Washington wine helped a bit), and we had a great time visiting with them. We envy their youth and vitality, but not their tent and sleeping bags!
Total miles traveled today- zero (Gene drove)
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