Still in Bend, OR

Today's Photo Tumalo Falls, Bend, OR















As noted I'm still in Bend, OR, Tumalo State Park, Site B13.  I have to blame it on one of the sites followers - Jack B Nimble posted a comment that there was a nice waterfall just outside of town.  I did some looking on the internet & found Tumalo Falls is only 12 miles or so from the campground. The web pages noted that it was just a short walk from the parking lot to the base of the falls, so I figured I could fit a trip in, still do my laundry & get a reasonably early start south.

Well, my GPS had no trouble finding the falls, estimated 35 minutes so off I went.  Only one small problem - the main road ends & there is a 2 1/2 mile gravel road to the falls.  There is a gate across the gravel road.  Well, I didn't have my walk for the day, so why not?  Actually, it wasn't a bad walk, just a little longer than I expected.  I did see a nice small stream on the way as well as some interesting stumps.

When I reached the falls I could see why the road was closed - the parking lot was under a couple feet of snow.  There are more photos at 2011 Trip Day 18.

Anyway, by the time I got back it was too late to do both laundry & get a good start, so I decided to stay one more day here at Tumalo State Park.  After doing the laundry I still had a couple of hours left before dinner, and, since it was a nice day, I installed my Progressive EMS - HW30C Surge Protector.  Although this model doesn't correct low or high voltage, it does shut off the power to the trailer if there are any problems with the power source.

After that it was grilled Chicken Pollo Asado in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

Till Tomorrow!

Still in Bend, OR

The Three Sisters From the End of the Tumalo Reservoir Road















Last night I drove towards the mountains that are west of Bent to take a couple of sunset photos. Of course, the sun was setting behind the mountains, which makes for a pretty dull photo, but I was looking for an interesting location for the morning.

So, at 5:30AM (sunrise is 6:04) I rolled out of bed. Although it was warm & toasty in the trailer, the outside thermometer read 27°F. I thought I had moved out of the cold. Since Bend is at 3623', I guess they are allowed to have cold mornings! Anyway, I headed back out the same road (Tumalo Reservoir Road) to the same location (where the paving ends) and took a few photos. The mist on the water & the color of the mountains was a big improvement over last night! By the time I finished, my fingers were numb - the temperature was down to 23°F (isn't that going the wrong way?) and I headed back to the campground. I took too many photos, but I really liked the location. More at 2011 Trip, Day 17.


I did get a chance to try the solar showers (the air temperature was up to 40°F by the time I finished breakfast, coffee, processing the photos, etc.) the showers were just about as hot as I could stand. No adjustment, just a timed on push button. Of course when you got out of the shower records were broken getting dressed - no heat in the dressing area. At least I got dry before the water drops froze!

Well, baby has new shoes! The bad - $1120.00 installed. The good news - no sales tax. I probably could have gotten another couple of hundred miles out of the old tires, but the sales tax savings more than made up for buying them in California. By the way, it is 75°F this afternoon - sure warms up fast.

Since the solar showers have kitchen sinks attached, I decided grilling was a good idea - much easier to clean up in a big sink than in the little one in the trailer. So, it was a NY steak & fresh asparagus for dinner. The steak was delicious. I think the western states keep the more tender beef out here rather than ship it east.

After that it was showing the trailer to a couple of campers, then time to finish this posting. Not much driving today - the tires took over 3 hours. 56.3 miles; 4309.1 for the trip.

The plan is to head south on US 97 after doing laundry tomorrow morning.

Till then -

Bend, OR

Today's Photo - The Three Sisters, Sisters, OR.









Today was a straight (well actually anything but straight) run down OR 22 to Bent.  Although nothing like the passes in Montana, OR 22 goes through Santiam Pass at 4817'.  I hit light snow just before the pass, and there was 3'-4' feet on the sides of the road.  The roads were clear but wet...

Just Before Santiam Pass

Near the Top

I have an appointment to have the tires replaced on the RAV4 tomorrow & am spending two nights at Tumalo State Park, about 5 miles north of the Toyota dealership.  Oregon's parks switch from the less expensive "Discovery" mode to "Premier," on May 1st, raising the price for a full service site from $22.00 to $26.00, still a pretty good deal. I'm in site B13, a stone's throw from the solar showers.  I wonder if the water stays hot until the morning?  I guess I'll find out - I'm a morning shower person and have never been able to adjust to taking one in the evening.

Toyota Bend ( I guess that is a better name than "Bend Toyota") said they would call me after 3:00 to let me know if the tires came in - no phone call. I guess I'll just show up for my appointment.

I grilled for the first time.  I made a couple of hamburgers, & fresh green beans but while at the store saw some good looking shish kabobs - I think I'll pick one up for tomorrow.   The Coleman combination grill/stove worked well.  After dinner I took a walk to the river that runs along side the campground.

I got to Skype (on line video chat) with my daughter Karin & the grandkids this afternoon, and advantage of stopping early.  I keep forgetting that it is 3 hours later back in the east. 

Today was 103.5 miles & a trip total of 4252.8.

Till Tomorrow - 

Back at Fisherman's Bend

Today's Photo - A Section of the River Walk, Fisherman's Bend Campground, OR













I got a late start today after paying bills & other paperwork, including making an appointment with Toyota of Bend, OR to have my tires replaced.

It rained off and on, so I wasn't sure I'd be coming back to Fisherman's Bend - If it was dry I'd walk the waterfall hike at Silver Falls State Park & stay there for the night.  If it was raining, I planned to come back after just photographing the North Falls.  Well, it was raining, so I hauled the Escape to the falls & back.  Oh well, it is only gasoline (at $4.00 per gallon)!

The North Falls is OK, but not as impressive as those with multiple streams.  In any case, here is a photo:

Of course once I started back the sun came out - I'm sure if I had stayed, the rain would have continued.  When we made out last trip through the Northwest in 2004 we were labeled the rainmakers since it rained most nights even in areas that were having a drought. 

I'm taking a break to have dinner with Lou & Kathy - will finish this later. 

Well, it's later.  Kathy made a delicious Chicken Alfredo for dinner, followed by pumpkin pie with ice cream.  I better not get use to too many of these home cooked meals - I have to live with my own cooking for most of the trip.  Tomorrow it is back to the normal grind!

Till then - 

Fisherman's Bend

Today's Photo - The Yaquina Head Lighthouse, Newport, OR























I made a quick stop at the Yaquina Lighthouse in Newport, OR.  My plan (at least for today) is to start heading inland.  Not sure if I'll still try for the Burney Falls in California; I'll decide as I get further south. I already know it is way too early to try to stop at Crater Lake or Lassen Volcanic National Park.  I guess I'll have to make future trip later in the year, or maybe catch them on my way back north.

I stopped for the night at the BLM campground Fisherman's Bend near Mill City. OR.  It was at the suggestion of a couple I met on line that posts at the RV Pics Forum, Lou & Kathy. I'm glad they suggested the location. It is a beautiful campground; my site has full utilities &, with my Senior Pass, is only $11.00 per night.  Lots of trees with hanging moss, a river running through the campsite, hot showers, what more could you ask for?

Today's mileage was 253.9; and a total of 4063.7 for the trip.  I took US 20 out of Newport, then OR 226 to OR 22 to the campground. Pretty good roads, although US 20 is a bit beat up in sections.  It appears that they are rebuilding sections, taking out some of the twists & turns.

I finished off the sausage & spaghetti for dinner - It was either use it or dump it.  I'm getting used to cooking on a 2 burner stove, and, so far, have been able to live without an oven.  I do miss a real kitchen, but since even my small kitchen at home has more floor space than the entire trailer, I'll have to do without!

I remeasured the tread wear on the RAV4 tires - they still have a bit left, but it is time to start looking for a place to replace them.  Because they are an unusual size & designed to run flat, I don't know if I can get them from anyone other than Toyota.  I'll start looking tomorrow.

Till then -