A Deserted Town
I finally made it to Bend/Sunriver. This campground is awesome unfortunately most of the awesomeness is closed for the season because it’s freezing cold here, last night it was in the low twenties and tonight we are heading to low teens! So I will definitely have to come back next summer when it’s warm and everything is open and all the activities are going. In the center of the campground is an old western town like area. I’ll have to go back and take pictures when I’m not shivering.
Out in the Hood
What a weekend! I made it back to Oregon and have found a beautiful campground at the foot of Mt. Hood surrounded by forest, streams, mountains, trails and activities. Saturday I decided to go for a bike ride up to a ridge that boasted views of Mt Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Gordon, and Mt. St. Helens. Due to multiple connecting trails, a weak gps signal and an insane amount of climbing for 14 solid miles (3,798 feet to be exact. – to put that in perspective, that is almost 3 of Blue Mountain) I realized I wouldn’t make it to the ridge and back before sunset, so I cut my ride short and went back. Total miles ridden, 28.53. Needless to say, by the time I got home it was hard to even walk.
I still wanted to see the views I had heard so much about so on Sunday I hiked up the north side of the ridge and spent some time at the top resting and enjoying the incredible majesty of Mt. Hood across the valley. Followed by lunch beside a beautiful mountain lake.
8 Miles
Another beautiful day in Oregon. I went for a ride on the mountain bike today and I think I was a little ambitious in choosing an 8 mile ride. The trail was super fun with lots of steep climbs followed by fast downhills. Stumbled across a sign pointing to another waterfall. So of course I took the 1/2 mile offshoot and enjoyed a quiet snack by the water. All that to say I was beat by the end of it. Tomorrow is going to hurt. Haha
Astoria
The small town of Astoria Oregon is probably one of the most interesting towns I’ve seen while on this journey. This little town is set on the side of a very steep hill and is the perfect combination of old Victorian mansions, and small simple houses, overlooking a main street that feels both rustic and almost modern. It is a fishing town that is stuck in the 80’s and I think it likes it that way. I met a good number of lifetime residents while there, even though I was only in town for a short time. They all had one thing in common, they were hard workers with lives full of experiences that could fill volumes. Astoria is best known as the filming location of the movie The Goonies so it was kind of neat to see areas that are depicted in the movie. I’d like to go back there again to spend some more time and perhaps go on a short adventure with my new friend Vicki.
Salmon Fishing
Late Friday night I was given a last minute opportunity to go Salmon fishing on Saturday morning. What a time we had! It seemed we never had more than 5 minutes to be still before there was a fish on the line and we all sprang into action. I caught 2 but one was a ‘little guy’ (still bigger than any fish I had caught before this excursion but was not big enough to keep). However, the King Silver I got to keep was about 22 pounds and was so much fun to land! What a dance we danced as I coaxed him into the boat. All in all a wonderful morning.
There is Something About Falling Water
Another beautiful day today in the forest of Oregon. Have you ever watched Land Before Time or some other show like that? This is what it feels like out in the woods. So much is left rugged and undisturbed.
I did another waterfall hike today and as is always the case I jump on and off the trail as I see a path to the water. One of these times I was meandering along enjoying the solitude, and the path ended. My first thought was that rather than go back I could just cross the stream….then I realized that I was at the tippity top of the huge waterfall. To my right was a small pool of calm(ish) water and one step further it plummeted to the rocks below. It was a little unnerving. Then, a few minutes later I dropped my phone off a bridge and it took a pretty impressive video while it waited for me to climb down and get it. What a day!
Secluded in the Beauty
I went hiking yesterday out in what felt like the middle of nowhere. It was so beautiful and peaceful, the goal was to get to a waterfall that I had heard about from someone in town. I love waterfalls, no matter the size.
Walking along the trail I had only passed one other person, so I felt like I had the whole forest to myself. As I rounded a bend I stopped short and just stared in silence. In the distance was an immensely tall cliff with the water spilling over the top. The waterfall itself was not high volume but it was so beautiful! I stood mesmerized for a few minutes before continuing on the trail so I could get closer. Unfortunately the trail a little further up was closed and I was not able to get very close but even still I tried to snap some photos. As is usually the case, the photos do not do it justice.
The Beauty in the Wrong Turn
There is so much beauty in the mountains of Oregon. Took a wrong turn yesterday and found myself at the top of a mountain in this beautiful location. Unfortunately I was not able to stay there last night but it was beautiful to see.
A Peaceful Afternoon
It is a beautiful day today in Oregon. For the past week I have been camping at Richardson Lake and finally made time to get out on the water. What a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Floating on my paddleboard next to my little buddy, reading a good book and enjoying the peaceful rocking as the wind carries me to and fro. #lifeisgood.
All the way to the Ocean
The Oregon coast is windy. I arrived on Sunday evening but haven’t made it out play on the sand dunes because work has taken all my time this week. Not far from where I am staying are sections of dunes where people jump on what look like small snowboards and cruise down the steep sandy slopes. As I stood watching a group of teenagers skimming down the hill I saw a woman well into her senior years sit down on a sand sled and careen down the hill, her laughter could be heard echoing throughout the place. I was impressed. Seriously though, it looks like a lot of fun! Tomorrow I hop on a plane and head back east for a bit, but when I return I am going to have to find a sandboard and hit the slopes.
More Beautiful Mountains
I kept hearing about the beauty of the Cascade Mountain Highway so on Sunday I took the drive. There is something incredibly peaceful about being in the mountains. Something that reminds me just how vast and unique our country is. The turquoise waters at the base of the snow capped mountains took my breath away one after the other.
Of course Crater lake was beyond words. Most of the area was closed because the snow was still too deep, but they had cleared out a parking area so those of us brave enough to make the drive could still take in the view. I would like to go back again when I have more time and when the trails are open.
A Little Town Called Sisters
Oregon is so beautiful! Over the weekend I stayed in a small town called Sisters, it reminded me of Kimberley, BC – the town I consider my hometown. The people were super friendly and the surrounding area was absolutely gorgeous! I took a ride up to Peterson Ridge to find a stunning view of the mountains in the distance.
A Spring of Hot Water
This week I found myself at a natural hot springs in Oregon and today after a violent thunderstorm shook the world, I found myself winding down the night in the pond. The water felt great and the sky was so amazing I had to share.
