Mount Hood, Oregon

This is Mount Hood in Oregon. The snow was melting and creeks were forming everywhere. After we passed Mount Hood and started descending towards the Columbia River, the valley opened up and we started seeing wineries and fresh produce stands.

Wednesday, June 23
It was our intent to pull out of camp at Sunriver, Oregon and arrive in Cascade Locks, Oregon early. However, the 5th wheel had other plans in mind. Chris tried to slide in the bedroom slide and it would not go in. Searched through the operating book for the location of the manual crank but no luck. Put in a call for a mobile RV service call but they were all busy. Finally found the hand crank location but had to go to the hardware to buy a socket. Finally we left at 12:30 pm.

We are almost to the Columbia River. The highway we drove took us through the Warm Springs Indian Reservation and around Mount Hood. There is still an abundance of snow on the mountain.

Just got a view of Mount St. Helens - WOW!

We visited this outstanding falls that is a mere 15 miles from Bend, Oregon. A trail allows for a nice hike to the top of the falls. The water flows to Bend and is the major souce of water provided to the town.

How to Bathe "Two" Labradors at The "U-Wash-Em"

We found a "U-Wash-Em" self-serve dog wash in Bend today. A very unique set up. There were 5 stalls with elevated tubs. They set up the ladder so the dogs could get in the tubs; provide the shampoo, rinse, brushes, towels and blo dryer (similar to a jet-vac) and even trim their nails. We did the washing, of course. For dogs who absolutely love the water, these two were petrified of the tubs and when it came time for the blo dryers, if they would not have been snugly chained, they would have jumped out of the tubs. All in all, they looked pretty spiffy after their baths and we even sprayed them with scented spray.

Then we were off to Pets-Mart for new collars and leashes and let them pick out a toy. Sasha was easy, she went for the tennis ball. Jasper didn't much care so she got a stuffed toy.

Chris & Sasha

Anne & Jasper

Brian, Alison and the dogs arrived on Thursday. Unfortunately Alison had a flu bug or ate bad food and was quite sick through the night. She felt much better on Friday so they were able to do some sightseeing. On Saturday they visited the Lava Cave, Lava Butte and other scenic lava areas. Sunday morning they headed home. Our grandson-to-be seems to be growing - 3 months to go before his appearance!

Digging for Thunder Eggs

On Friday we drove to Madras, Oregon (about an hour from camp) to the Richardson's Ranch and Rock Shop. Mrs. Richardson presented us with a map of the digging areas and off we went. We found out how much work this really is. It was a little warm so we didn't dig too long but we came away with about 12 thunder eggs which Chris will slice when we get home. They charge 75 cents a pound for what you take out.The rock shop is amazing along with the outside area loaded with rocks.

LAVA CAST FOREST, Bend, Oregon ~ During a volcanic eruption the lava flowed around the trees in this forest encasing them in lava and leaving a mold in place.

Lava Butte was once an active volcano near Bend, Oregon. There is a forest lookout at the top of the butte. You can walk around the perimeter of the butte and for the more energetic (not us), you can hike from the lower parking lot to the top of the butte. We drove to the upper parking lot and hiked the steep trail to the top.

GlASS BUTTE, OREGON~~Obsidian Paradise For Rockhounders

Five years ago we visited Glass Butte, Oregon and rock picked, chiseld, and dug in trenches for the most wonderful obsidian rock. The big stuff you have to work for. The smaller ones are all over the ground. On Sunday we went back to Glass Butte and dug for more obsidian. We were more selective this time as we are limited weight-wise towing the 5th wheel. This place is a rockhounders dream. Various colored obsidian is found in this area - black, black lace, lizard, pumpkin, green sheen, silver sheen, gold sheen and red and black.

Cowboy/girl saying for the day:


Saw this house with ivy all over it in a small town out of Grants Pass.

We are at the Thousand Trails camp in Sunriver, Oregon about 17 miles south of Bend, Oregon. A very nice camp with over a hundred camp spots, all with electric and water hookups. They have an adult swimming pool and one for the kids, shuffleboard, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a family lodge and a mini western town which contains the mini market, TV room, book exchange and their offices. Pictures below:

Tuesday we left the coast and headed inland to Grants Pass, Oregon. What a climate change from the damp, cool, ocean mist weather to warm and humid. Didn't take us long to unhitch the trailer, move the slide outs open, get the swimsuits on and head the 100 yards to the Rogue River and cool off. Even the dogs welcomed the chance to swim.

This contraption was sitting in the Smith River. Chris said he thought it might be a gold dredge.

This duck and her duckling kept swimming in front of the dogs testing their patience in the Rogue River.

Water dogs!

Thank you Oregon for diesel below $5.10 a gallon and you can't even pump your own gas in Oregon.

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Chris' Deep Sea Fishing Trip

Chris had a chance to go fishing with a group of guys in camp. So off they went at 5:30 am this morning to the marina to meet up with the charter fishing company. He caught 10 rock cod and 1 ling cod at 40 inches long. We won't go into the "seasickness" problem he had! The fishing was so good, he was back at camp by 9:15 a.m.






Filet fish:

More elk pictures

This little calf was hunting for its mother.

Nope - not a statue, but the real thing!

The fog was pretty thick on our way to Eureka this morning.

The Carson Mansion in Eureka,CA

Another victorian mansion in Eureka.