Friday, November 2, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
A trip w/o Howie to Maui
Our condo is just across the street at KKN
One of two cache sites on a morning walk
One of many local talents entertaining the shoppers
One of the morning 6AM alarm clocks
One of our 6PM sunsets
A Costco tempura shrimp and salad dinner
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Heading home
October 3, 2012 (Day 250)
We decided that since the weather was turning a bit cooler, we’d head home today. But before we did, we went wine tasting with Marilyn and Gene.
Leaving Toppenish, we saw many murals such as this one. Toppenish is known for its murals. We’ll have to come back and explore them sometime.
Our first stop was at the Hyatt winery, where Judy discovered a Black Muscat wine that she liked. We had fun posing for this picture on the driveway to the winery. Clever way to display the name!
Our next stop was Two Mountain Winery, one of Marilyn’s favorites. While she was deciding just what to buy, we were surprised to see some familiar faces drive up. Taran and Michelle! They were the young women we had met back at The Cove Palisades State Park in Oregon. Marilyn and Gene had told them about the wineries around Zillah, but we didn’t expect we’d meet up there. We were the only two sets of visitors that morning..what are the chances? Since they were at the end of their camping trip, Taran and Michelle gave us some firewood and groceries they didn’t want to take back to Minnesota.
Our last stop was at Silver Lake. Again, we found a wine we liked, but the gentleman who was pouring told us we could find a better price at some grocery stores. How’s that for service?
We made our goodbyes to Marilyn and Gene. They are continuing north to Winthrop and Lynden, and we were heading over Snoqualmie Pass and home. We stopped for a quick break at the top of the pass, and just happened to park behind another Sprinter Pleasureway. These people were from Canada, and heading over to Yakima on their way to the Southwest, so of course we had to share information about camping at the Yakama Nation Rv Park and the wineries to visit in Zillah. They were grateful!
It’s been an unusual fall in all of the Pacific NW. We had great weather everywhere we went on this trip, and we returned to great weather in Lake Stevens…..although it is getting colder every night. Fall is definitely in the air. This may be Howie’s last outing for the year 2012.
We decided that since the weather was turning a bit cooler, we’d head home today. But before we did, we went wine tasting with Marilyn and Gene.
Leaving Toppenish, we saw many murals such as this one. Toppenish is known for its murals. We’ll have to come back and explore them sometime.
Our first stop was at the Hyatt winery, where Judy discovered a Black Muscat wine that she liked. We had fun posing for this picture on the driveway to the winery. Clever way to display the name!
Our next stop was Two Mountain Winery, one of Marilyn’s favorites. While she was deciding just what to buy, we were surprised to see some familiar faces drive up. Taran and Michelle! They were the young women we had met back at The Cove Palisades State Park in Oregon. Marilyn and Gene had told them about the wineries around Zillah, but we didn’t expect we’d meet up there. We were the only two sets of visitors that morning..what are the chances? Since they were at the end of their camping trip, Taran and Michelle gave us some firewood and groceries they didn’t want to take back to Minnesota.
Our last stop was at Silver Lake. Again, we found a wine we liked, but the gentleman who was pouring told us we could find a better price at some grocery stores. How’s that for service?
We made our goodbyes to Marilyn and Gene. They are continuing north to Winthrop and Lynden, and we were heading over Snoqualmie Pass and home. We stopped for a quick break at the top of the pass, and just happened to park behind another Sprinter Pleasureway. These people were from Canada, and heading over to Yakima on their way to the Southwest, so of course we had to share information about camping at the Yakama Nation Rv Park and the wineries to visit in Zillah. They were grateful!
It’s been an unusual fall in all of the Pacific NW. We had great weather everywhere we went on this trip, and we returned to great weather in Lake Stevens…..although it is getting colder every night. Fall is definitely in the air. This may be Howie’s last outing for the year 2012.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Traveling to Toppenish
October 2, 2012 (Day 249)
We went from Madras, Oregon to Toppenish, Washington today. We went from clear blue sunny skies to slightly cloudy with smoke skies. We went from warm and sunny to cool and windy. We went from high desert, through forests, through farmland, back to desert, over a pass, through forests and back to dry, desert looking land. We drove on highway 97 north across the Columbia river, and ended up at the Yakama Nation RV Park, next to their casino. It seems to be a nice place. We took advantage of the afternoon warmth and used the pool and hot tub for a short time. Then we took Marilyn and Gene out to dinner at their favorite Mexican restaurant, Villa Senor, where the mole sauce was “to die for”. When we returned to our camp, we taught them to play Chicago Rummy, which Harris won in the last hand.
Not a very exciting day, but life is like that sometimes!
We stopped for lunch next to this 1900 jailhouse in Moro, OR
There were many many new wind turbines on Hwy 27 crossing into WA
Smoke and dust in the air colored the sky
Total miles driven= 168
Last night in Oregon...
October 1, 2012 (Day 248)
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)
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)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Another Lazy Day in Cove Palisades ST Park
September 30, 2012 (Day 247)
We woke up with good intentions…but again, we started talking to our neighbors, and ended up just taking a short walk through the brush to the fence that keeps you from going over a 600 foot cliff. There is a great view of the Crooked River below. (or maybe it’s the lake formed from a dam..we’ll find out later)
We had communicated with Marilyn and Gene a few days ago, and they decided to join us on their way north from Yosemite. So we grabbed a campsite long enough for their new trailer and reserved it for them before we went off on a quick trip to Madras for wi-fi and groceries. Although why we thought we needed any groceries with Marilyn arriving!
Harris went off to find the ranger and pay for our spot for the night, and ended up talking to this guy with his Model T. Dennis Printz (sp?)has worked on model T’s for over 30 years and was camping with this one when it broke down during the 200 mile camping trip. He said that he once took it back to Model T convention in Illinois, a trip of over 2000 miles without a mishap. It was headed back to the homestead for repairs.
We admired Marilyn’s new trailer, and enjoyed the great dinner she cooked for us: fried chicken, rice pilaf, salad, zucchini, fresh bread sticks, wine and dessert. Nothing like camping in style!
Marilyn and Gene’s new trailer has plenty of room to play cards, so we finished the evening with Phase 10, which Marilyn won.
Perhaps tomorrow we’ll get some hiking or geocaching done!
Total miles driven today = 28
We woke up with good intentions…but again, we started talking to our neighbors, and ended up just taking a short walk through the brush to the fence that keeps you from going over a 600 foot cliff. There is a great view of the Crooked River below. (or maybe it’s the lake formed from a dam..we’ll find out later)
We had communicated with Marilyn and Gene a few days ago, and they decided to join us on their way north from Yosemite. So we grabbed a campsite long enough for their new trailer and reserved it for them before we went off on a quick trip to Madras for wi-fi and groceries. Although why we thought we needed any groceries with Marilyn arriving!
Harris went off to find the ranger and pay for our spot for the night, and ended up talking to this guy with his Model T. Dennis Printz (sp?)has worked on model T’s for over 30 years and was camping with this one when it broke down during the 200 mile camping trip. He said that he once took it back to Model T convention in Illinois, a trip of over 2000 miles without a mishap. It was headed back to the homestead for repairs.
We admired Marilyn’s new trailer, and enjoyed the great dinner she cooked for us: fried chicken, rice pilaf, salad, zucchini, fresh bread sticks, wine and dessert. Nothing like camping in style!
Marilyn and Gene’s new trailer has plenty of room to play cards, so we finished the evening with Phase 10, which Marilyn won.
Perhaps tomorrow we’ll get some hiking or geocaching done!
Total miles driven today = 28
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Lazy Day in Cove Palisades ST Park
September 29, 2012 (Day 246)
When we left our RV park this morning, we told ourselves we’d hike later, when we got to the state park, so we could skip the morning walk. Good intentions!
First we drove south to Redmond and Terrebonne so Judy could visit the quilt shops. (Redmond, not worth it, Terrebonne great). Then we went further north on 97 to The Cove Palisades State Park outside of Culver.
This is a great state park. In fact, as we learned from people around us, it is the most visited park in Oregon. It’s reservations for summer fill up in January. Luckily for us, fall is a little more open. Half the campground is closed for the season, but that still leaves 89 sites. We sited Howie so that as we opened our door, we got a great view of Mt. Jefferson. We pulled out our chairs and ate our lunch enjoying the view. We watched this squirrel climbing a tree to get to seeds.
Then we got on our bikes, intending to at least tour the grounds….but….we stopped to talk to a couple down the road a piece….and about 5 hours later returned to Howie!
Ron and Renee were camping in an Airstream, and are from the Portland area. We just enjoyed visiting. They brought out some chips and drinks. Then they hailed another couple a few sites away, Rob and Susan from Vancouver, BC. The party went on until it got dark and a bit chilly. We had to come home for dinner but by then it was after 7 and we just decided to nibble instead of cooking a full meal.
The campground has some green grass around the sites, and then it opens onto wild grasslands. While we were visiting, we saw several deer wander through, and this jack rabbit.
We almost missed the sunset!
The moon will be bright again tonight.
Miles driven today = 47
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Leaving the falls
September 28, 2012 Day 245
We decided to do one more waterfall hike before leaving Silver Falls State Park. We drove to the North Falls parking lot, and then walked down. And down. And down….to the top of the falls, and then down some more to get to the bottom. North Falls is 136 feet of falling water. The trail winds down and then behind the falls, almost inside a huge cave overhang. A bit spooky for Judy who doesn’t like caves much. But it is awe inspiring to watch the water from the back as well as the usual front view.
We continued on for while before deciding we’d head back up. (and up and up). We were amazed at the huge logs and boulders in the river. The boulders looked to be about 20 feet in diameter..at least.
We left the west side of Oregon, heading east toward Redmond. Of course, we had to make a quick quilt shop stop in Stayton, before heading east on highway 22. This was a beautiful highway, through forests of huge evergreens, and deciduous trees just beginning to turn colors. As we climbed higher toward the pass, the deciduous trees disappeared entirely. It reminded us of highway 2 to Stevens Pass. At the top of Santiam Pass, we saw acres and acres of white trees…leftover ghosts of a huge fire here. Then, over the pass, into the dry side, huge pine trees instead of firs, and almost desert country. Just like Washington…such variety within short drives…oceans to mountains to deserts.
We stopped in Redmond to get a few groceries, then drove to our RV spot for the night. We’re at River Rim RV Park in Crooked River Ranch, just outside Redmond. It’s a small park, very desert like, on the rim, obviously, overlooking a river. Harris cooked a great dinner of grilled salmon, rice and salad. The night was dark and peaceful, and again we had to walk outside to admire our moonshadows. Harris managed to get a picture of the bright moon.
Total miles driven = 130
We decided to do one more waterfall hike before leaving Silver Falls State Park. We drove to the North Falls parking lot, and then walked down. And down. And down….to the top of the falls, and then down some more to get to the bottom. North Falls is 136 feet of falling water. The trail winds down and then behind the falls, almost inside a huge cave overhang. A bit spooky for Judy who doesn’t like caves much. But it is awe inspiring to watch the water from the back as well as the usual front view.
We continued on for while before deciding we’d head back up. (and up and up). We were amazed at the huge logs and boulders in the river. The boulders looked to be about 20 feet in diameter..at least.
We left the west side of Oregon, heading east toward Redmond. Of course, we had to make a quick quilt shop stop in Stayton, before heading east on highway 22. This was a beautiful highway, through forests of huge evergreens, and deciduous trees just beginning to turn colors. As we climbed higher toward the pass, the deciduous trees disappeared entirely. It reminded us of highway 2 to Stevens Pass. At the top of Santiam Pass, we saw acres and acres of white trees…leftover ghosts of a huge fire here. Then, over the pass, into the dry side, huge pine trees instead of firs, and almost desert country. Just like Washington…such variety within short drives…oceans to mountains to deserts.
We stopped in Redmond to get a few groceries, then drove to our RV spot for the night. We’re at River Rim RV Park in Crooked River Ranch, just outside Redmond. It’s a small park, very desert like, on the rim, obviously, overlooking a river. Harris cooked a great dinner of grilled salmon, rice and salad. The night was dark and peaceful, and again we had to walk outside to admire our moonshadows. Harris managed to get a picture of the bright moon.
Total miles driven = 130
Friday, September 28, 2012
Silver Falls State Park
September 26, 27 2012 (Days 243,244)
We drove a whole 15 miles from Silverton to Silver Falls State Park to camp for a couple of nights. We drove through some beautiful countryside….lots and lots of Christmas tree farms, in various stages. Some were mature trees ready to cut, others were knee high, and others were little tiny seedlings just getting started.
We arrived at the park mid afternoon, and were actually a bit surprised at how many campsites were occupied. Seems we’re not the only retired folks who like to camp in September!
After a quick lunch we toured a bit on our bikes, and went to the 4 mile bike path that led from the campsite, through the historical area, around a meadow and back again.
The park has over 9000 acres of “spectacular scenery”…(from a brochure, and we’re not going to argue). The CCC built the South Falls Lodge in the 1930’s.
Once used as a restaurant, diners ate on tables and chairs built from only two myrtle trees. The nuggets of knowledge we went away with were the facts that myrtle wood is among the strongest and long-lasting woods available, but if not dried one of the fastest to warp. When dried 18,000 pounds become 8,000 pounds of durable straight wood as evidenced by the tables inside the lodge today.
Back to camp, a great dinner and a movie on the computer..(the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel..great) then an unusual card game. Unusual because Judy beat Harris…a lot to a little (200 to 6 when Harris gave up)! We had a very peaceful night’s sleep after we went outside to enjoy the bright moon.
Thursday
The park’s most famous feature is the Trail of Ten Falls. These falls come from two forks of Silver Creek, as it tumbles over thick basalt lava flows resting on softer, older rock. The softer layers beneath the basalt eroded over time and created natural pathways behind some of the falls. The entire trail is 8 miles, and we elected to do the 5 mile loop today and leave some of it for tomorrow.
This is South Falls, 177 feet in height, and one that you can walk behind.
This is Lower South Falls, 93 feet high, and another one you can walk behind.
Another view of the same Lower South Falls.
Interesting trees bent over the trail that Harris liked along the trail.
The weather was absolutely perfect for hiking. The sun was out, but the trail was almost all shaded, so we didn’t get too hot. Sun seekers get lucky again!
Total miles driven today= zero!
We drove a whole 15 miles from Silverton to Silver Falls State Park to camp for a couple of nights. We drove through some beautiful countryside….lots and lots of Christmas tree farms, in various stages. Some were mature trees ready to cut, others were knee high, and others were little tiny seedlings just getting started.
We arrived at the park mid afternoon, and were actually a bit surprised at how many campsites were occupied. Seems we’re not the only retired folks who like to camp in September!
After a quick lunch we toured a bit on our bikes, and went to the 4 mile bike path that led from the campsite, through the historical area, around a meadow and back again.
The park has over 9000 acres of “spectacular scenery”…(from a brochure, and we’re not going to argue). The CCC built the South Falls Lodge in the 1930’s.
Once used as a restaurant, diners ate on tables and chairs built from only two myrtle trees. The nuggets of knowledge we went away with were the facts that myrtle wood is among the strongest and long-lasting woods available, but if not dried one of the fastest to warp. When dried 18,000 pounds become 8,000 pounds of durable straight wood as evidenced by the tables inside the lodge today.
Back to camp, a great dinner and a movie on the computer..(the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel..great) then an unusual card game. Unusual because Judy beat Harris…a lot to a little (200 to 6 when Harris gave up)! We had a very peaceful night’s sleep after we went outside to enjoy the bright moon.
Thursday
The park’s most famous feature is the Trail of Ten Falls. These falls come from two forks of Silver Creek, as it tumbles over thick basalt lava flows resting on softer, older rock. The softer layers beneath the basalt eroded over time and created natural pathways behind some of the falls. The entire trail is 8 miles, and we elected to do the 5 mile loop today and leave some of it for tomorrow.
This is South Falls, 177 feet in height, and one that you can walk behind.
This is Lower South Falls, 93 feet high, and another one you can walk behind.
Another view of the same Lower South Falls.
Interesting trees bent over the trail that Harris liked along the trail.
The weather was absolutely perfect for hiking. The sun was out, but the trail was almost all shaded, so we didn’t get too hot. Sun seekers get lucky again!
Total miles driven today= zero!
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