Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 4

Meeting a Skunk!

Saturday, July 5, 2014, Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 4 - 0 miles, 12,217.7 For the Trip

Happy Birthday Karin!!!

Today is my daughter's birthday. I tried to reach her on Skype, but the connection to Botswana doesn't seem to be good today.

As to the trip, nothing happening today. I did a couple of loops around the campground, but spent most of the day reading. There is a program presented by the Badger Run Wildlife Rehab organization that I'll attend at 7:30, but any photos will have to wait until either later or tomorrow.

I did add the photos - More at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Dinner was a salad.

Until tomorrow.

Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 3

A Family of Chipmunks

Friday, July 4, 2014, Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 3 - 0 miles, 12,217.7 For the Trip

Happy Independence Day!

Another late start - while it warms up quickly here in the park, it starts out cool. 50°F this morning. I didn't do much today. I did take a photo of the campground 4th of July parade, and there is a large family of chipmunks living in a stump behind my trailer. I took a bunch of photos of them.

While I don't do all that much wildlife photography, I have a page on my website of chipmunk photos, mostly taken in my driveway. It is usually the most popular page on my site, at least when I'm not traveling. I've also found many of my chipmunk photos on other websites. If they are kids or other non commercial uses I don't complain, but more than one pest removal company felt it was OK to use them as part of their advertising. Most of them have either removed the image or paid for it when I contacted them. I did have one company insist that they had permission (and paid) to use the photo & I was unable to convince them that I was the owner. Seems they got it from someone that took it from me! I finally contacted the ISP (Internet Service Provider) for their site & asked to have it removed, which, after I convinced them that I owned the copyright, they did.  More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Anyhow, that is about all I did for the day. I did make a trip to Klamath Falls for some groceries.

Dinner was a steak & corn on the cob.

Until tomorrow.

Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 2 & Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake National Park, OR

Thursday, July 3, 2014, Collier Memorial State Park, OR, Day 2 & Crater Lake National Park - 0 miles, 12,217.7 For the Trip

A late morning. It was fairly cool overnight, and around 52°F in the trailer at 7:00AM. So, I stayed under the covers until 8:30. To make up for a late start I decided to make a serious breakfast; bacon & eggs. I looked a little silly using the Clinometer HD app on my iPad to level the grill, but it pays off, particularly when you make scrambled eggs or pancakes.

I drove to Crater lake National Park for a couple of photos. For the first time in many trips to Crater Lake, the East Rim Drive was open. While I didn't drive all the way around the lake, I did get to see sections I haven't visited before. There are a couple of waterfalls, but the photographs are lousy - too much sun. You really need a cloudy or overcast day (or good shadows) to shoot waterfalls. In any case, I took a few. Met a ranger that is a photographer - his website is Great Basin Photography. Check it out. Met another photographer at the falls & walked back to the parking area with him & his wife. I tried to find his website but either got confused with his name or the description, so I can't post a link.  More photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

Since I had a good sized breakfast & lunch, dinner was a simple sandwich. Time for a shower & a bit of relaxation (not that I've been working hard!)

Until tomorrow.

Collier Memorial State Park, OR

A Tree at Butte Valley Fair RV Park

Wednesday, July 2, 2014, Collier Memorial State Park, OR- 65.9 miles, 12,217.7 For the Trip

After last night's post I took a few more photos of the sunset & an interesting tree on the edge of the campground. There was a thunder & lightning storm well away from the campground (we got a few drops of rain) that would have made great photos if I dragged myself out of the trailer, but by the time I convinced myself that the conditions were dark enough for good pictures, it went away.

A very short drive into Oregon today. I stopped for gas in Klamath Falls (saving $.50 per gallon over California's prices), then headed up US 97 to Collier Memorial State Park. I called Oregon's State Park reservation system last night, and all the sites at Collier and other nearby state parks were booked for the long weekend, so I got an early start, hoping to find an open site at the "A" loop, the first come section. I didn't need to hurry - lots of open spaces, even a few now at 6:45PM.

A pretty site (A10) with full hookups for $26.00 per night. I signed up for 4 nights rather than spend the next couple of days trying to find a site during the holiday weekend. The site is close to the bathrooms (with free showers) and has good shade.

After setting up the trailer I debated (can you do that with yourself?) whether to drive to Crater Lake National Park or wait until tomorrow. After talking with my neighbor (in a 17' Casita) I decided to stay here & visit the Logging Museum. Lots of cabins, machinery, and information about logging in Oregon. The collection of old chain saws is interesting. I still cut with a Homelite SX 135 saw that isn't that much newer than one of the ones on the wall! The chain saw on wheels was interesting. There was also a hand operated drill press. I actually used one a few years ago & found it quite handy if you don't have electrical power available. I enjoyed the visit. Photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

After that it was back to the campground to do some reading.

Dinner was spaghetti & meatballs.

Until tomorrow.

Manzanita Lake Campground, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

Monday, June 30, 2014, Manzanita Lake Campground, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA - 99.1 miles, 12,019.3 For the Trip

A nice drive continuing north on CA89 to Lassen National Park. On the way I stopped to take a photo of Indian Falls. I'm pretty sure I did the same in 2012 since everything looked pretty familiar, but I did it anyway. I also stopped to shoot a couple of barns, one that made it through the winter & one that didn't.

I got to do another "do over". The last time I was in Lassen Volcanic National Park in 2012, most of the trails were closed, along with many of the campgrounds. The park still had quite a bit of snow cover. Not this year (although I am about 2 weeks later). In any case, Bumpass Hell trail was open, so I took the hike to Hell! Lots of vents, bubbling pools, and Sulphur fumes. I took lots of photos - a few here and the rest on a Lassen page.

Back at the campground (I'm in site B54, difficult to get into, but a good fit for the Escape), I walked down to the concessions building. Unlike most of the National Parks, hey do have showers, however they must believe the water that runs through them is part gold. $1.50 for 3 minutes! I'll skip the shower tonight, particularly since last nights only cost $.25 for 5 minutes. I also discovered on the way out of the park the next morning that they have the most expensive coffee of the trip - $2.99 for a 16 oz cup (although they do give free refills).

Dinner was a Bubba Burger, yes I did finally find them here in the west.

After dinner I talked with the campground hosts & they suggested I walk down to Manzanita Lake around sunset for some photos. Very nice location with some ducks & geese posing for photos. Again, a few here & more on the Lassen page.

I won't be able to post until I get an internet signal - no AT&T or Verizon data available here at the campground.

Until the internet becomes available -