Letter 7 Oregon II

Friday June 1 since we didn’t have reservations for the weekend we were forced to say goodbye to all 100 girl scouts in the state park. They really had been good and didn’t wake us up when they came to bed at 10:30. We had been told about the Newberry Crater so we drove south stopping at the visitor center. We were told to hurry to the top of the Lava Butte to see the

lava flow north blocking the Deschutes River, deflecting it from its former channel.

South of the visitor center we turned east and gradually climbed to the top of Newberry Crater where we found the two lakes. There are several campgrounds in the area but we fell in love

with Little Crater Campground right on the water. It is first come camping with no hookups, and several spots that had Jo Atkins name on them. In East Lake CG we picked out sites 9 or 12 to reserve if necessary. The water was so

clear Olivia claimed to see at least 10 of the 200’ depth.

Saturday, June 1 We moved to Crooked River RV park north of Redmond. What a gorge

Crooked River forms. We came around a bend in the road and looked down on the shelf to see the community of

Crooked River. Houses looked over the top ridge with many others in this valley. The campground is center right with a long roof line behind it. This is a Passport America commercial campground and what a beautiful setting it is. We walked to the edge of the river bluff being told it was 300’ feet to the river. Fred didn’t tarry long and left Olivia to be photographer.

After settling in we drove east a few miles to Smith Rock State Park which protects a sanctuary of majestic rock spires that rise above the winding Crooked River. It is an internationally renowned destination for rock climbing. The parking lots were full, but we saw few people as they were on the trails and climbing rocks as we witnessed these

two people in the dark part of this rock. Can you find them? We watched until both were at the top. There are others at the bottom of the cliff also. From a different view we could see the

river picnic area below the cliffs.

Sunday, June 3 we drove back into Bend to attend the

First United Methodist Church. We were welcomed by several couples who kept us from finding a seat. Olivia was intrigued by

two openings high in the entry wall. Origami birds of all colors represented good deed of someone. The service was taken over by the choir to sing their favorites of the year. This sanctuary had many

old stain glass windows. The pastor randomly tells about the window, symbolism and who gave the windows to the church. A very nice tradition. They had removed their pews and placed new chairs and turned the center to the side.

Monday, June 4 we had a very long day. We left camp about 10 am and headed north then north west toward Portland. It rained all night and was raining as we left and continued to be a nice gentle rain most of the way. North of Madras we entered the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and as we did we decended the Metolius Bench and dropped several thousand feet to the river, then climbed back up to the flat prairie. There were no stops or pullouts, then we entered

very dense forests. About this time we entered nine miles of rough road. At Government Camp we had headed due west. We were at 4,000 on the south end of Mt Hood, but we couldn’t see it for the low clouds.

North of Sandy we turned west through Boring and for the next 20 miles it was stop and go on a two lane road. We were following the Iphone’s directions and had done well until it led us to a dead end in an industrial area. We were so close to the city park, but couldn’t get across the river. Finally we studied the screen long enough to find a bridge and the park. WHEW!

The day wasn’t over as we had homework to do to find a campground for June 16 when we bring Teenya and Alan back to the airport in Portland. We drove to Troutdale, bought step mats for the trailer, gas at Safeway and a tool at Home Depot, then scouted the Columbia east of Portland for campgrounds.

The one Olivia had picked out was full and looked like it would be then too. We passed another and got their scoop, and headed back to the trailer. We talked to the host and they said they would hold a spot for us if we called. WHEW! WHEW!!

Just as we were settled in for the night, the wind picked up. Fred closed the front awning! It turned cold. Guess we just had a blue norther!

Tuesday June 5 was a much better day. The sun was out, off and on with a few showers. We arrived at County Line park on the north side of the Columbia River northwest of Portland. This would be where we would be camped when Teenya and Alan arrived. Sure enough two friends we met here last year and the camp host were here again. How nice, it was just like

old home week. We set up and went to work preparing for the kids! NOT GOATS! Along with visiting and watching the ships go by. We were told one

huge red one had 4-6,000 cars on it. Can you imagine the cost on board that ship?

Several people were set up fishing along the shore of the camp, but only a few were catching. Inside we were very comfortable, but outside it was very nippy. Later in the day, we heard a bell ring and Bob our camp host had one on the line.

Robert ran to assist with a net. After about 15 minutes the fish was
landed with

Jerry looking on. We enjoy watching the excitement all the way up and down the walkway when the bell rings.

Thursday June 7 the sun came out for a little while and showed us

Mt St Helen up the river. Everyday we prepared to have the trailer ready for a week of hard use by minor repairs, laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc. Just like at home when expecting company. In between we visited with neighbors and

watched the ships. All week the Canadian and US fleet had been expected to arrive. They were on the way to Portland for their Parade of Roses festival. Finally the

fleet started arriving. We watched several ships of all sizes.

Friday, June 8 we slept in trying to get rested up for Teenya and Alan then watched the iphone to track their progress across country. They arrived late in the afternoon. After picking them up we drove back to County Line park in time for supper and views of the fishermen and boats on the river. Teenya said the weather was too cold. She has learned she doesn’t like wet and cold. Alan enjoyed watching a steelhead trout being caught and it was cleaned just like a mackerel.

Saturday, June 9 we headed west to the Ft Disappointment

stopping at Dismal Nitch. This was one of the last stops for Lewis and Clark when they were caught in a tight spot in a six day storm. The fort was named later when Capt Cook was caught in the Pacific nearby. Our day was pretty and TA (short from now on for Teenya and Alan) as they explored the Lewis and Clark

museum. TA were amazed at how the Lewis & Clark men survived cold and fleas. They all became Nit Pickers.

We had been told by more than one person to eat at an old boat on the parking lot across the street from the museum in Astoria. So we let our iphone lead us to the museum and sure enough there was

Bowpicker’s Fish & Chips. We shared an order and Alan ate a whole order. Teenya had to find sandwich supplies in the trailer. Too bad she isn’t a seafood eater as this coast features some of the best we have had. We stopped at all the view points looking north and south

along Cannon Beach. Heading south again stopping for

views of Nehalen Beach and the Nehalem winery. Teenya was enamored with their wine enough to end up with a

large shipping box, now called “THE BOX.” She planned on adding this to her checked luggage for the flight home.

Tillamook Cheese factory was a big stop for all as we

enjoyed their ice cream. A passport America RV park was our home in Netarts west of Tillamook.

Sunday, June 10 we explored the three arches loop where we found

Cape Lookout and Cape Kiwanda. On the beach at Cape Lookout TA enjoyed taking pictures in both directions and they also enjoyed visiting with a researcher who told them about Hypoxia off the Pacific Northwest Coast. Hypoxia means low-oxygen in the water which is too low to support most fishes, crabs and other marine life. He was taking samples of the water.

We stopped at a small pullout to see Cape Lookout State Park where we had camped with Blaire four years ago. Hang gliders

like to use this point to sail to the beach below.

One the north end of Three Capes Loop we stopped to see the lighthouse at Cape Mears.

Teenya was enamored with the birds on some of the huge rocks. We all learned the Common Murre lives about 200 miles out into the Pacific and only comes to shore to nest shoulder to shoulder to raise their young. Their stark white breast contrasts sleek black feathers to resemble a penguin. Fourteen different species all vie for suitable space on the islands where they can lay their eggs. Also at this location was an

octopus tree. Actually it is a Spruce tree that has grown up deformed.

The Cape Mears lighthouse is actually only about 40’ tall as it is placed on the top of a point. They didn’t have to build it tall as it was on a cliff.

Hooking up we again headed south to our home for two nights. Beverly Beach is one of our favorites and we enjoyed sharing one of the

previously logged trees that wouldn’t die. It sprouted roots around the stump and continued to live. TA liked the density and height of the forest in Oregon. Green, green, green. This night TA stayed in a

YURT which is a wood frame tent. They walked on the beach and watched the sunset which was so slow. The sun hung on the horizon and took time going down.

Monday, June 11 We timed it right for low tide to see the

tidal pools at Yehina Head. It was fun

poking fingers into the sea urchins. Teenya enjoyed touching a starfish and found it was like a hard rough rock. All the little white things are muscles on the rocks. This

was the first time for TA to seesea lions and seals as they sunned themselves on the rocks.

We dashed up to Fogarty Beach so we could pick up

agates at low tide. TA played the Ellen DeGen trick on Olivia, by dancing behind her. Teenya enjoyed looking at all the grains of sand with many different colors. She loved the shapes, places and textures on the beach.

We saw from a distance the Japanese Tsumani pier that had washed ashore on Agate Beach. We stayed away for radiation poisoning warning. This evenings meal was at the original Mo's

for their famous chowder. TA enjoyed the onion rings and they were excellent.

Tuesday, June 11 we moved a few miles down the coast and set up camp at Tillicum Forest Camp between Waldport and Yachats. TA spent this night in a small motel in Yachats. After setting up we went sight seeing south of Yachats at Cape Perpetua to see the wave action at the

Devil’s Churn and

Spouting Horn. Along the trail was an

unusual mushroom. Anyone have an idea what kind it was? We left it for someone else to try it. Another side trip was to see the

Darlingtonia flesh eating flowers. Going south again we stopped to see more

wave action below HectaHead and the start of the

Oregon Sand Dunes.

Florence was our home for two more days at Jessie Honeyman State Park. Teenya and Fred battled out to see who was the

best campfire builder. Both had good fires, but Teenya didn’t use any liquid starter.
Thursday, June 14 Teenya gave Olivia a much needed hair cut. THANK YOU TEENYA. Olivia said she didn’t know why the haircut didn’t happen earlier so they didn’t have to look at that stringy hair. TA took an incredibly fun 30 minutes

dune buggy trip. They left wanting more. Alan wished he could have been the driver. Both wished for a buff to cover their mouths so they could open to shout, “Whee!” as they flew over the dunes.

The afternoon found us hiking to

Sweet Creek Falls where we picnicked on the rocks. Others were swimming in the pond below the falls. Teenya would have liked to but the water was too cold. The road had petered out as we found the parking lot, but there was a narrow road on passed it. Olivia wanted to see where it went, then Teenya said let's go. The wonderlust in this family won out.

Sure enough it was a true adventure on this shortcut. The trees

drooped over the road. We could tell the road was cleared, but cleared just enough for

one vehicle. We did not meet anyone. Fred said, This forest is trying real hard to claim the road.

TA said, “Fred is a very good driver, especially on this 23 miles of unpaved road of rock slides, sharp drops with no guard rails, trees in road, high & low face slapping bushes in windows rolled down, palm sweating turns, old logging National Forest road, ridge drive, in and out of shade.

TA both agreed that when they arrive back in Rockport they will feel like the trees shrunk to bushes. Teenya and Olivia shopped in town where Teenya found some hand blown bead to make a necklace. We ate at

another Mo’s.

Friday, June 15, we arose early for a mad dash to Portland. As we arrived we could see

Mt Hood and

Saint Helen's in the distance. This was the first time for Olivia to see Mt Hood. All there other time we had been in the area, Mt Hood had been in the clouds. After setting up camp at Clackamette Park in Oregon City, we headed out to the Columbia River gorge. We stopped at the Fish Hatchery to see the huge

Hermon the Sturgeon fish. Teenya also enjoyed the

beautiful roses in the gardens. At Bonneville Dam we watched

fish swimming up the fish ladder.

Supper found us at a great little drive-in that should be on Diner’s Drive-In’s and Dives. The East Wind Drive In at Cascade Locks was where we shared

hamburgers, tater-tots and onion rings, so we could each have a taste treat of their ice cream swirls. Olivia had a caramel swirl while Fred delighted in strawberry, and TA had chocolate. This is a great old time greasy spoon, locally owned Mom & pop operation. We could tell by the

crowd that this is a very popular place.

Teenya and Olivia arranged her

beads to see how the necklace would look, then she packed it for traveling. TA enjoyed watching the

Canadian Geese in the river and campground.

Saturday June 16 We had researched a DDD breakfast place and decided on the ByWays Café. We arrived about 11 am to see a

line outside as well as diners on the sidewalk. We had seen the menu online and decided we would each order something different and allow good size samples for everyone. Olivia ordered

Amaretto French toast, Teenya a Mexican flavored eggs, Alan enjoyed the

Best Corn Beef Hash he had in a long time and Fred ate Blue Corn pancakes and commented it had been a long time since he had paid $30 for breakfast. Olivia reminded him of Brennan’s in New Orleans. This place had a

fun atmosphere with the wall decorations and Olivia loved their coffee. A trip to the tiny restroom took us through the little

kitchen and the cooks loved posing for the camera.

Portland’s motto is Keep Portland Weird, so we followed the crowd to the Saturday Market, which is held every Saturday and Sunday most months. It has been held for years under the Burnside Bridge near the Skidmore fountain. Mr. Skidmore erected the fountain in 1885 to provide refreshment for the “horses, men, and dogs” of Portland. Artisans and local crafts people sell their wares at booths under the bridge. From the dress of the patrons and

musicians we believe Portland is living up to their motto. One young man had a pit bull and would take a $1 to kiss the dog. There were many unique free spirits in the crowd and entertaining everyone. While enjoying the local booths the best we saw goods from Mexico and India. Since we were here four years ago, the market area has been improved and paved. They have added one of the

sprinkler fountains for all to enjoy, especially on HOT days (87) like this one.

Olivia likes this kind of fountain that can be enjoyed by all. She waded across to meet Fred in the shade. Teenya really enjoyed shopping at all the booths and found a special

daisy necklace, earrings and bracelet. Fred and Alan said, “They would not go back.” Their favorite t-shirt read Hexagon Pentagon Oregon with the symbols.

TA’s reflections they enjoyed first time to see the Common Murres, Grey Whales, sea lions and harbor seals. TA thought Newport resembled their home of Rockport, TX.

This was TA’s last day. They packed up and rested before we took them to the airport at 7:00 pm for their all night adventure in airports.

We enjoyed having TA for the week and hope the rest of the family will chose a time to join us also.

We have been requested to put people in our pictures and we hope this blog has fulfilled that desire. Please tell us what you liked or didn't, so we can work on improvements

Please respond to us at olivia@bobheck.com or Fredharrington@yahoo.com