The Oregon travel folks had multiple opportunities to lose their Oxen on the cut off that took them around the Craters of the Moon. The visitor center there reflected on how hard the lava was on hiking boots. But damn, just how many oxen lost their legs on the trail? I was trying to imagine the scouts that had the responsibility to pick the best trails that first time. I am thinking of a giant maze with hundreds of dead ends that lead the carts to large fissures that can't be navigated. I am thinking that turning an Oxen cart around on a narrow track has to be as challenging as towing four wheels down behind a "you can not back up" RV.
Much of the recent Oregon drive is parallel to the Oregon Trail. You look over to your right see the trail and realize that the passes that made travel possible then are the same as what makes building highways easier now. Somewhere in my reading I remember the statement that when Lewis and Clark came upon the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, they appeared to go on forever and they realized that there was not going to be a simple way farther west. But they kept going. Come to think of it, when I drove through the Sawtooth mountains there were a few twisty miles that seemed to go on forever for me, too.
And thinking of beautiful Indiana and southern Ill, how hungry those pioneers must have been for their own new lands to head west. Which verdant green valley along the way finally won some of them over. I mean the land keeps changing from dry and rocky to green and lush just depends upon which 100 mile stretch you are driving. Maybe when the last of their oxen died.
And I don't really want to think too hard about the Mormon's with their handy carts. Yes, you can stop along the highways and read about their journey's also.
The pups enjoying some outside time along the Salmon River back in Idaho.
Stopped in Pendleton, Oregon, home of the Pendleton Mills. Toured through part of the mill and saw many beautiful blankets, none of which really seemed practical even at Outlet prices. Such is the life when dogs get on beds and couches. I did like the fountain in the center of town, though I couldn't see any signage telling me any specific theme. There were books involved.
Some RV parks don't seem to care how old some of the rigs are.....
If the pioneers stopped here, their farming choices would have been limited. Yes, they made it to the great Columbia River but that is where most all the water is. The wagons followed the river and rolled on west.
But then they saw green again....and now it part of a National Forest Campground just east of Mt Hood. Only 20 sites and I found a large on at the end of the loop on the right. Oh, you can't see my rig?
I can in on Saturday afternoon so I was lucky. A tent camper was pulling out with her car about the time I pulled in near the Host's camp site. She told me about her just vacated site. It was on the river and beautiful.
Complete with long (if dusty) roads to walk dogs....
Some of these trees will join the others in the river this fall or next spring.
The best part of the campground was the amazing woman I met in the site next door. Naomi is my new "traveling woman" inspiration. (And I have her list of websites to share.) She has managed to travel all over on creativity, working unusual jobs and a shoe string. Currently she was serving as a travel buddy to someone who is walking the Pacific Crest Trail. Her job is to meet the individual every so many days with supplies and provide camping breaks along the way.
"Really, I would just jump in for a minute!" exclaimed Stuart.
Number 11 used to be a lot deeper at one time. Reminded me of one of the Canadian Provincial Parks in 2012 after their floods rearranged some of the camp sites and took them down river.
On Father's Day, fathers and their families in Oregon like to celebrate by driving up towards Mt. Hood and running through rocks......It seemed to draw a crowd, collecting their running numbers and warming up.
The wide rocky river beds remind you of how deep the snows are in winter and were it all runs in the spring.
Drive on up to Mt. Hood.
Yes, there were still a few "Hood Rats" finding their way up an down what was left of the snow.
Timberline Lodge built by the great CCC generation. Inside was beautiful wood and beams.
Other currently sleeping volcanos.
And not far from the PCT.
So without some super duper lenses, you might have to take my word for the fact that the ski left is heading up the mountain about in the center and the snow is filled with little black spots of persons sliding down the mountain.
On my day drive around Mt Hood, I drove down the Columbia River Gorge....the part that is green and scenic. Multnomah Falls. Also a very popular tourist stop.
Wait, these folks don't seem like the typical Father's Day tourist! Couldn't really tell if everyone stopped for pictures on the way to the reception but I will say it seemed as if everyone came and that everyone appeared happy and cooperative with who ever thought a wedding photo shoot at the falls on Father's Day was a good idea.
Date on the floor of the bridge towards the top of the falls
View of the Columbia River.
View of the crowd below.
Close up of several of the younger wedding goers down below as they appeared to be corralled for safe keeping as the bride and groom walked around getting photo shots in scenic places.
And that very crowed bridge? The tourists parted to each side and gave the photographer his moment and his shot.
Another Random Thought.....this is not a single serving package. Some of us get confused.
Stuart read the sign and agreed that he would stay back with the other puppers. The sign doesn't list missing children.
The railroad bridge was the first to be built across the gorge in 1911. The only other place to cross was 70 miles away at the time.
More sleeping volcanoes.....
And I think we can all see how it got named Crooked River.
This was the only car bridge across from 1920 till 1990 when new bridges were build next door to carry the greatly increased traffic flow.
"Remi, you think you could at least try to make the bed?"
"Ah, it's still chilly outside, I would rather stay here, if it is all the same to you. Is that a problem?" responds Remi.
I will never place bets (unless is has to do with some campgrounds in WV) about whether or not I am going to find cell service in the vast green spaces of this country. We are parked in the middle of the Umpqua National Forest and my Verizon WiFi is showing 4G and 4 bars?
I remember driving across Nevada then up the Sierras to lake Tahoe. I Could never believe that anyone would leave Tahoe and go back across that desert to tell other people about it.
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