Monday, August 8, 2016

Hoh Rain Forest (Olympic NP) - 08/08/16 - Forks, WA

Monday – August 8, 2016
Olympic National Park
Hoh Rain Forest
Forks, Washington

Pictures To Be Added Soon

Temperate rain forests grow along the coast and in ocean-facing valleys. Drenched in over 12 feet of rain a year, west-side valleys nurture giant western hemlock, Douglas-fir and Sitka spruce trees. Moss-draped big-leaf maples create a magical scene that obliterates all sense of time. Roosevelt elk often visit the riverbanks at dawn and dusk.

This was our introduction to the Hoh Rainforest, located on the Olympic Peninsula in western Washington state. It is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States. Within Olympic National Park, the forest is protected from commercial exploitation. This includes 24 miles of low elevation forest 394 to 2,493 feet along the Hoh River. The Hoh River valley was formed thousands of years ago by glaciers.

The dominant species in the rainforest are Sitka spruce and western hemlock; some grow to tremendous size, reaching 312 feet in height and 23 feet in diameter. Coast Douglas-fir, western red cedar, big leaf maple, red alder, vine maple, and black cottonwood are also found throughout this magnificent forest.

Many unique mosses and lichens are also present in the rainforest, such as lettuce lichen, which requires the cool, moist conditions found under the canopy of old-growth forests and is consumed by deer, elk, and other animals.

Many native fauna also make the Hoh Rainforest their home, including the Pacific tree frog, northern spotted owl, bobcat, cougar, raccoon, Olympic black bear, Roosevelt elk, and black-tailed deer.

Near the visitor center is the Hall of Mosses Trail, a short trail, 0.8 miles, which gives visitors a feel for the local ecosystem and views of maples draped with large growths of spikemoss. There is also the Spruce Nature Trail, 1.2 miles, which includes signs that identify various trailside trees and plants.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: South Beach Campground
Departure Time: 10:00 A.M.
Arrived: Hoh Rain Forest Campground
Arrival Time: 12:30 P.M.

Campground: Hoh Rain Forest
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 47.85944
Longitude: W 123.93611
Elevation: Feet
Camping Fee: 20.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 35
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpster
Dump Station: Yes - $10.00 fee (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Total Campsites: 81

Cellular Service: Verizon – 3G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 43
Route Traveled:
North on US-101
East on Upper Hoh Road to Campground

Sunday, August 7, 2016

South Beach CG (Olympic NP) - 08/07/16 - Kalaloch, WA

Sunday – August 7, 2016
Olympic National Park
South Beach Campground
Kalaloch, Washington

Pictures To Be Added Soon

Waves boom along wilderness beaches and mix with snow-fed rivers. Ancient trees shelter wildlife. Rugged peaks embrace glaciers and sub-alpine meadows. Coast, forest, and mountain ecosystems combine to create this spectacular wilderness park: Olympic National Park.

The Olympic Peninsula is home to eight American Indian tribes that developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and to continue to keep their traditions alive. European explorers who ventured here in the late 1700’s heralded the way for homesteaders.

The Olympics were set aside as a national monument in 1909 and further protected as Olympic National Park in 1938. Today, the park is internationally recognized as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.

Olympic National Park protects the largest old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. Its unique character begins with ancient trees that took root 200 to 1,000 years ago. In these forests multi-layered canopies, standing snags, and fallen tree trunks provide habitat for myriad animals.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Bend, Oregon
Departure Time: 10:35 A.M.
Arrived: Troutdale, Oregon
Arrival Time: 3:35 P.M.

Campground: South Beach
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 47.56863
Longitude: W 124.36150
Elevation: 24 Feet
Camping Fee: 15.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 26
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Trash Dumpster
Water Available: No
Dump Station: No
Total Campsites: 55

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 160
Route Traveled:
North on I-5
West on US-12
North on US-101 to Campground

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Mount St. Helens - 08/06/16 - Castle Rock, WA

Saturday – August 6, 2016
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Castle Rock,Washington

Pictures To Be Added Soon

A visit to Mount St. Helens is awe-inspiring. One cannot appreciate the destructive force of a volcanic eruption until the devastation to the surrounding landscape, that exists to this day, is seen first-hand.

Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is 96 miles south of Seattle, Washington, and 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon. The volcano is located in the Cascade Range and is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that includes over 160 active volcanoes. This volcano is well known for its ash explosions and pyroclastic flows.

Mount St. Helens is most notorious for its eruption on May 18, 1980, at 8:32 a.m. PDT, the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles of railways, and 185 miles of highway were destroyed. A massive debris avalanche triggered by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale caused an eruption that reduced the elevation of the mountain's summit from 9,677 feet to 8,363 feet, replacing it with a one mile wide horseshoe-shaped crater. The debris avalanche was up to 0.7 cubic miles in volume. The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was created to preserve the volcano and allow for its aftermath to be scientifically

studied.

On March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens experienced a magnitude 4.2 earthquake; and, on March 27, steam venting started. By the end of April, the north side of the mountain had started to bulge. On May 18, a second earthquake, of magnitude 5.1, triggered a massive collapse of the north face of the mountain. It was the largest known debris avalanche in recorded history. The magma in St. Helens burst forth into a large-scale pyroclastic flow that flattened vegetation and buildings over 230 square miles. More than 1.5 million metric tons of sulfur dioxide were released into the atmosphere. On the Volcanic Explosivity Index scale, the eruption was rated a five (a Plinian eruption).

When Mount St. Helens erupted, the collapse of the northern flank of St. Helens mixed with ice, snow, and water to create lahars (volcanic mudflows). The lahars flowed many miles down the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers, destroying bridges and lumber camps. A total of 3,900,000 cubic yards of material was transported 17 miles south into the Columbia River by the mudflows.

For more than nine hours, a vigorous plume of ash erupted, eventually reaching 12 to 16 miles above sea level. The plume moved eastward at an average speed of 60 miles per hour with ash reaching Idaho by noon. Ashes from the eruption were found collecting on top of cars and roofs next morning, as far as the city of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada.

Mount St. Helens is geologically young compared with the other major Cascade volcanoes. It formed only within the past 40,000 years, and the pre-1980 summit cone began rising about 2,200 years ago. The volcano is considered the most active in the Cascades within the last 10,000 or so years.

Prior to the 1980 eruption, Mount St. Helens was the fifth-highest peak in Washington. It stood out prominently from surrounding hills because of the symmetry and extensive snow and ice cover of the pre-1980 summit cone. The peak rose more than 5,000 feet above its base, where the lower flanks merge with adjacent ridges. The mountain is 6 miles across at its base, which is at an elevation of 4,400 feet on the northeastern side and 4,000 feet elsewhere. At the pre-eruption tree line, the width of the cone was 4 miles.

Streams that originate on the volcano enter three main river systems: the Toutle River on the north and northwest, the Kalama River on the west, and the Lewis River on the south and east. The streams are fed by abundant rain and snow. The average annual rainfall is 140 inches, and the snow pack on the mountain's upper slopes can reach 16 feet. The Lewis River is impounded by three dams for hydroelectric power generation. The southern and eastern sides of the volcano drain into an upstream impoundment, the Swift Reservoir, which is directly south of the volcano's peak.

Between 1980 and 1986, activity continued at Mount St. Helens, with a new lava dome forming in the crater. Numerous small explosions and dome-building eruptions occurred. From December 7, 1989, to January 6, 1990, and from November 5, 1990, to February 14, 1991, the mountain erupted with sometimes huge clouds of ash.

Magma reached the surface of the volcano about October 11, 2004, resulting in the building of a new lava dome on the existing dome's south side. This new dome continued to grow throughout 2005 and into 2006. On January 16, 2008, steam began seeping from a fracture on top of the lava dome. Associated seismic activity was the most noteworthy since 2004. Scientists suspended activities in the crater and the mountain flanks, but the risk of a major eruption was deemed low. By the end of January, the eruption paused; no more lava was being extruded from the lava dome. On July 10, 2008, it was determined that the eruption had ended, after more than six months of no volcanic activity.

State Route 504, locally known as the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, connects with Interstate 5 at Exit 49, 34 miles to the west of the mountain. The community nearest the volcano is Cougar, Washington, in the Lewis River valley 11 miles south-southwest of the peak. Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounds Mount St. Helens.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Castle Rock, WA
Departure Time: 10:15 A.M.
Arrived: Kalaloch, WA
Arrival Time: 2:50 P.M.

Campground: Empty Commercial Lot for Sale
Type: Private
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 46.28775
Longitude: W 122.79781
Elevation: 133 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: Parking Lot
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: Several

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 137
Route Traveled:
South on OR-35
West on WA-14
North on I-205
North on I-5 to Exit 49

Friday, August 5, 2016

Stonehenge - 08/05/16 - Maryhill, WA

Friday – August 5, 2016
Stonehenge
Maryhill, Washington

Pictures To Be Added Soon

We completed a wonderful visit today to the American version of Stonehenge.

The Maryhill, Washington Stonehenge is a replica of Stonehenge in England. It was commissioned in the early twentieth century by businessman Samuel Hill and dedicated on July 4, 1918 as a memorial to those who had died in World War I. The memorial was completed in 1929. It is constructed of concrete.

The Maryhill Stonehenge was the first monument in the United States to honor the dead of World War I (specifically, soldiers from Klickitat County, Washington who had died in the then still on-going war). The altar stone is placed to be aligned with sunrise on the Summer Solstice. Hill, a Quaker, informed that the original Stonehenge had been used as a sacrificial site, therefore constructed the replica as a reminder that humanity is still being sacrificed to the god of war. The monument was originally located in the center of Maryhill, which later burned down leaving only the Stonehenge replica. A second formal dedication of the monument took place upon its completion on May 30, 1929. Sam Hill, who died in 1931, lived long enough to see his Stonehenge completed.

The dedication plaque on this Washington Stonehenge is inscribed:

"In memory of the soldiers of Klickitat County who gave their lives in defense of their country. This monument is erected in the hope that others inspired by the example of their valor and their heroism may share in that love of liberty and burn with that fire of patriotism which death can alone quench."

The Maryhill Stonehenge is located off U.S. Highway 97, about two miles from where it enters the state of Washington by crossing the Columbia River from Oregon. Admission is free to visit the memorial; but donations for its continued maintenance are appreciated.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Route 281 - 08/05/16 - Hood River, OR

Friday – August 5, 2016
Tour of Route 281
Hood River, Oregon

Pictures To Be Added Soon

The city of Hood River was established on September 30, 1858 and was incorporated in 1895.

Hood River is at the confluence of the Hood River and the Columbia River in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. The city is about 30 miles north of Mount Hood, the tallest peak in the state. It is across the Columbia River from White Salmon, Washington. South of the city is the Hood River Valley, known for its production of apples, pears, and cherries.

Located at the transition zone between wet temperate rainforest to the west, and dry shrub-steppe desert to the east, Hood River has a moderate climate with rainy winters and warm summers, although rainfall there is somewhat less than Portland and other nearby areas in the Willamette Valley. Hood River averages around 30 inches of precipitation a year, while Cascade Locks, 20 miles west, receives over 75 inches and The Dalles, 20 miles east, less than 15 inches. The area is known for its consistently high winds channeling down the Columbia River Gorge.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Thursday, August 4, 2016

Powell's City of Books - 08/04/16 - Portland, OR

Thursday – August 4, 2016
Powell’s City of Books
Portland, Oregon

Pictures To Be Added Soon

Powell's Books is a chain of bookstores in Portland, Oregon, and its surrounding metropolitan area. Powell's headquarters, dubbed Powell's City of Books, claims to be the largest independent new and used bookstore in the world. Powell's City of Books is located in the Pearl District on the edge of downtown and occupies a full city block between NW 10th and 11th Avenues and between W. Burnside and NW Couch Streets. It contains over 68,000 square feet, about 1.6 acres of retail floor space. CNN rates it one of the ten "coolest" bookstores in the world.

The inventory for its retail and online sales is over four million new, used, rare, and out-of-print books. Powell's buys around 3,000 used books a day.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Bend, Oregon
Departure Time: 10:35 A.M.
Arrived: Troutdale, Oregon
Arrival Time: 3:35 P.M.

Campground: Mount Hood Ski Bowl
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 45.30242
Longitude: W 121.77385
Elevation: 3685 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: Parking Lot
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: Several

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 215
Route Traveled:
North on US-97
North on US-26

Monday, August 1, 2016

Shirley's Tippy Canoe - 08/01/16 - Troutdale, OR

Monday – August 1, 2016
Shirley’s Tippy Canoe
Troutdale, Oregon

On this segment of our travel we bid a fond farewell to Bend, Oregon and head north on US-97, then continue north onto US-26. Our destination today is Shirely’s Tippy Canoe restaurant in Troutdale, Oregon. This restaurant was featured on a segment of Diners, Drive Ins and Dives (DDD) that we viewed while spending the winter in Yuma, Arizona. Two of their specialties featured on the program were a Sloppy Joe and a Polish Dip. Since we were planning to visit Oregon during the summer of 2016, we put this restaurant on our places to visit.

There is a point on northbound US-26 that evokes an overwhelming sense of wonder. In the far distance suddenly appears the most famous snow-capped, iconic peak, of the tallest mountain in the Oregon Cascade Mountain Range: Mt. Hood (elevation 11,249 feet). With its snow-capped peak, it is a most humbling experience to personally witness the majestic splendor of this evolving, geologic structure of nature.

As we continued our journey northbound on US-26 we went to check out the Oxbow County Park Campground in Troutdale as a possible place to stay for the night. After a quick tour of the campground we decided it was too congested for our preferences. We decided we would stay at the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl Sno-Park that we had passed on US-26 while traveling to Troutdale.

With our accommodations for the night decided, we continued on our journey to Shirley’s Tippy Canoe Restaurant.

The restaurant is located on the Historic Columbia Highway. Constructed between 1913 and 1922, this was America’s first scenic highway, taking full advantage of the Columbia River Gorge’s natural beauty. Upon completion it was referred to as the "King of Roads." This was the historical significance we basked in while dining at Shirley’s Tippy Canoe. It was such a pleasant evening we chose to dine outside. We ordered their specialties featured on "DDD:" the Sloppy Joe and the Polish Dip. Both selections were excellent; and quite filling!

We retreated to the Mt. Hood SkiBowl and settled in for a restful night along with one other RV.

The Mount Hood SkiBowl is a recreation area on Mount Hood located near Government Camp, Oregon. It is the largest night ski area in the United States. The resort is the closest ski venue to Portland, with an elevation of 3,600 feet at the lodge, rising to just over 5,000 feet at the summit. The average snowfall at the area is 300 inches and 65 marked trails. The area is also popular for summer recreation with mountain bikers. An adventure park in the area includes alpine slides, zip-line, and bungee jumping.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Bend, Oregon
Departure Time: 10:35 A.M.
Arrived: Troutdale, Oregon
Arrival Time: 3:35 P.M.

Campground: Mount Hood Ski Bowl
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 45.30242
Longitude: W 121.77385
Elevation: 3685 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: Parking Lot
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: Several

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 215
Route Traveled:
North on US-97
North on US-26

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Cascade Lakes Relay - 07/30/16 - Bend, OR

Saturday – July 30, 2016
Cascade Lakes Relay
Bend, Oregon

We enjoyed a leisurely auto tour of the Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway today. While traveling on the Century Drive Highway leg of this trip we encountered the Cascades Lakes Relay event. There were 203 teams, comprised of Running and Walking teams, that competed in this relay from Diamond Lake to Bend. The stamina exhibited by these competitors traversing the steep elevations of the relay route was absolutely amazing.

The Cascades Lakes Scenic Byway is a National Scenic Byway in central Oregon. It runs for 66 miles in the rugged country of Deschutes and Klamath counties on the east side of the Cascade Range. It offers particularly good views of Mount Bachelor and provides access to many recreational facilities in central Oregon. The route is so named because it weaves past a number of small natural lakes along the Cascades, as well as several reservoirs on the upper Deschutes River.

The Century Drive Highway begins at an interchange with US-97 (the Bend Parkway) in Bend. It heads west along Colorado Avenue and Century Drive, which it follows to the entrance to the Mount Bachelor Ski Resort, where Century Drive Highway ends.

A turnoff on the Century Drive Highway leads to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. With nearly 3,700 acres of lift-served terrain and a 3,365-foot vertical drop, it’s the largest ski area in Oregon, with deep dry snow that often last into June. In summer, hikers and sightseers can ride the chairlift to the Pine Marten Lodge at an elevation of 7,775 feet for views that stretch from Washington to California.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Downtown Tour - 07/29/16 - Bend, OR

Friday – July 29, 2016
Downtown Walking Tour
Bend, Oregon

We awake to another beautiful, sunny day, at our dispersed campsite, nestled deep within the Deschutes National Forest. The temperature will be in the middle 80’s with low humidity (Dew Point in the 20’s) making for a perfect day to do a walking tour of the downtown area.

As we crossed the Deschutes River, on our way to town, "tubers" were leisurely floating down the river. The more adventurous "tubers" were running the man-made rapids. Several years ago, the city of Bend developed the rapids so residents, young and old, could enjoy the experience of "riding the rapids." This is probably one of the most popular areas during the summer months.

Downtown Bend is just a "cool" place to visit. People are friendly, the town is clean and thriving with all kinds of boutique shops, general merchandise stores, café’s, breweries and street performers. One elderly cowboy had a lasso and was roping a man-made steer head mounted to a saddle. He was quite good. He never missed, while we were watching.

A young street performer had tired of playing his guitar and decided a nap was in order. Oh to be that young again! Well… upon further reflection, maybe not!

The above scenes are captured in the video below.

Bend, Oregon Facts
Incorporated: January 4, 1905
Elevation: 3,623 feet
Population: 76,639 (2010)
Annual precipitation: 11 inches – most of it during winter.

Bend is Central Oregon's largest city, and despite its modest size, is the de facto metropolis of the region, owing to the low population density of that area. Bend recorded a population of 76,693 at the time of the 2010 US Census, up from 52,029 at the 2000 census. The estimated population of the city as of 2013 is 81,236. Bend's metro population was estimated at 165,954 as of July 1, 2013.

The name Bend was derived from "Farewell Bend", the designation used by early pioneers to refer to the location along the Deschutes River where the town was eventually platted, one of the few fordable points along the river.

Bend is located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Range along the Deschutes River. Here the Ponderosa Pine forest transitions into the high desert, characterized by arid land, junipers, sagebrush, and bitter-brush. Originally a crossing point on the river, settlement began in the early 1900s. Bend was incorporated as a city in 1905. Economically, it started as a logging town but is now identified as a gateway for many outdoor sports.

Tourism is one of Bend's largest sectors. The Mount Bachelor ski resort brings in tourists from all over Oregon, Washington, and California. The nearby Cascade Lakes are also a large draw for tourists. Recreational activities include downhill and cross country skiing, hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, camping, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and general sightseeing. Men's Journal ranked Bend as one of The 10 Best Places to Live. Much of Bend's rapid growth in recent years is due to its attraction as a retirement destination.

Bend is home to the Deschutes Brewery, the 6th largest craft brewery in the nation and the largest of over a dozen microbreweries in the city. Each year the city hosts many events celebrating its brewing culture including: The Bend Oktoberfest, The Little Woody Barrel Aged Brew and Whiskey Fest, Bend Brewfest, and Central Oregon Beer Week. Beer aficionados can also visit many of the breweries along the Bend Ale Trail. Since 2004, Bend has also hosted one of the top indie film festivals in the nation: The Bend Film Festival.

Bend's climate is typical of the high desert with cool nights and sunny days, classified as semi-arid. Annual precipitation averages 11.2 inches, with an annual average snowfall of 23.8 inches. The winter season in Bend provides a mean temperature of 31.1 °F in December. Nighttime temperatures are not much lower than daytime highs during the winter.

Central Oregon summers are marked by their very large diurnal temperature ranges, with a July daily average of 64.5 °F, and an average diurnal temperature variation approaching 35 °F. Hard frosts are not unheard of during the summer months. Autumn usually brings warm, dry days and cooler nights, and Bend is known for its annual Indian summer.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

High Desert Museum - 07/28/16 - Bend, OR

Thursday – July 28, 2016
High Desert Museum
U.S. Highway 97
Bend, Oregon

We spent the day visiting the High Desert Museum.

High Desert Museum Facts:
Established: 1982
Location: Bend, Oregon
Type: Natural history
Visitors: 150,000 per year

The High Desert Museum sits on 135 acres of pine covered forest land in Central Oregon. South of Bend on U.S. Route 97, the museum includes various indoor and outdoor exhibits, wildlife in natural-like habitats, living history demonstrations, a library, a desertarium, and a cafe. Opened in 1982, it brings regional wildlife, culture, art and natural resources together to promote an understanding of natural and cultural heritage of North America's high desert country.

The museum was founded by Donald M. Kerr, a native of Portland, Oregon. Kerr had a passion for natural history that inspired a lifelong interest in environmental issues, especially the protection of native animals. In 1974, Kerr established the Western Natural History Institute, and the High Desert Museum was an outgrowth of the institute opening in 1982. The museum was originally called the Oregon High Desert Museum; however, the name was later changed to recognize the regional nature of the high desert environment it highlights.

The High Desert Museum has a 53,000-square-foot main building. Exhibits include a Forest Service fire truck, a stagecoach, and a number of Native American history displays. The Native American exhibit covers life on the land before the white man, and life on a reservation.

The museum's Hall of Exploration and Settlement has displays highlighting a hundred years of high desert history. Scenes include a trapper's camp, survey party's camp, pioneer wagon train, a mining claim, an early western boomtown, and a high desert buckaroo camp.

Outside the museum building a quarter-mile trail follows a forest stream lined with aspens and ponderosa pines. Along the way visitors can stop at a number of exhibits and animal habitats. The popular outdoor exhibits feature a river otter, a porcupine, sheep, gray fox, and birds of prey.

There is also a Native American encampment, a start-of-the-20th-century sawmill, logging equipment, homesteaders cabin, and a forestry pavilion. A visitor can actually walk through an early 1860s town complete with blacksmith shop, Chinese mercantile, and stagecoach stop.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Dispersed Camping - 07/26//16 - Bend, OR

Tuesday – July 26, 2016
Deschutes National Forest
Dispersed Camping – Forest Road 41
Bend, Oregon

We spent a restful night a the Sno-Park at mile marker 14 on the Century Drive Highway, along the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway. During the night two other campers in Class B RV’s had joined us to spend the night.

We passed a Forest Ranger Station on our way to the Sno-Park yesterday. It was closed for the day. We returned today to get information and maps on dispersed camping within the Deschutes National Forest. The ranger provided us five maps and basic rules for dispersed camping. So off we go on Forest Road 41 in search of a campsite.

We find a temporary spot on the river side of Forest Road 41 to unhitch the trailer while we search for a suitable campsite. About 1.5 miles east of the Century Drive Highway on Forest Road 41 we find a rutted dirt road leading into the forest. We subsequently see log trucks hauling logs on this road from the interior of the forest. An adjacent road leads up a hill and forms a circular route back to the logging road. There are a few very nice campsites within this section, but unfortunately all of them are occupied. There are about 50 yards of forest separating the campsites. We return to the logging road and find four more campsites that are also occupied. We find another dirt road that splits off from the logging road. We follow this road for one mile and success! We find the perfect campsite. The campsite is quite large and isolated from other dispersed campsites in the area. Having secured this free campsite, we can now explore the Bend, Oregon area.

The Deschutes National Forest is located in central Oregon. It comprises 1.8 million acres along the east side of the Cascade Mountain Range. Within the boundaries of the Deschutes National Forest is the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, containing cinder cones, lava flows, and lava tubes. The Deschutes National Forest as a whole contains in excess of 250 known caves. The forest also contains five wilderness areas, six National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Oregon Cascade Recreation Area, and the Metolius Conservation Area.

Recreational activities in Deschutes National Forest include boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking, as well as mountain biking on an extensive system of trails. Hiking and skiing can be done on Mount Bachelor, a stratovolcano in the Cascade Range.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Snow Park – Forest Road 46 – Mile Marker 14
Departure Time: 9:30 A.M.
Arrived: Deschutes National Forest Ranger Station
Arrival Time: 9:50 A.M.

Campground Name: Dispersed Camping – Forest Road #41
Type: Deschutes National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.98896
Longitude: W 121.40256
Elevation: 3,969 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: See GPS Coordinates
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: Several in area.

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-1 Bar
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Takes 25 minutes to download service - many trees blocking antenna

Total miles traveled today: 8
Route Traveled:
North on Century Drive Highway
East on Forest Road 41 to Dispersed Campsite

Monday, July 25, 2016

Deschutes NF - 07/26/16 - Bend, OR

Monday – July 25, 2016
Deschutes National Forest
Forest Road 46 – Century Drive Highway
Bend, Oregon

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

As we passed through Sisters, Oregon, on OR-20, we were surprised to find such a quaint town. The town features boutique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Numerous visitors were touring the town as we passed through. We decided we would come back to visit on our next visit to Oregon.

Upon our arrival in Bend we visited the Tumalo State Park. The purpose of our visit was to check out the campground. As we expected, the campground was full (typical during summer season – Oregon State Parks are very popular). Some of the campsites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). Of interest, this state park campground does not have a dump station. Those campers that do not have a campsite with full hookups, and need to dump their tanks, must do so at a fee-based dump station facility in the Bend area or for free at the La Pine State Park in La Pine, Oregon. We were not impressed with the campsites at Tumalo State Park. The campsites were too close together for our preference.

We continued on our way through the town of Bend on our way to National Forest Highway 46. This route will take us to the Lava Rocks Campground, a national forest campground, located within the Deschutes National Forest. The campground is about 30 miles south of Bend. We had planned to set up our home base here while exploring Bend and the surrounding area. At mile marker 14, we spotted a Sno-Park. Perfect! Free Camping! We will spend the night here.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Sisters, Oregon
Departure Time: 11:30 A.M.
Arrived: Sno-Park - Bend, Oregon
Arrival Time: 5:45 P.M.

Campground Name: Sno-Park
Type: Overnight Camping
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.98471
Longitude: W 121.40256
Elevation: 5,500 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: large Parking Lot
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets
Total Campsites: Several

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 136
Route Traveled:
East on OR-242
East on US-20
South on US-97
West on Colorado Ave. (follow signs to Mt. Bachelor)
South on Century Drive
South on Forest Road 46 (Century Drive Highway) to MM-14

Friday, July 22, 2016

Belknap Crater Volcano - Sisters, OR - 07/22/16

Friday – July 22, 2016
Belknap Crater Volcano
Sisters, Oregon

We spent a restful night at the Paradise Campground in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. We headed east on Oregon Route 126 toward Bend, Oregon. Sharon suggested we explore the scenic McKenzie Highway on Oregon Route 242.

This highway is noted as one of the most picturesque scenic byways Oregon offers. There are warning signs posted at the east and west entrances to this route that prohibits vehicles over 35 feet in length. A turn-around area is provided for oversize vehicles. We are 34 feet overall… so off we go!

The McKenzie Highway travels through Lane, Linn, and Deschutes counties, beginning at the junction with OR 126 near McKenzie Bridge and ending at the junction with US Highway 20 and OR 126 at the city of Sisters. The highway is part of the McKenzie Pass - Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway.

The McKenzie Highway route was originally built with private funds in the 1870's as a wagon toll road. The section between the towns of Blue River in Lane County and Sisters in Deschutes County became a Forest Road in 1919. The road was relocated and widened in 1920, graded and surfaced between 1920 and 1924, and became a Oregon State Highway in 1925.

The McKenzie Pass Highway became a seasonal scenic highway in 1962. The narrow, twisting roadway and high elevation (5,325 feet) made the highway too difficult to maintain and keep clear during the winter months. Since this time, ODOT closes the highway each fall and reopens it in early summer after the snow melts. During the summer, about 300 cars a day travel the highway.​

The western section of McKensie Highway contains a series of 15-25 mph sharp curves as the elevation increases from 1,600 feet to over 5,000 feet. The scenery along this route is filled with flourishing green forests lining both sides of the route. As we continue our travel eastward we enter a section of highway that is engulfed on both sides by towering, black lava fields, probably 10 to 15 feet high. The lava fields extend off into the distance as far as the eye can see. We have arrived at the Belknap Crater Volcano.

Belknap Crater Volcano is a small Holocene shield volcano with a capping cinder cone. It is located in the Cascade Range near central Oregon’s McKenzie Pass. It is a typical example of one type of volcanism responsible for construction of the High Cascade volcanic arc. The Belknap complex comprises many lava flows. The lava flows cover about 40 square miles. The main Belknap shield has a diameter of approximately five miles.

Eruptions from this area took place from about 3,000 to 1,500 years ago as a few different phases. The first eruptions produced tephra that spread over a broad area to the northeast and southeast as basaltic lava flows traveled eastward for 6 miles from a growing shield. About 2,900 years ago, a second phase produced a smaller shield known as Little Belknap. The third phase produced the remaining bulk of the volcanic complex, which erupted basaltic andesite lavas from the central vent, Belknap Crater, about 1,500 years ago, and from a vent just over one mile to the south, South Belknap cone, about 1,700 years ago. The final eruptions from the base of Belknap Crater sent lava 9 miles west into the McKenzie River valley.

Exploring the McKenzie Highway was a wonderful experience. With the evening fast approaching it was time to find a place to stay for a few nights. The state park campgrounds throughout Oregon are some of the finest in the Northwest Region of the United States, and not surprising, campsites are booked in advance for the summer season. Fortunately, we are now traveling through the Willamette National Forest on the McKenzie Highway. This national forest has several campgrounds and dispersed camping areas. Seven miles west of Sisters, Oregon we pulled into the oversize vehicle turn-around-area. Within this area, there was a dirt road, going up a hill, and then leading off into the interior of the forest. While Sharon waited in our vehicle, I hiked into the forest and discovered a dispersed camping site.

As I pulled our trailer into the campsite, Sharon found it to her liking and we set up our campsite. This is perfect! Free camping! We are totally isolated from civilization. We are looking forward to the solitude for a few days.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
Departure Time: 11:50 A.M.
Arrived: Sisters, Oregon
Arrival Time: 3:30 P.M.

Campground Name: Dispersed Camping
Type: Willamette National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 44.30965
Longitude: W 121.70728
Elevation: 4,245 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: Primitive
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: None
Total Campsites: 2 or 3 dispersed campsites

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)

Total miles traveled today: 30
Route Traveled:
East on OR-126
East on OR-242 to Dispersed Campsite

Thursday, July 21, 2016

McKenzie Bridge, OR - 07/21/16

Thursday – July 21, 2016
Paradise Campground
McKenzie Bridge, Oregon

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We spent Wednesday continuing our travel north on US-101 exploring the rugged Oregon coastline. This is our second day of dealing with the morning fog that obscures the beaches and rock formations along the coast. The fog finally burns off around noon.

We reach Eugene, Oregon and head inland on OR-126. Our trusty Allstays Camp and RV app directs us to the Paradise Campground, a National Forest campground, near McKenzie, Oregon.

McKenzie Bridge is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, on the McKenzie River and within Willamette National Forest. It is located along Oregon Route 126, about 53 miles east of Eugene, between Rainbow and Belknap Springs.

McKenzie Bridge was the home of the National Register of Historic Places listed Log Cabin Inn until March 29, 2006, when it was destroyed by fire.

The McKenzie River Ranger Station, originally the site of the 1934 Civilian Conservation Corps Camp Belknap, is located in McKenzie Bridge.

This region experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 degrees F, according to the Köppen Climate Classification system.

We will spend one night here.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Coos Bay, Oregon
Departure Time: 11:10 A.M.
Arrived: McKenzie Bridge, OR
Arrival Time: 5:00 P.M.

Campground Name: Paradise
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 44.18500
Longitude: W 122.09200
Elevation: 1,600 Feet
Camping Fee: $22.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 20
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Trash Dumpster, Dump Station
Total Campsites: 63

Cellular Service: Verizon – No service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)

Total miles traveled today: 184
Route Traveled:
North on US-101
East on OR-126 to Paradise Campground

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Coos Bay, OR - 07/20/16

Wednesday – July 20, 2016
Bastendorff Beach County Park
Coos Bay, Oregon

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We spent Tuesday exploring Redwood National Park near Crescent City, California. We set off to explore the Oregon coastline from the California state line up to Eugene, Oregon. The morning started off quite foggy and burned off by about noon. Does this morning coastal fog ever end?

We will spend one night at the Bastendorf Beach County Park campground. This is a very crowded campground. However, a short walk within the park provides a wonderful view of the Pacific Ocean.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Crescent City, California
Departure Time: 11:50 A.M.
Arrived: Bastendorff Beach County Park
Arrival Time: 4:45 P.M.

Campground Name: Bastendorff Beach County Park
Type: County
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 43.34123
Longitude: W 124.34990
Elevation: 76 Feet
Camping Fee: $26.14
Campsite: 32
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Free Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Dump Station
Total Campsites: 99

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (too many trees blocking antenna)

Total miles traveled today: 143
Route Traveled:
North on US-101
Left on Beaver Hill Road
Right on Seven Devils Road
Left on Walker Lane
Left on Cape Arago Highway
Right on Bastendorf Beach Road

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Redwood NP - 07/19/16 - Orick, CA

Tuesday – July 19, 2016
Redwood National Park
Orick, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We were planning to tour the Oregon Pacific Coastline on Monday, but we delayed those plans to visit the Redwoods National Park in Orick, California. Our homebase for this visit is Shoreline RV Park in Crescent City, California. The park is located on the west side of US-101, alongside the coast of the Pacific Ocean and about 36 miles north of Redwoods National Park.

The native range of the Coast Redwood tree is from the northern California coast north to the southern Oregon Coast. The tree is closely related to the giant sequoia of central California. Redwoods are the tallest trees on Earth. The tallest tree in the park, Hyperion, stands at 379 feet tall.

Coast Redwood Facts:
Height: To nearly 380 feet
Age: To 2,000 years
Bark: To 12 inches thick
Base: To 22 feet diameter
Reproduce: By seed or sprout
Seed Size: Like a tomato seed
Cone Size: Like a large olive

In 1800 redwood forests probably covered two million acres. Seeming endless at first, the trees soon succumbed to a determined logging industry. The State of California preserved some key groves in the 1920’s. Congress created Redwood National Park in 1968 to protect the world’s tallest trees.

In 1994 the National Park Service and the California Department of Parks and Recreation administratively combined Redwood National Park with the three abutting Redwood State Parks for the purpose of cooperative forest management and stabilization of forests and watersheds as a single unit. Collectively, they protect nearly 40,000 acres of ancient forest, almost half of all that remain.

Redwood-like trees grew over much of the Northern Hemisphere in the Age of the Dinosaurs. Later climate change reduced redwood habitat to a narrow, fog-bound coastal corridor. Coast redwoods reproduce by seed and by stump and basal sprouting. Seeds slightly larger than a pinhead are released from mature cones that ripen in August and September. If a redwood is felled or badly burned, a ring of new trees often sprouts from burls around the trunk’s base. These so-called "family groups" are common. Saplings use the parent tree’s root system. Redwoods have no taproot; their roots penetrate only 10 to 13 feet deep but spread out 60 to 80 feet.

From sea level to 3,200 feet in elevation in the Coast Range, a mild, moist climate assures the National Park and State Parks an abundant diversity of wildlife, including Roosevelt elk and black bears. Prairies form natural islands of grasslands, where elk are frequently seen grazing.

Hiking on the trails through these enchanted forests of towering redwood trees is a truly mystical experience.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Crescent City, CA - 07/18/16

Monday – July 18, 2016
Shoreline RV Park
Crescent City, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We spent a restful night at the Walmart in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Since we were in southern Oregon we decided to visit Redwood National Park located in the northwest region of California near Crescent City. So off we go!

Our Allstays Camp and RV app, for our Android smartphone, directed us to the Shoreline RV Park, a county park, located right on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Crescent City. This will be our home base while we explore Redwood National Park.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Klamath Falls, Oregon
Departure Time: 7:40 A.M.
Arrived: Crescent City, California
Arrival Time: 12:35 P.M.

Campground: Shoreline RV Park
Type: County
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.75303
Longitude: W 124.19093
Elevation: 7 Feet
Camping Fee: $30.62
Campsite: 51
Campsite Hookups: Full – Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Free WiFi, Laundry Room
Total Campsites: 94

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 215
Route Traveled:
West on OR-140
South on OR-199
South on US-101 to Shoreline RV Park

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Klamath Falls, OR - 07/17/16

Sunday – July 17, 2016
Walmart Store #1772
Klamath Falls, Oregon

We spent a delightful six days exploring Crater Lake National Park. It is time to replenish our food supplies and prescription medications. We will spend the night at the Walmart in Klamath Falls before continuing on with our next adventure.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Crater Lake National Park
Departure Time: 11:50 A.M.
Arrived: Klamath Falls, OR
Arrival Time: 1:20 P.M.

Campground: Walmart
Type: Commercial
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 42.19388
Longitude: W 121.75820
Elevation: 4,083 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: By Garden Center

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-4 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 53
Route Traveled:
South on OR-62
South on US-97
South on US-97/US-39
West on Washburn Way to Walmart

Friday, July 15, 2016

Diamond Lake - 07/15/16 - Crater Lake NP

Friday - July 15, 2016
Diamond Lake
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Diamond Lake is a natural body of water in the southern part of Oregon. It lies near the junction of Oregon Route 138 and Oregon Route 230 in the Umpqua National Forest. It is located between Mount Bailey to the west and Mount Thielsen to the east; it is just north of Crater Lake National Park.

The outlet of the lake is at its north end. From there, water flows via Lake Creek into the North Umpqua River and ultimately to the Pacific Ocean.

Diamond Lake
Length: 3.5 miles
Width: 1.5 miles
Surface Area: 3,040 acres
Average Depth: 24 feet
Maximum Depth: 52.5 feet
Surface Elevation: 5,183 feet

Fishing, swimming, horseback riding, and hunting are popular at Diamond Lake in summer and fall. Winter sports include snowmobiling, Nordic and Alpine skiing, inner tubing and sled dog racing.

Diamond Lake Resort on the east side of the lake offers lodging, restaurants, stores, boat rentals, horse rentals, and other services.

The Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area is the closest state park to Diamond Lake.

The Forest Service operates four campgrounds near Diamond Lake:
Diamond Lake Campground - 240 campsites along the east side of the lake.
Broken Arrow Campground - 148 sites at the lake's south end.
Thielsen View Campground - 58 sites along the west shore, and 5 sites along the the South Shore.
Campground features include picnic tables, restrooms, showers, and garbage bins; some have hookups for recreational vehicles.

Anglers often fish by boat near Silent Creek on the south and in deep water on the north. There are five boat ramps around the lake, all of which have paved access. The speed limit on the lake is 10 miles per hour. The lake is generally open for fishing from late April through late October. Bank fishing is also productive at points along the lake trails.

Trails connect Diamond Lake to the summits of Mount Bailey and Mount Thielsen. One of the lake trails is a paved bike path 11 miles  long.

The South Shore Picnic Area has a playground, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, and a swimming beach, in addition to picnic accommodations.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

 

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Plaikni Falls - 07/14/16 - Crater Lake NP

Thursday - July 14, 2016
Plaikni Falls Trail
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon

This route winds through old-growth fir and hemlock forest, past a series of rugged bluffs, to the Plaikni Falls.

Plaikni, a Klamath Indian word meaning "from the high country," reflects the origin of the falls high on the slopes of the volcano.

The high country receives an average yearly snowfall of 44 feet. Melting snow percolates through the loose volcanic soil, hits an impermeable layer, and surfaces as a spring.

One spring forms the origin of Sand Creek, which cascades down as Plaikni Falls. In this lush environment, mosses and wildflowers thrive.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Pumice Castle - 07/13/16 - Crater Lake NP

Wednesday - July 13, 2016
Castle in the Crater
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Pumice Castle, shaped like the battlements of a castle, when pumice and other lavas welded together at high temperatures. These air-filled deposits were buried and compacted by later lava flows and exposed when Mount Mazama collapsed. A hardened base has kept Pumice Castle intact as softer materials have eroded away.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Crater Lake NP - 07/12/16 - Oregon

Tuessday – July 12, 2016
Crater Lake National Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon

Our first view of Crater Lake left us speechless and awestruck! Words cannot adequately describe the scenic wonder of this spiritual area that is central to the cultural traditions of local American Indian tribes.

Crater Lake National Park Facts:
Park established in 1902
Size: 183,224 acres
Lake Depth: 1,943 feet
Lake Width: 4.5 to 6 miles
Annual Snowfall: 44 feet

Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest lake in the United States. Crater Lake has no streams flowing into or out of it. All water that enters the lake is eventually lost from evaporation or subsurface seepage. The lake is re-filled entirely from direct precipitation in the form of snow and rain. The lake is considered to be the cleanest large body of water in the world. The water is exceptional for its clarity and intense blue color.

The lake resides inside a caldera and is 1,949 feet deep at its deepest point, which makes it the deepest lake in the United States, the second deepest in North America and the ninth deepest in the world. The impressive average depth of this volcanic lake is due to the nearly symmetrical 4,000-foot deep caldera formed 7,700 years ago during the violent climactic eruptions and subsequent collapse of Mount Mazama, a 12,000-foot-tall volcano. The eruption may have been the largest in North America in the past 640,000 years. The caldera rim ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet. The elevation of the lake surface itself is 6,178 feet.

About 400,000 years ago, Mount Mazama began its existence in much the same way as the other mountains of the Cascade Range, as overlapping shield volcanoes. Over time, alternating layers of lava flows and pyroclastic flows built Mazama's overlapping cones until it reached about 12,000 feet in height. Around 5700 BC, Mazama collapsed into itself during a tremendous volcanic eruption, losing 2,500 to 3,500 feet in height. The eruption formed a large caldera that, depending on the prevailing climate, was filled in about 740 years, forming a beautiful lake known today as Crater Lake. The Mazama eruption produced more than 150 times as much ash as the May 18, 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.

Volcanic activity in this area is fed by subduction off the coast of Oregon as the Juan de Fuca Plate slips below the North American Plate. Heat and compression generated by this movement has created a mountain chain topped by a series of volcanoes, which together are called the Cascade Range.

Mammals that are residents of this national park are Canadian lynxes, bobcats, beavers, chipmunks, pikas, foxes, cougars, squirrels, porcupines, black bears, brown bears, coyotes, timber wolves, badgers, deer, elk, muskrats, and martens. Birds that commonly fly through this park including raptors are American dippers, Peregrine falcons, ravens, Clark's nutcrackers, gray jays, bald eagles, hummingbirds and spotted owls while Canada geese float on its lake.

We explored Crater Lake via the Rim Drive. This is a 33-mile road that encircles Crater Lake. It is one of America’s most scenic byways, with spectacular views in all directions. Our "Must-See" stops included:

Discovery Point
It was near this spot, on the back of a mule in 1853, that gold prospector John Hillman became the first European-American to stumble across what he called "Deep Blue Lake."

Watchman Overlook
This overlook offers an unmatched view of Wizard Island, a cinder cone that erupted out of Crater Lake 7,300 years ago.

Cloudclap Overlook
This site sits at the end of a 1-mile spur road, the highest paved road in Oregon. Whitebark pines cling for survival here, dwarfed and contorted by the harsh winds.

Pumice Castle Overlook
This is one of the park’s most colorful features: a layer of orange pumice rock that has been eroded into the shape of a medieval castle.

Phantom Ship Overlook
Nestled against the shore, Crater Lakes "other island" resembles a small sailboat, although it is as tall as a 16-story building. It’s made of erosion-resistant lava, 400,000 years old – the oldest exposed rock within the caldera.

Pinnacles Overlook
Colorful spires, 100 feet tall, are being eroded from the canyon wall. The Pinnacles are "fossil fumaroles" where volcanic gases once rose up through a layer of volcanic ash, cementing the ash into solid rock.

Vidae Falls
A spring-fed creek tumbles over a glacier-carved cliff and drops 100 feet over a series of ledges. In summer, wildflowers flourish in the cascade’s spray.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

 

Monday, July 11, 2016

Crater Lake NP - 07/11/16 - Oregon

Monday – July 11, 2016
Crater Lake National Park
Annie Creek Snow Park
Klamath Falls, Oregon

We’ve had a wonderful time exploring California, now our travels take us to Oregon. We have been looking forward to visiting Crater Lake National Park. This will be our first stop in Oregon.

We arrived at the Mazama Campground, located within Crater Lake National Park, shortly after noon. The campground was full so we put "Plan B" into effect: we set up camp at the Annie Creek Sno-Park.

The Sno-Park is located 10 miles south of the Annie Spring Entrance Station to Crater Lake National Park. Camping at the Sno-Park is free. Free is Good! Potable water and a dump station are available in Mazama Village.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Tionesta, California
Departure Time: 9:30 A.M.
Arrived: Crater Lake National Park
Arrival Time: 12:25 P.M.

Campground: Annie Creek Sno-Park
Type: National Forest
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 42.76097
Longitude: W 122.05947
Elevation: 4,400 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets

Cellular Service: Verizon – None
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 128
Route Traveled:
East on National Forest Road 97
North on CA-139
North on OR-39
West on OR-140
North on US-97
North on OR-62 to Crater Lake NP

Saturday, July 9, 2016

Hawks Nest CG-Lava Beds NM - 07/09/16 - Tulelake, CA

Saturday – July 9, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Hawks Nest Campground
Tionesta, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

A cold front is forecast to hit the northern California region this weekend, daytime temperatures will be into the low 60’s and into the high 30’s during the night. We elected to move to the Hawks Nest RV and Cabins Campground, a private campground. This campground will allow us to pamper ourselves with full utilities hookups. Sharon was quite pleased with this move!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Indian Well Campground
Departure Time: 9:45 A.M.
Arrived: Hawks Nest Campground
Arrival Time: 10:20 A.M.

Campground: Hawks Nest
Type: Commercial
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.64860
Longitude: W 121.28629
Elevation: 4,250 Feet
Camping Fee: $25.00 with Good Sam Discount
Campsite: North side of road
Campsite Hookups: Full – Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Hot Showers, Trash Dumpster, Free WiFi, Laundry Room
Total Campsites: 20

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 15
Route Traveled:
South on National Forest Road 10
East on National Forest Road 97
East on County Road 97A

 

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Caves-Lava Beds NM - 07/07/16 - Tulelake, CA

Thursday – July 7, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Cave Exploring
Tulelake, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

Eruptions occurring 30,000-40,000 years ago formed over 700 tube caves found in the park. Lava tubes form when streams of hot, flowing lava start to cool. The center of the stream stays hot and continues to flow as the outside begins to cool and harden. The hot lava drains out, leaving a pipe-like cave. Multiple eruptions can stack caves on top of one another, creating multilevel caves. When a lava tube ceiling collapses, it opens access to the cave.

Lava Beds National Monument does not attract a large number of visitors each year, which translates into very little congestion while exploring the caves and lava rock formations throughout the monument.

We spent today exploring some of the caves on Cave Loop Road. Well… actually I explored some caves, Sharon had no desire to go into a cave. I must admit it was a bit unnerving to be all alone in totally black darkness as I walked further into the caves. I did have a small flashlight that I used to see where I could walk on the uneven, rock-strewn, floor of the caves. Quite often I would turn the flashlight off for a while, to experience the complete darkness and total silence. I took pictures with the flash on my Nikon 510 camera. The pictures clearly show the pipe-like features of these caves. Just imagine being in these areas in total darkness!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

The Caves of Cave Loop Road
Thunderbolt

Golden Dome

Hopkins Chocolate

Catacombs

Sunshine

Hercules Leg

Juniper

Sentinel

Mushpot

Indian Well

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Indian Wells CG-Lava Beds NM - 07/06/16 - Tulelake, CA

Wednesday – July 6, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Tulelake, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We were not thrilled with the campsite we had selected on Tuesday at the Indian Well Campground, located within the Lava Beds National Monument. This morning we selected another campsite that offered more privacy. We have decided to extend our stay here through Sunday, so this new campsite will be our home base while we explore the rich history of this enchanting area.

Lava Beds National Monument was established in 1925 to protect the volcanic land, the numerous caves, and the history of its early human occupation by the Modoc Indians. Within this northern region of California, 500,000 years ago, the Earth opened, cracking and sputtering. It released liquid rock and rivers of fire across the landscape. Intermittent eruptions over thousands of years layered the land, leaving intricate caves, cones, craters, and black, jagged blankets of lava.

The Modoc called this the land of "burnt-out fires." Tule Lake and Lava Beds were then, and are today, the center of their world. The Modoc life and culture was perfectly tuned to this environment and the richness of the resources it provided. They lived in semi-permanent winter villages along Lost River and Tule Lake. Each year as winter turned to spring, they began a seasonal round of fishing, hunting, and gathering. Ragged and rough, the terrain of the lava flows could be dangerous, but to the Modoc it was a sacred landscape. It provided bounty in the hunt and challenged those seeking power and knowledge through vision quests.

The Modoc and their ancestors lived in this rugged land for over 10,000 years. Following the rhythms of nature, they moved freely across the land until they were forcibly removed. The blazing of the Applegate Trail through the heart of the Modoc territory was the beginning of the end for the traditional Modoc way of life. Increasing numbers of white settlers claimed ancestral Modoc land, conflicts escalated, and both sides resorted to violent attacks. By the 1860’s settlers demanded area tribes be moved to the Kalmath Reservation in Oregon. The Modoc reluctantly signed a treaty, but consistently requested a reservation in their homeland. Poo conditions and disagreements with other tribes on the reservation convinced some Modoc to return home. Broken promises, bitter resentments, and distrust made negotiations impossible.

The Modoc War began on November 29, 1872, when troops from Fort Kalmath tried to force the resisting Modoc back to the reservation. They fled to the natural fortress of the lava beds, to what today is called "Captain Jacks Stronghold." In April 1873 peace talks began. A Modoc woman married to a white settler served as an interpreter between the Modoc and the Army. Kientpoos (Captain Jack) wanted his people to be allowed to stay in their homeland. He also wanted peace. Modoc society ruled by consensus. Remembering the 1852 slaughter of 30 members of their tribe, a majority voted to eliminate the peace commissioners. On April 11, 1873, peace commissioners General Edward Canby and Reverend Eleazar Thomas were killed (the only general to have been killed in an Indian war). General William Sherman soon called for the "utter extermination" of the Modoc.

For six months 1,000 troops and volunteers fought to capture fewer than 60 Modoc warriors and their families. Those who resisted were exiled to the Quapaw Agency in Oklahoma. Kientpoos surrendered on June 1, 1873 and was later hanged with three others.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Lava Beds NM - 07/05/16 - Tulelake, CA

Tuesday – July 5, 2016
Lava Beds National Monument
Indian Well Campground
Tulelake, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

On this segment of our West Coast adventure our destination is Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. Since the distance from Truckee, California to Crater Lake is about 360 miles, we plan to do a one-night layover at the Indian Well Campground in the Lava Beds National Monument near Tulelake, California. As we entered the Lava Beds National Monument, we were intrigued by the surrounding landscape filled with pitch black lava rocks.

After we got settled into our campsite, at the Indian Wells campground, we checked the weather forecast for Crater Lake National Park. The forecast for the coming weekend showed rain with daytime temperatures in the middle 50’s to low 60’s and nighttime temperatures in the high 30’s. We decide we will stay at the Lava Beds National Monument through Sunday, where we will enjoy warmer temperatures in the middle 70’s and sunny days.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Truckee, California
Departure Time: 9:25 A.M.
Arrived: Tionesta, California
Arrival Time: 3:55 P.M.

Campground: Indian Well
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 41.71776
Longitude: W 121.50539
Elevation: 4,657 Feet
Camping Fee: $10.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: B21
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Water Spigots, Trash Dumpsters
Total Campsites: 40

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-3 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 252
Route Traveled:
North on CA-267
North on CA-89
North on CA-49
East on CA-70
North on US-395
North on CA-139
West on National Forest Road 97
North on National Forest Road 10 to Campground.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Lake Tahoe - 06/26/16 - Truckee, CA

Sunday – June 26, 2016
Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area
Alpine Meadows COE Campground
Truckee, California

PICTURES AND VIDEO TO BE ADDED SOON

We are so happy to depart the Redhawk Casino in Placerville, California. On this occasion free camping had it’s downside. RV's were required to park in a bus parking area that is located adjacent to the casino's enclosed parking garage. Music is piped throughout the parking garage area, 24/7. If the music doesn’t eventually frazzle your nerves, then perhaps the almost-constant noise from vehicles and motorcycles entering and leaving the garage will accomplish that task. Since the enclosed garage area provides an excellent echo chamber, there are some folks who love to rev their engines so everyone can enjoy the roar from their loud mufflers. We did eventually get a good nights rest, but, in our opinion, this casino is definitely not set up to accommodate suitable, overnight parking for RV's.

This segment of our trip takes us to Lake Tahoe, California. Our original plan was to camp at a campground in South Lake Tahoe. Upon our arrival at the campground we were informed the campground would be closed from 06/27/16 through 07/01/16, while the area was sprayed to kill off an infestation of mites. These mites are carried by the chipmunks that inhabit the campground. The mite infestation, plus the congestion in the area prompted us to keep on traveling.

South Lake Tahoe is a popular tourist destination with the resultant, annoying traffic congestion. This is not our idea of a fun-filled adventure! We move on! Quickly!

We travel north on CA-89, along the west side of Lake Tahoe and discover almost the entire route is inundated with resorts, most of them obstructing the view of the lake. Occasionally we catch a glimpse of Lake Tahoe. We continue our travel on CA-28 around the north end of Lake Tahoe and take the exit to CA-267. This route takes us north to the Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area near Truckee, California.

Within the Martis Creek Lake Recreation Area is an Army Corps of Engineering (COE) campground: Alpine Meadows. This will be our homebase while we explore the area.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Placerville, California
Departure Time: 8:55 P.M.
Arrived: Truckee, California
Arrival Time: 1:25 P.M.

Campground: Alpine Meadows
Type: Army Corps of Engineer (COE)
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.32846
Longitude: W 120.12200
Elevation: 5,871 Feet
Camping Fee: $20.00 (50% discount with Senior Pass)
Campsite: 4
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Vault Toilets, Water Spigots
Total Campsites: 25

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-4 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 121
Route Traveled:
East on US-50
North on CA-89
East on CA-28
North on CA-267

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Redhawk Casino - 06/25/16 - Placerville, CA

Saturday – June 25, 2016
Redhawk Casino
Placerville, California

As we were preparing to depart the Island Park (COE) Campground near Sanger, California… a slight mishap occurred. Sharon was inside the trailer securing the usual items for travel, while I was outside preparing to hookup the trailer to our tow vehicle. As I was jacking up the trailer, the foot of the jack slipped off the plastic blocks and the trailer swung sideways off of the blocks and hit the ground. Fortunately, no harm was done to Sharon, me or the trailer, but another valuable lesson was learned.

Our trailer has a single axle.

I use a BAL wheel chock that compresses against both sides of the tire, on one side of the trailer, to secure the trailer from moving while I jack the front end up off of the receiver hitch ball. I have been doing it this way for the past 8 years, since we purchased the trailer new in May 2008. What happened is as I jacked the trailer up, the unchocked wheel started to move putting enormous stress on the chocked wheel. The trailer was parked on a cement pad and it shifted on an angle of about one foot after it cleared the plastic blocks and the foot of the jack hit the cement parking pad. I now chock both wheels and put an abrasive pad between the foot of the jack and the plastic blocks. Who knew? Obviously, I didn’t! Hopefully, this experience may help other campers who only chock one wheel on one side of their single-axle trailers.

After our unfortunate mishap with hitching the trailer we had an uneventful trip to our destination for the night: the Redhawk Casino in Placerville, California. Free Camping! Free is Good!

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Sanger, California
Departure Time: 12:45 P.M.
Arrived: Placerville, California
Arrival Time: 6:30 P.M.

Campground: Redhawk Casino
Type: Casino
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 38.69437
Longitude: W 120.90677
Elevation: 1,513 Feet
Camping Fee: Free
Campsite: NA
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets in Casino
Total Campsites: About 20

Cellular Service: Verizon – 4G-2 Bars
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – 5 Bars
Dish TV Satellite Service: No Service (Casino blocking southern sky)

Total miles traveled today: 232
Route Traveled:
West on CA-180
North on CA-99
East on US-50 to Casino

Monday, June 20, 2016

Island Park RA - 06/20/16 - Sanger, CA

Monday – June 20, 2016
Island Park Recreation Area
Sanger, California

What a difference the elevation has on the temperature. Since June 5th we been camping at elevations of 6500 to 6700 feet and enjoying daytime temperatures in the low to middle 70’s, with nighttime temperatures in the low to middle 40’s.

We are now camping at the Island Park Campground near Sanger, California. The elevation here is 990 feet. The daytime temperatures are in the low 100’s and the nighttime temperatures are in the low to middle 60’s. Low Dew Points in the middle 30’s make sitting outside, in the shade, quite tolerable. This is an Army Corps of Engineering (COE) campground and our campsite has electric, water and sewer hookups, so we run the air conditioner during the day, as needed.

Our stay in Sanger was prompted by a need to pick up a refilled prescription medication for Sharon. Since our campsite has full hookups we decided to pamper ourselves and spend five days here.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Oakhurst, California
Departure Time: 9:45 A.M.
Arrived: Sanger, California
Arrival Time: 2:30 P.M.

Campground: Island Park
Type: Army Corps of Engineer (COE)
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 36.86464
Longitude: W 119.31573
Elevation: 990 Feet
Camping Fee: $30.00 (50% discount with Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 7
Campsite Hookups: Electric, Water, Sewer
Campground Amenities: Flush Toilets, Pay Showers
Total Campsites: 97

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 107
Route Traveled:
South on California Highway 41
East on California Highway 180
North on Academy Avenue
East on Belmont Avenue (turns into Trimmer Springs Road)
North on Trimmer Springs Road to Island Park Campground

Thursday, June 16, 2016

The Jones Store - 06/16/16 - Beasore Meadows, CA

Thursday – June 16, 2016
The Jones Store
Beasore Meadows Campground
Oakhurst, California

As cattle were driven to the rich mountain grasses in eastern Madera County, Tom Jones saw a need to supply the drovers with staples and supplies. Although cattle are now hauled up in truck and trailer to the lush mountain meadows, many other traditions continue, and are carried on by descendents of the old time cattlemen. Beasore Meadow was named for Tom Beasore, a French Indian, who was Tom Jones uncle.

Tom built his first store in 1936, during the time Beasore Road was built. During one harsh winter, a heavy snowfall buckled the store’s roof. The store was replaced in 1954, with a larger building that included a second floor with a corrugated roof. Inside the store, the original barstools and countertops remain, fashioned out of Cedar trees cut down on the property. This store is still standing and continues to serve visitors to the higher backcountry.

Like a link to the past, a Globe manual gas pump that probably dates back to the 1920’s, is believed to be the last still in operation in California. Customers fill the globe with the number of gallons of gasoline they desire, then press a handle that relies on gravity to fill their vehicle with the gas.

Over time, the store hasn’t changed. It is well known for it’s good food and homemade pies. Store sales are still rung up a 1936 cash register. A double-door beer box dates to 1925. Vintage Servel refrigerators, that holds sodas, are 85 years old. Fourth generation families, as well as newly acquainted friends still patronize the store and campgrounds.

Tom Jones’ daughter, Lois Jones-Black and her husband Vern Black operated the store for many years. They lived upstairs above the store during the summer months. Lois passed away in 2015 and Vern, at age 95, is in poor health and unable to operate the store. His daughter, Dee and two sons, John and Jim, now operate the store.

John and Jim learned their culinary skills from their mother and both love to cook. They serve up the largest, most delicious Tri Tip beef sandwiches and hamburgers; both are served on a toasted french roll. Dee learned her pie-making skills from her mother and makes the most delicious pies.

By the end of September, with the usual start of snow, they start shutting down. By early October, the Blacks head back to the family ranch in Coarsegold, California.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Beasore Meadows - 06/15/16 - Oakhurst, CA

Wednesday – June 15, 2016
Beasore Meadows Campground
Oakhurst, California

We had to vacate our campsite at the Wawona Campground Wednesday morning. The campground is located within Yosemite National Park, but it was only available for two nights.

Our search for another campsite on Tuesday took us through the Sierra National Forest on California Highway 41, south of Yosemite National Park. We inspected two free campsites (dispersed camping) on Jackson Road and other fee-based campsites on Sky Ranch Road. Both roads, at some point, turn into quite rough dirt roads, but navigable with a two-wheel drive vehicle.

After discovering a few camping solutions, we were still not satisfied with our options. We consulted our Allstays Camp and RV smartphone app. We discovered Beasore Meadows, a private camping resort located within the Sierra National Forest at an elevation of 6700 feet. We called the owner and were told to select a campsite near a creek that runs through the property. The campsite fee would be $5.00 per night. Sold! This morning we set up our campsite by the spring-fed creek.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Yosemite National Park
Departure Time: 8:45 A.M.
Arrived: Beasore Meadows
Arrival Time: 10:00 P.M.

Campground: Beasore Meadows
Type: Private Camping Resort
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 37.439803
Longitude: W 119.477479
Elevation: 6795 Feet
Camping Fee: $5.00
Campsite: Creekside
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, One Flush Toilet, Three Outhouses
Total Campsites: 8

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 38
Route Traveled:
South on California Route 41
East on Mountain Road 274
North on Beasore Road to Campground (14 miles)

Monday, June 13, 2016

Yosemite NP - 06/13/16 - Oakhurst, CA

Monday – June 13, 2016
Yosemite National Park
Oakhurst, California

We spent a wonderful eight days exploring Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park. Now it is time to explore our next adventure: Yosemite National Park.

We were fortunate to secure a campsite within Yosemite, for two nights, at the Wawona Campground, with an advance reservation. We loathe the campsite reservation systems: State and Federal. In our frequent travels to campgrounds in State Parks, National Parks, National Forests and Army Corps of Engineering (COE), too many times we have seen reserved sites go unused. We wonder how this can continue to happen. We long for the "good ole days" of "First-Come-First-Served."

Wawona is a scenic campground, located adjacent to the Chilnualna Creek. The sound of the rushing water in the creek provides a soothing atmosphere to relax in. As is typical of some National Park campgrounds, campsites at Wawona are close together and provide little privacy.

On Tuesday we will explore other camping options that afford us more privacy.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.

Travel Details:
Departed: Sequoia National Park
Departure Time: 9:35 A.M.
Arrived: Yosemite National Park
Arrival Time: 2:15 P.M.

Campground: Wawona
Type: National Park
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude: N 37.54552
Longitude: W 119.67399
Elevation: 4000 Feet
Camping Fee: $26.00 (50% discount for Golden Age Pass)
Campsite: 10
Campsite Hookups: None
Campground Amenities: Water Spigots, Flush Toilets, Dump
Total Campsites: 93

Cellular Service: Verizon – No Service
Internet Service: Verizon Jetpack – No Service
Dish TV Satellite Service: Excellent Service

Total miles traveled today: 125
Route Traveled:
East on California Route 180
North on California Route 41 to Yosemite National Park

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Kings Canyon NP - 06/08/16 - Sanger, CA

Wednesday – June 8, 2016
Kings Canyon National Park
General Grant Tree

Kings Canyon National Park is a national park in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, that was established in 1940 and covers 461,901 acres. It incorporated General Grant National Park, established in 1890 to protect the General Grant Grove of giant sequoias. The park is north of and contiguous with Sequoia National Park; the two are administered by the National Park Service jointly as the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Kings Canyon National Park consists of two sections. The small, detached General Grant Grove section preserves several groves of giant sequoias, including the General Grant Grove, with the famous General Grant Tree,

and the Redwood Mountain Grove, which is the largest remaining natural grove of giant sequoias in the world covering 3,100 acres and with 15,800 sequoia trees over 1 foot in diameter at their bases.

The park's Giant Sequoia forests are part of 202,430 acres of old-growth forests shared by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. This section of the park is mostly mixed conifer forest, and is readily accessible via paved highways.

The remainder of Kings Canyon National Park, which comprises over 90% of the total area of the park, is located to the east of General Grant Grove and forms the headwaters of the South and Middle Forks of the Kings River and the South Fork of the San Joaquin River. Both the South and Middle Forks of the Kings Rivers have extensive glacial canyons. One portion of the South Fork canyon, known as the Kings Canyon, gives the entire park its name. Kings Canyon, with a maximum depth of 8,200 feet, is one of the deepest canyons in the United States. The canyon was carved by glaciers out of granite. The Kings Canyon, and its developed area, Cedar Grove, is the only portion of the main part of the park that is accessible by motor vehicle.

To the east of the canyons are the high peaks of the Sierra Crest, which attain an elevation of 14,248 feet at the summit of North Palisade, the highest point in the park. This is classic high Sierra country: barren alpine ridges and glacially scoured lake-filled basins. Usually snow free only from late June until late October, the high country is accessible only via foot and horse trails. The Sierran crest forms the eastern boundary of the park, from Mount Goethe in the north, down to Junction Peak, at the boundary with Sequoia National Park. Several passes cross the crest into the park, including Bishop Pass, Taboose Pass, Sawmill Pass, and Kearsarge Pass. All of these passes are above 11,000 feet elevation.

Hume Lake
This is a man-made lake, originally built in 1908 as a reservoir, to supply water for logging flumes used to float rough-cut sequoia lumber 54 miles from Converse Basin to a mill in the town of Sanger. There's a big Christian camp here, along with a store, cafe and gas station and you can rent boats. It's off the main road going toward Kings Canyon and can be reached by turning off onto either end of the loop road that goes past it.

Knapp's Cabin
This is an attraction in Cedar Grove. George Knapp was a wealthy business man in California who chose a spot to build his cabin to use as a storage shed for all of the summer camping trips he would take during the 1920’s. It is now the oldest building in Cedar Grove. A mile from Knapp’s Cabin is Roaring River Falls, accompanied by a variety of wildflowers in the area and also a variety of birds.

Tomorrow another adventure begins.