Oregon – Wandering Out Westy

Day Four

Bend to Ashland

Left the sunshine in Bend. Shared a Little Bear Smoothie at an adorable juice shop called Mother’s (Brynn’s work place) Hit the road south, Ashland bound. The further south we traveled the colder it became, we rose into the mountains with snow plowed shoulders. Had to skirt around Crater Lake because of the snow pack. Wound back to a lower elevation with hill sides green as a lime and wild looking trees dotting the landscape. Transported us back to Switzerland as we descended into the valley. Stopped to top off the oil in Ashland. Perched our camper on a wild tree covered hillside looking over a lake, ate some chicken, mashed potatoes with steamed veggies and settled in for a rainy night.

Day Three

Smith Rock State Park to Bend Oregon

Waking up amongst these giants was a huge surprise, crawling out of the tent as the sun rose in the sky to red ragged rocks towering over the valley below took my breath away. Hiking down the canyon walls to the river we saw bald eagles nesting in tall pine trees, red rocks so high it makes you dizzy staring at them for too long and many different types of vegetation and wildflowers blooming along the rocky path. The trail we hiked claimed to have the most gorgeous views of the Rocks, river and country side, but it also was named “Misery Ridge Trail” It held true to its name and its claim. We were literally swept off our feet when we reached the top of these towering piers, the wind swirled around us as we nibbled a snack and took in the beauty. Back on the road we made our way to Bend Oregon, stopped in at the local REI to pick up a few new goodies, and arrived back in the parking lot to a flooded van! Oh NO! The water jug was accidentally left dripping for two hours creating an embracing leak from poor Robin. After a quick clean and dry in the sun, we met up with our dear friend Brynn for a wonderful jaunt through Bend and a tasty dinner with beer at Deschutes Brewerey. What a treat to be caught by such a big hearted friend. How lucky are we!

Day Two

Columbia gorge to central Oregon
Woke up in a beautiful campground surrounded by waterfalls. Ate a solid meal of hot cereal and granola. Explored the fish ladders at Bonneville Dam National Monument. Gave Laura a manual driving lesson. Yikes! Just kidding, she did great! Stopped atop a mountain to view the gorge and “death island” (natives used to use it as a burial grounds, now it just holds the monument of a white settler, ironic) Winded amongst orchards full of apple blossoms! Drove through the most unique landscape to the Dalles. Grabbed some groceries and discount bakery items. Stopped to see the “ring of fire”, views of Mt Jefferson, Mt Hood, Mt St Helen’s, Mt Adams and Mt Rainier standing in a single spot! Hours later landed in the abandoned little town of Mitchell, OR, a drive through is all that was necessary. Headed back west to wander within the Painted Hills. To date, one of the coolest places I have ever seen! Hillsides literally painted with years of geological change! And the best part, we were the only ones there, watching the sunset below the clouds to cast a glowing light over the colorful hills. Ran out of gas but we are always prepared. Ended the evening around nine pm as we rolled into Smith Rock State Park, pitched our tent below the giant rocks and fell fast to sleep.