Tumalo State Park, OR, Day 2

Tumalo Falls (From 2011 Trip)

Wednesday, April 30, 2014, Tumalo State Park, OR, Day 2 - 0 miles, 7719.8 For the Trip

No photographs so I thought I'd stick in a couple from my last stop here in 2011. The other one is of the Three Sisters (mountains) taken from the Tumalo Reservoir.

Another beautiful day! Temperatures in the mid 70's and clear skies. I hung around the trailer reading most of the morning, then headed into Bend for a haircut. Found a real barber shop (ie they shave your neck, and even run a vibrator over your shoulders) and got rid of most of what little hair I have left. I got tired of trying to comb the bed hair out since it has been pretty cold in the mornings for a shower and I've been taking them in the evening. I haven't had hair this short since the military!

After the haircut it was a run to Walmart for a couple of books & "stuff", then to Toyota of Bend for my oil change. On the way back to the campground I stopped by Safeway for some vegetables. While I had planned for a hamburger for dinner, they had my favorite frozen Orange Chicken Dinner, (Wanchai) which I haven't seen anywhere else in the West. So, it was orange chicken for dinner.

Until Next Time -

Tumalo State Park, Bend, OR

Mt. Washington, OR

Tuesday, April 98, 2014, Tumalo State Park, OR - 146.5 miles, 7719.8 For the Trip

It is good to have the internet back!

I got an early start today; I guess too early since I arrived at the campground dump station at 8:30, and found they don't open until 10:00.

A pleasant drive along OR 22, OR 126, & US 20 to Bend, and Tumalo State Park. For the next two days I'm in site C60 or C23, depending on whether you choose the post or the number on the road. I used the post to register. Today & tomorrow are the last 2 days of the "Discovery Season" for Oregon State Parks. The price of sites goes up during "Prime Season" by $6.00 starting on May 1st. I'm in a full hookup site for $22.00 per night.

I took a photo of the roadside snow along OR 126 at Santiam Pass (4817'). I was a bit nervous with all the signs stating "Carry chains or snow rated tires" along the road. While there was sand still on sections of the road, no snow, but plenty on the sides & mountains. I stopped to take a photo of Mount Washington, but didn't stop in Sisters, although the three mountains looked great.

I drove into Bend to get an oil change at Bend Toyota, however they only do them by appointment so I have to go back tomorrow at 4:30. Back at the campground I had a quick solar shower. I remember them from when I was here two years ago; non adjustable, and very hot! The water is going off in the campground tomorrow from 12:00 to 7:00 so even though I have full hookups, I'll be without water.

Dinner was very dried out Fred Myers chicken. I think I'll stick to Safeway in the future!

Until Next Time -

Silver Falls State Park, Day 2

North Falls, Silver Falls State Park, OR

Monday, April 28, 2014, Silver Falls State Park, Day 2 - 0 miles, 7573.3 For the Trip

Quite cold last night - down to 34°F, but the ceramic cube heater kept the trailer at 68°. This morning it warmed up quickly, and I decided to hike the rest of the Trail of Ten Waterfalls. There is a section between the Lower South Falls and the Lower North Falls that is closed due to a slide,so I headed for the North Falls parking lot and started down the trail from the opposite end that I hiked yesterday. I went as far as Twin Falls, then returned. After that I drove to the Winter Falls parking lot & hiked to the Winter Trail junction with the Trail of Ten Falls, and continued until I reached the closure. All in all, I saw all the waterfalls. They are not as accessible as those in my favorite park (Ricketts Glen in PA), but they are far larger with more water going over them. A good hike, and lots to photograph. Don't trust me on the names of the falls - I think I got them right, but...

Lots of photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.
By the time I got back to the trailer I was definitely in need of a shower. Lots of sun, and 72°, and I had far too many layers on. After the shower I sat out & read, and snapped a photo of a new hummingbird. I used the D200 since the other camera was in the trailer - kind of soft, but at least I got him.

Dinner was 2 Amy Cheese Enchiladas.

Until I find an internet connection -

Silver Falls State Park, OR

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, OR

Sunday, April 27, 2014, Silver Falls State Park, 43.8 miles, 7573.3 For the Trip

A late farewell to Champoeg State Park, however it was a short drive to Silver Falls State Park, so a late start didn't matter. I have to say one of the reasons I bought a trailer was I was tired of packing up a wet tent in the morning. Well, guess what? I spent part of the morning packing up a wet "Easy Up". Not quite as much canvas (well not really canvas) as a tent, but is sure was wet! The drive was OK, however most of it was in rain or even hail. The sun came out for awhile once I reached Silver Falls Campground.

I'm in Site B11, a water & electric site for $20.00. Unfortunately, I can't tell you about it or anything else today (or probably tomorrow) because I have no Verizon service. Surprisingly, there is 3 bars of AT&T, but to get tethering with it I'd have to give up my unlimited data, and I'm not ready for that. So, unless I find a signal near by, updates will have to wait. I set up the "Easy Up" not because I expect to use it, but hoping it will dry out. So far, not much chance of that - it is still raining off & on.

After setting up the trailer I drove to the main parking lot and hiked to the South Falls & Lower South Falls. There are paths that go behind each of the falls as well as along Silver Creek. There are 10 waterfalls along the "Trail of Ten Waterfalls" (a good name for it).  Photos at today's LakeshoreImages page.

While walking along the Trail of Ten Waterfalls, I met a group from the NOG at Champoeg. They invited me to happy hour after we got back to the campground. We talked until about 7:30 (a long happy hour, but we all were happy!) After that it was back to the trailer & a quick dinner of a boneless pork chop & grill roasted corn on the cob.

Until I find an internet connection -

Champoeg State Park, OR, Day 5 & The NOG

A Wet Pot Luck Dinner at the Northern Oregon Gathering

Saturday, April 26, 2014, Champoeg State Park, OR, Day 5 - 0 miles, 7573.3 For the Trip

Well, it started out sunny, but check out the Pot Luck Dinner!

I realized I didn't have a camera plate for my new Nikon D800. The plate goes between the camera & the tripod - it is a quick attachment device that goes on all the large lenses as well as camera bodies and makes it easy & fast to change. Without it, there is no way to put the D800 on my Markins tripod head. I made some calls, and found that Pro Photo Supply in Portland had plates that fit the Nikon (they are custom shaped for each body model). So, a quick trip to Portland this morning.

After that it was back to the trailer to cut up apples for the pie for the pot luck. I still haven't quite got the knack of baking pastry in the toaster oven - the crust is a little dark, but it tastes OK. While the pie was cooling, I took a walk around the campground loop as well as "B" loop with my camera to catch photos of those staying over there. Many more photos of people, trailers, and the pot luck at today's LakeshoreImages page.

I lent my new "Easy Up" (it isn't all that easy up, at least for one) to the pot luck - 4 of us hauled it down the road to put over the tables. A bunch of people brought theirs so we had everything covered. I had hoped that doing all that would prevent the rain since it was pretty nice out during the afternoon, but as soon as the pot luck started, the rain came. Lots of photos of everyone huddled under umbrellas and easy ups. The food, as usual, was great and plenty for all. After the pot luck there were give aways. A campfire was planned, but the rain dampened any thoughts of one so everyone headed back to their trailers.

Until Tomorrow -