Pacific Northwest - Summer Sojourn 2014
It is time to hit the road again! Another big trip planned for the next 2 - 1/2 months.
The general itinerary is;
Tucson to N Arizona
S. Utah, then across Nevada
California - E. Sierras, Yosemite, Placerville, N on I-5, & Lassen Volcanic NP
Oregon - Central and US 101 from Florence to Columbia River.
Washington - Cascades to W Coast
Alaska - fly to Anchorage then 7 days Southbound Cruise
NYC - mid-June, a quick trip (fly) for some National Park sites missed last Fall.
All of this area has been traveled before, although we always find new surprises along the way!
Whew - I'm tired!
With poor connectivity in the West I will probably try to post, at least, once a week.
Stay tuned,
-Pat
Ice Break on the Santa Cruz
Leaving behind 100 degrees and cactus flowers. On Friday the ' Ice Broke on the Santa Cruz'. A local TV station adopted the contest from Alaska - where the ice really does break up. All Spring people can submit the day and time they predict the ice will break - the first time it reaches 100 at the airport. Santa Cruz refers to the River that flows north, from Mexico, through Tucson. Water flowing is not exactly a year-round occurrence. There is water in the channel only a few days a year, if we are lucky. Be careful if someone in Tucson asks you to go fishing for sand trout, they are pulling your leg!
The cactus flowers start blooming in February and different species continue to bloom into summer. There is a lapse, then the barrel cactus bloom in August.
Blooming in my yard this AM
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Saguaro blooms in front yard this AM
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Grand Canyon to Kanab, UT
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Start: Tucson, AZ
Finish: Canyon Vista campground (USFS), S of Flagstaff, AZ 487
On the road by 9 AM. North on I-10, then I-17 through Phoenix. First stop was for a drive-by letterbox along the frontage road. 95 degrees, didn't feel too bad, as long as you weren't exerting yourself! A quick stop at Costco for gas and lunch before continuing north towards Flagstaff.
First National Park Service (NPS) stop at Montezuma Castle, much quieter than usual. On their information board they had posted that their visitation yesterday was, 1388. The parking lot is very small, we've had trouble parking there in the past. An overcast sky and breeze made the air very pleasant. Besides the ruins Wet Beaver Creek runs along the base and has water most of the year. Below the Visitor Center is a nice picnic area near the creek and shaded by towering Arizona White Sycamore trees. While there we purchased the collector token for this site. About a year ago national park sites began selling these quarter-sized pewter-like tokens. Most parks sell them for 99 cents, a fun collectible. Folders, similar to the ones sold for smashed pennies are also available to store the tokens.
Montezuma Castle
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Wet Beaver Creek
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Towering Arizona White Sycamore
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Continued N on I-17, up the Mogollon Rim into Flagstaff. Right before I-17 crosses I-40 we took the Lake Mary Road south for,a few miles to a small campground along the rim of Walnut Canyon. Besides camping this is a very popular trailhead for rock climbers, it also is a connector to the Arizona Trail.
Comfortable temperature, but very windy, as predicted. We were able to sit out of the wind up against the van.
Monday, May 19
Start - S. Of Flagstaff, AZ
Finish - Ten X campground (USFS),S. Of Tusayan, AZ
Very quiet night in camp. Woke up to chittering, my description of the sound Broad-tailed Hummingbirds make. We had hung a feeder when we arrived and there was no action last night. They found it this morning, I observed at least 5 coming and going to the feeder. They are a bit aggressive with each other, but put on a good aerial show.
While traveling through Flagstaff we visited Walnut Canyon NM. Highly recommend taking the trail down, and then up to see the ruins. The peninsula where the ruins are located make a unique setting. The trail distance is. to long, but the 200 plus steps at 7000 ft elevation makes for a tough walk. They are currently rebuilding the trail, with some access limited, but the main ruins can be seen. While in the area we checked on a letterbox my husband had planted over a year ago. There had been approximately 10 finders.
In town we shopped at the new REI, off Butler, near Northern Arizona University. We drove into downtown to find the old post office, 1936. The copper work on the front is beautiful. Many of the Flagstaff buildings are built using the Coconino red sandstone. The county courthouse, built in 1894, is a prime example.
Old Coconino County Courthouse
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We left Flagstaff on US 180, heading north towards the Grand Canyon. The wind continued to be very strong. In Tusayan we stopped at RP's Stage stop for a set of smashed pennies, new set for us. Before entering the park we stopped for a new letterbox and to do some maintenance on one planted a number of years ago.
We arrived at the entrance station at 1:30 and saw the Full sign- lodging, trailer village and Mather campground. We headed back south to Ten X and found a site there. This time of year, and on a Monday, we have always been able to get a campsite in the park as long as we arrived before 3 PM. For anyone heading this way, Ten X also has reservable sites through recreation.gov.
Back into the park to look for one of the original buildings that was used as a post office. Luckily it was marked with a plaque. We had a picture, but most of the Bright Angel cabins look alike. The original logs are still exposed on the exterior of this building. Later we found the post office that served after the cabin, and before the current one in the Market Plaza. We walked along the rim and got additional passport stamps at Kolb Studio and Verkamp's Visitor Center. Before heading back to camp we enjoyed a Grand Canyon Pale Ale at the Pizza & Pub at Maswik Lodge. The pub was not busy and much more relaxing than most of the places along the rim.
When we got back to the campground we saw a bundle of wood at an empty campsite. In our travels along Route 66 we have seen almost everything use Rt 66 as part of their advertising. This was a new one for us - Route 66 wood, Get your sticks on Rt. 66.
Old Post Office at Grand Canyon Village
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Post Office plaque
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Rim View
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Rt. 66 wood
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Tuesday, May 20
Start: S of Tusayan, AZ
Finish: Ponderosa Grove campground (BLM) 15 miles NW of Kanab, UT
Checked Fried Steak for breakfast! Grand Canyon plate at Maswik Lodge includes 2 eggs, choice of meat, chicken fried steak and gravy for us, potatoes and toast for $7.50. Same plate in January was $6.25. Along with a bowl of oatmeal for $1.95 this made a great meal to share.
As crowded as the village was Monday afternoon Yavapai Point Geology Museum was empty. What a pleasure to view the canyon and exhibits without wall-to-wall people. The bookstore manager told us it stayed quiet until 11 AM when the train and tour busses arrive.
A stop at the main Visitor Center we stopped for passport stamps. They had a nice display of all the stamps you can get in the park. The only one missing was the one for the Albright Training Center, which we got yesterday.
Passport stamp display
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We drove east on AZ 64 towards Cameron with stops at Grandview Point, Tusayan Museum and Desert Tower. At Grandview Point there was a hotel built in the 1880s, that also housed a post office. Mining was also done there. All remains of both businesses were removed when the park was established. Interpretative signs have historic pictures and good background information. The short trail at Tusayan Museum displays the archaeological remains of prehistoric village, including a small and large kiva. I always enjoy the view at the base of the Watchtower at Desert Tower, a nice long stretch of the Colorado River looking north, upriver.
It may still be a week away from Memorial Day, but the crowds and rental RVs indicate the summer tourism season is in full swing.
RV rentals at Grandview Point
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Last year a portion of US 89 south of Page gave way, closing access to Page on US 89. There was a long run-around through Tuba City and Kaibito. Last Fall T-89 was fully paved and opened at Gap, AZ. They paved Navajo 20. This was our first time on and we were pleased with this excellent road.
A couple of stops in Page for passport stamps at the Powell Museum and Visitor Center, letterbox and supplies before crossing the Colorado River and stopping at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center. This is the location for tours of the Glen Canyon dam.
As we left Arizona we realized we had seen all but 4 state's license plates in the 2-1/2 days traveling in Arizona.
Missing- KS, MS, WV & ME
On our way to Kanab we stopped at Big Water Visitor Center, part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante NM, a BLM site. They have great fossil displays. The volunteer on duty told us they are discovering and excavating dinosaurs, some fairly complete, on a regular basis.
Outside of Kanab we camped at a BLM campground, Ponderosa Grove. Only a few sites and only $5 a night, $2.50 for Golden Age. Located within the Coral Sand Dunes, a few miles before the state park by the same name. Still windy!
Wednesday Preview: Zion campgrounds full by 9 AM!
Letterboxes
Sunday - 1
Monday - 2
Tuesday - 2
Passport Stamps
Montezuma Castle National Monument - Camp Verde, AZ
Bonus
- Montezuma Castle National Monument - Historic Visitor Center 1960
Theodore Roosevelt 1858-1919 - The National Parks: America's Best Idea
Arizona's Centennial 1912-2012 - Montezuma Castle
Walnut Canyon National Monument - Flagstaff, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park
Albright Training Center - Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park - Kolb Studio
Grand Canyon National Park - Verkamp's
Grand Canyon National Park - Yavapai Geology Museum
Grand Canyon National Park - Yavapai Point, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon, AZ
Grand Canyon National Park - Grand Canyon Visitor Center
Grand Canyon National Park - Tusayan Ruin
Desert View - Grand Camyon, AZ
Bonus
Historic Kolb Studio - Grand Canyon South Rim
Verkamp's Visitor Center - Grand Canyon
- Albright Training Center
NPS Arrowhead
Wilderness 50 years 1964-2014
Old Spanish NHT - Powell Museum, AAz
Old Spanish NHT - Page, AZ
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area - Page, AZ
Grand Staircase-Escalante NM - Big Water, UT
Old Spanish NHT - Grand Staircase - Escalante NM, UT
Bonus
-Nothronychus graffami (dinosaur)
Smashed Pennies
RP's Stage Stop - Tusayan, AZ
NPS Collector Tokens
Montezuma Castle NM - 1
Grand Canyon NP - 2
Wildlife Sightings
Abert's Squirrel
Coyote
Elk
Mule Deer
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Common Raven
Northern Mockingbird
Turkey Vulture
American Robin
Western Bluebird
Hummingbird, broad-tailed
Swallow, ?
Black-throated Warbler
Great Blue Heron
Stellar Blue Jay
Piņon Jay
House Sparrow
Honeymoon couple at Kolob Canyon
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I realized I had not included the picture of Megan and Mike - May 24 the post.
Yosemite and Highway 49 to Placerville
Tuesday, May 27
Start: Mammoth Lakes, CA
Finish: Diamond O campground (USFS), W of Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite NP
After a quiet morning in camp, great for birdwatching. We drove up to the Twin Lakes Vista on Lake Mary Rd in Mammoth Lakes. Beautiful view of the first lake, one of many up that road.
Lower Twin Lake
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Drove out of town on the Mammoth Scenic loop, which took us to US 395, north of town. Stopped at the Mono Basin Visitor Center, a multi-agency center with excellent displays and gift shop. Under the eaves of the building there were a number of Cliff Swallows nesting. Behind the visitor center is a spectacular view of Mono Lake.
Mono Basin Visitor Center
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Cliff Swallow nests
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Mono Lake
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We drove W on CA 120, the Tioga Pass Road. Luckily the road opened very early this year, the end of April. About 10 miles west of Lee Vining, on the right side of the road was the Nunatuk Nature Trail. What a wonderful, short trail passing 3 lakes. I highly recommend getting out of the car and taking this trail, about 1/2 mile long. The road may be clear, but not the trail still had snow. The small lakes were very beautiful with very clear water.
Trailhead
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Snow on trail
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Lake area view
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A short distance up the road, and before you enter Yosemite National Park you reach Tioga Lake. The view was spectacular - still covered with ice.
Tioga Lake
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The drive across Tioga Pass road was beautiful, as always. It never gets old. We stopped at the East Entrance station for the passport stamp, and at the Wilderness Permit in Tuolumne Meadows, the only building open at this time. When I checked on campsites a couple of months ago there were none available in the park. I reserved at Diamond O, where we have stayed before and thought it was very nice. It is just outside of the Big Oak Flat Entrance station for Yosemite. Luckily it escaped with only minor damage from the large fire last fall. Our experience has been that many of the NPS campsites are a bit worn out and not well designed. The USFS sites seem to be larger and more private. After getting to camp my husband drove a short distance from camp to Hetch Hetchy for their passport stamp.
The only down side to today was we had our first insects on the trip - Mosquitos! Small, but persistent. Long sleeves, pants and a bit of bug spray.
Snow plant at campsite
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Wednesday, May 28
Start & Finish: Diamond O campground
We drove down to Yosemite Valley, about an hour's drive from the campground. We drove to the large parking lot and walked to the main village from there. I mailed postcards at the Post Office and requested the 'pretty cancellation', a pictorial cancellation. Upon request they have a large cancellation with graphic design of Half Dome with the changeable date. It is worth the trip to the window.
While at the main visitor center they announced that they would be showing the park film in 5 minutes. This year is a special year for Yosemite NP, and the NPS. 150 years ago on June 30, 1864 (during the Civil War) President Lincoln and Congress set aside part of Yosemite Vally to be protected in a natural state. It initially was managed by the state of California, then the US Army in 1890 provided protection. Although Yellowstone NP is considered the first national park, Yosemite was the first to be given public protection. The National Park Service was established in 1916, the centennial to be celebrated in two more years. This film was written and produced by Ken Burns and lasts 25 minutes. It was excellent and I highly recommend that anyone visiting Yosemite check at the visitor center for the schedule. The scenery is spectacular and the historical background is fascinating.
I walked up the valley to get a couple of photos of Yosemite Falls. They anticipate it will dry up earlier than usual, but it was flowing nicely today. It has been a while since we have been in the valley and seen Yosemite Falls flowing. I forgot how visible it is from all over the valley.
Yosemite Falls - 3 views
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We boarded the shuttle to Happy Isles Nature Center and to walk up along the Merced River. Once again the park is FULL, as seen in the photo below. Can only imagine what it will be like in July.
Shuttle Bus at 1 PM
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Another quiet afternoon at camp, much less crowded and cooler than on the valley floor. We travel with a small hummingbird feeder that we put up in camp when we arrive. We had several when we camped outside of Flagstaff, but nothing else along the way. Today we had a female Anna's coming to the feeder.
Hummingbird at feeder
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Thursday, May 29
Start: Diamond O campsite
Finish: Placerville, CA
We left camp and headed west on CA 120 until we turned north onto CA 49. About 20 years ago we traveled the length to CA 49 from Oakhurst, north to Vinton. This highway is named for the '49ers, the miners who took part in the California Gold Rush of 1849. The history along the way, and scenery made it a wonderful trip. It took us a better part of week to stop and explore along the way. What I remember most of that trip was the progression from placer mining to hard rock mining for gold.
Our son and his family now live in Placerville, which is about mid-point of the highway. Leaving Yosemite and heading to their house we find ourselves along 49. There are too many stops to mention, today we went off the current route and went into Mokelumne Hill. There are several galleries, an old hotel with a saloon, library and post office. The porch of the library has an open-air, 24/7 used book sale. Inside the library, limited hours, there is a wonderful photographic display of the 1906 Earthquake. A local school teacher, the day after the event, took photos. The quality of the photos is wonderful. There is a delightful picnic area next to the library. While wandering around town I found a very active hummingbird feeder.
Mokelumne Hill - off Highway 49, S of Jackson
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Hummingbirds at feeder
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Further up the road we stopped in Jackson for lunch and to look through some of the antique stores in the old section of town. Across from the public parking lot on CA 49 a roadside mural was in the making.
Jackson mural - in progress
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Used bookstores are a favorite of ours to check out. Hein & Company at the north end of old town is a treasure! The quality of books, and music, as well as the displays are well worth a stop. The are open seven days a week.
Jackson bookstore - Hein & Company
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We'll be hanging out in Placerville until next Tuesday.
Passport Stamps
Yosemite National Park
-Tioga Pass
-Tuolumne Meadows
150th Anniversary of Grant Act
Big Oak Flat
Yosemite Valley
California
Happy Isles Nature Center
Hetch Hetchy, CA
Bonus
Yosemite NP - Half Dome image
Collectible Tokens
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Falls
Tuolumne Meadows
Half Dome
Mariposa Grove
Tunnel View
Smashed Pennies
-Several sets available in the valley(previously collected)
Letterboxes
Tuesday - 2
Wednesday - none
Thursday - none
Wildlife Sightings
Chipmunk
Squirrel
Ground squirrel
Mule Deer
American Crow
American Robin
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Bushtit
White-headed Woodpecker
Hermit Warbler
Cliff Swallow
Bonaparte's Gull
Mourning Dove
American Kestrel
Mountain Chickadee
Black-headed Grosbeak
Steller's Jay
Dark-eyed Junco
Anna's Hummingbird
Wild Turkey
Red-winged Blackbird
Collectible Tokens & Thanks!
I have been listing the Collectible Tokens my husband is collecting from National Parks. This brief post is to show what they look like.
Last time we were at Yosemite, September 2013, they were in the process of designing and ordering them. We were surprised to find rectangular ones today. Below I have photos of the ones we got at Yosemite today. The standards ones are circular that the other parks are offering. At 99 cents it is a great collectible for kids of all ages.
Yosemite Tokens
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Zion Tokens
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P.S. - thanks for all of the "views" and kind comments. It does take a bit of time and work, especially to upload photos and create links, but I am enjoying sharing our adventures.
N California to S Oregon - Rivers!
Three Days - Three Nights - Three Rivers
Tuesday, June 3
Start: Placerville, CA
Finish: Steel Bridge campground (BLM), Douglas City, CA
A fun, four day visit with the family, but time to head north. Spent some time in Placerville shopping for groceries and supplies before heading west on US 50, then north on I-5 at Sacramento.
At Redding we turned west in CA 299. A short distance down the road we came to Shasta, a state historic site. We continued to the NPS visitor center for Whiskeytown - Shasta NRA. We continued west over the very scenic 299, stopping just east of Douglas City. The campground was 2-1/2 miles off the highway, along the Trinity River. No drinking water, but great campsites. A wheelbarrow of wood was $5. A bit too warm for a fire, but other campers enjoyed the wood.
Shasta Historic site
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Wednesday, June 4
Start: Douglas City, CA
Finish: Panther Flat campground (USFS), east of Gasquet, CA
Drove into Weavervile for a 'roadie' breakfast at Sawmill Grill, east side of town. Yum!
Roadie breakfast
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Continued following the Trinity Highway, CA 299 all the way to the coast. Beautiful drive, highly recommend the drive to get from inland CA to the coast. A bit curvy, and slow in some places, but well worth the effort. We stopped for some postmarks and letterboxes along the way.
Once at US 101 we immediately felt a change in temperature - from mid-80s when we left Weaverville at 9:30 AM to 61 degrees at 1:00 PM. There also some costal fog on and off of Hwy 101. Our first stop was at the Redwoods National and State Parks visitor center near Orick. I picked up the Junior Ranger booklet, as well as the passport stamp for this site. We continued along 101 and before we arrived at the state-run visitor center at Elk Prairie we pulled off to view the herd of elk at Elk Meadows.
Elk herd
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We drove the scenic section of old 101 from Elk Prairie back to modern 101 and into Crescent a City to stop at the park information office in town and then over to the post office for a postal cancellation of an envelope that also has the Redwoods passport cancellation. North of Crescent City we turned NE on CA 199, a continuation of the Redwoods Highway. A stop at Jedediah Smith State Park and the national park visitor center across the road at Hiochi finished our sightseeing for the day - almost. We continued up 199 to Gasquet to a favorite USFS campground, Panther Flat. Shortly after leaving Hiochi you enter the Smith River National Recreation Area. Another gorgeous river.
Smith River
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After dinner we went down to the picnic area at the campground to check on a letterbox my husband had planted in 2005. It had been reported to be missing, fortunately we were able to find it easily. Lots of finders and great comments about the location along the Smith River.
Wednesday, June 5
Start: Gasquet, CA
End: Farewell Bend campground, (USFS) north of Prospect, OR
Another beautiful day of driving the back roads of California and Oregon. We drove back to Hiouchi so I could turn in my completed Junior Ranger Activity Booklet. Ranger Adam was very generous, not only did I receive the Redwoods National Park Junior Ranger badge, but he also gave me a very nice metal 'sheriff-style' state park Junior Ranger pin and the patch for California State Park Junior Ranger. I appreciate that he took time to review my booklet and discuss several items of interest.
We continued into Oregon on Hwy 199. At Cave Junction we stopped at the local visitor center, they have a slightly different passport stamp for Oregon Caves National Monument. We drove up to the caves, a very scenic and curvy road that climbs 2000 feet in the 19 miles. Once at the caves we walked around the buildings, beautiful craftsmanship. The tours were sold out, several large school groups finishing up their school year this week. There was a smashed penny machine in the chateau gift shop. For others planning on take the cave tour it is 90 minutes long, with a number of metal stair steps. Children must be a certain height and the have a set of stairs at the visitor center which may be used to determine if you are physically able to negotiate the stairs.
Oregon Caves NM buildings
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We stopped in Grants Pass for gas and groceries then south on I-5 to Gold Hill where we picked up OR 234, then OR 62 to bring us to Farewell Bend campground, directly on the banks of the Rogue River, our 3rd night in a row camping along a spectacular river. Being Desert Rats we really enjoy these clear, fast-running rivers on our travels.
Friday, June 6
Start: Farewell Bend campground
Finish: LaPine State Park, La Pine, OR
Wonderful night spent along the Rogue River. Drove into Crater Lake National Park from the south end. We avoided camping there because of the Mosquitos that overran the campground two years ago during the snow melt. As we rolled down the window at the entrance kiosk we were overrun by Mosquitos - again! We stopped at the visitor center below the rim for passport stamps, collectible tokens, the park film and to pick up the Junior Ranger activity booklet. Once up on the rim we hung out in the cafe while I worked on the Junior Ranger booklet. After a few photo shots of Crater Lake - hard to take just one picture, we continued out of the park to the NE. We headed north on US 97, very busy section of highway, and ended the day at LaPine State Park. We are meeting up with a group of letterboxers for a weekend gathering. This is our 3rd visit with this group, some known and soon-to-be known friends.the weather is wonderful - upper 70s and clear skies!
Crater Lake National Park
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Passport Stamps
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - Visitor Center
Redwood National and State Park
- Orick
Crescent City
Hiouchi
Oregon Caves NM - Crater Lake, OR
Crater Lake National Park - Crater Lake, OR
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - CA, OR, WA
Letterboxes
Tuesday - none
Wednesday - 4
Thursday - none
Collectible Tokens
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area - 1
Redwoods National and State Parks - Coast Redwoods
Crater Lake National Park - 2
Smashed Pennies
Oregon Caves NM
*others available along our route! but previously collected.
Wildlife Sightings
Elk
White-tailed Deer
Ground squirrel
Chipmunk
Scrub Jay
Turkey Vulture
Great Egret
Red-tailed Hawk
Barn Swallow
Tri-colored Blackbird
Mourning Dove
American Crow
Yellow-billed Magpie
American Robin
Steller's Jay
Mountain Bluebird
Clark's Nutcracker
Wallowa Mtns, Hells Canyon & John Day Fossil Beds NM - 6/16-19
Eastern Oregon - 6/16-19
Monday, June 16
Start: Pendleton, OR
Finish: Copperfield County campground, Oxbow, OR
We had breakfast at the casino before leaving the RV/parking area which worked well for camping. Heading east on I-84 we climbed up over the Blue Mountains to La Grande, OR. We had always wanted to visit Enterprise, OR. First because of some beer we had there several years ago, when I saw how remote the town was it became a destination for us. At the Letterboxing gathering some mentioned how spectacular the scenery was in the area, so with an open agenda for the next several weeks we decided to check it out. Unfortunately a cold spell has covered Oregon this week.
As we headed up the Oregon Scenic Byway, OR 82 - Hell's Canyon, the weather got worse and worse - overcast turned into rain. By the time we arrived in Enterprise it was cold- 50 degrees and windy! We stopped at Terminal Gravity Brewpub for lunch. Excellent IPA and even better fresh Ahi tuna steak sandwich. We had planned to spend a couple of days in the area, but the weather was not pleasant for camping and hiking. We also learned that the Scenic Byway road through Hell's Canyon and the down to the Snake River would close Tuesday AM until Thursday PM for construction. So we drove on and up into a snow storm along FS39, a nicely paved road. Yes, snow on June 16!
Terminal Gravity Brewery
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Before leaving the area we drove up to Joseph and Wallowa Lake, we'll definitely come back and visit! Between Joseph and the lake is the burial site for Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe. The Nez Perce National Historical Park has numerous sites over several states to interpret the events from June through October 1877. This site has no visitor services, therefore no passport stamp.
Chief Joseph Cemetery
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Wallowa Mountains - June!
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We made a stop at Hells Canyon Overlook, part of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (USFS) - very cold and windy at 6,000 feet. At least I was able to collect a few roadside flowers for my console bouquet - something I look forward to every summer as we drive through areas with beautiful wildflowers.
Snow along the drive
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Hells Canyon Overlook
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Flower bouquet
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The Copperfield County Park, near Oxbow Dam, along the Snake River was a pleasant surprise. For only $14($2 discount for 60 or older) the sites had electric and water. This is one of several campgrounds developed and managed by Idaho Power. Lots of shade, not needed today, but usually much appreciated. Excellent sleeping - no trains, highway noises or rain, just a few early fisherman leaving camp in the AM.
Tuesday, June 17
Start: Oxbow, OR
Finish: Union Creek Campground (USFS), 20 miles W of Baker City, OR on OR7
After a great night's sleep and a sunny morning sky we took our time in camp. Enjoyed their excellent shower facility, which I plan to write up on my Road Showers blog. We left around 11 AM and drove 23 miles north along the Snake River to the Hells Canyon Creek Visitor a Center, just past the Hell's Canyon dam. Almost as soon as we started driving it started raining, off and on all along the drive. Beautifully paved road, 2 lanes with nice shoulders and great views. We fixed lunch back at the day use area of the campground, the temperature was definitely cooler than when we left in the AM.
Visitor Center
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Snake River, N of Visitor Center
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Once back at Oxbow we headed west on OR 86 to Baker City. It continued to rain off and on, but no snow today. Made a stop at the National Historic Oregon Trail Center outside of a Baker City, OR. Highly recommend spending time at this site, one of the better centers along the trail.
The weather up ahead of us looked frightful! Dark clouds covering the mountains heading west. We forged on and stopped at Union Creek campground, along OR 7. This USFS site has full and elec/water hookups! We have a small electric heater that works well in the van. No rain when we arrived, but within an hour it started to rain. We also have a microwave - so Gourmet Dinty Moore for dinner. What makes it gourmet? Served over couscous and a splash of red wine!
Wednesday, June 18
Start: Union Creek campground, OR 7
Finish: Lone Pine Recreation Site (BLM), E of Kimberly, OR
Persistent rain most of the evening, not too loud, just a light drizzle on the roof of the van. With hookups I was able to heat water for coffee and tea to go along with an energy bar. Drove along OR 7 with rain at the beginning, then let up, but cloud cover stayed socked in until late morning. This route was following the Oregon Scenic Byway titled, Journey Through Time. The changes in elevation and scenery were beautiful. A great backcountry drive that eventually hooked up with US 26.
Oregon Scenic Byway - Journey Through Time
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As we drove across Dixie Pass, at 5279 ft, the view of the Strawberry Range with fresh snow from this week's inclement weather was pretty. Saw two sets of mule deer, mom and 2 fawns along the roadside. Stopped at multi-agency federal office; BLM, USFS & NPS offices in John Day for a variety of stamps. In Dayville stopped for city sign, pictured below and got a picture on an Osprey on pole. Had seen quite a few Osprey today as we followed the Powder, then the John Day Rivers.
Doe & Fawns
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Strawberry Range
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Dayville sign
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Osprey
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Along US 26 and west of Dayville you enter John Day Fossil Beds National Monument through a canyon cut by the Joh Day River. Just past that you turn off the highway to the visitor center and Gant Ranch. This is a repeat visit, but a chance for me to work on the Junior Ranger award. I was very pleased to see the booklet is titled Junior and Senior Ranger! The activities were challenging, even for a Senior Ranger, however you still receive the standard plastic Junior Ranger badge. We spent several hours at the Sheep Rock unit while I worked on the booklet. Ranger Michelle was very thorough in checking my booklet and enthusiastic in reciting the pledge. This is the first time I was offered an official,ranger hat to wear while reciting the Junior -Senior Ranger oath.
Ranger oath
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We continued north along the highway, towards Kimberly, with a stop at the Blue Basin picnic area to hike the short Islands in Time interpretative trail. Happily the sun was out and very comfortable to be out and about - finally!
Along Islands in Time Trail
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At Kimberly we found nothing, except a post office. A short distance to the east we camped at Lone Pine campground; five sites, along the John Day River with a vault toilet. The birding was rewarding. Four of sites taken by the evening.
Thursday, June 19
Wonderful evening and morning at the campground. Went back to Kimberly for the postal cancellation on an envelope with the John Day Fossil Beds passport stamp.
Campsite overview
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We continued along the Journey Through Time, Oregon Scenic Byway along OR 19. This part of the route followed the John Day River, very scenic. We eventually ended up at Fossil, OR. Based a number of towns we had passed through, and how remote the area was, we expected very little in terms of services. Wow, not true at all! There was even a Chevrolet dealership.
Fossil Mercantile
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After another postal cancellation, this one also for John Day Fossil Beds, but for the Clarno unit. This is one of three units and the only one we had not previously visited. This area is known for the diverse plant fossils found. Once there, over a very windy, but fun road there is not much available. Mainly it is a roadside rest with some interpretive signs.
Clarno unit
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From Clarno we crossed the John Day River a final time before heading back to Central Oregon. North of Madras we picked up US 97 and took it south to Redmond. A stop in town at the local library to print out some papers, get gas and groceries. We then took OR 126 to Sisters where we camped for the night at Cold Springs campground.
The weather and lack of planning had slowed down our Letterboxing. When we re-route ourselves, as we did this week, we haven't printed out clues for Letterboxes along the way. That isn't usually a problem because we can easily get clues via a smartphone. However, the areas we had been traveling through were so remote, most of the time, there was so little connectivity that you could barely send a text or No Service. And rain and cold don't deter many, but we are Desert Rats! This campground had several boxes in the area so we enjoyed a nice afternoon to find some boxes. While out on a trail we found the window pictured below.
Window rock - Oregon
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Passport Stamps
Oregon National Historic Trail - Baker City, OR
John Day Fossil Beds NM
Sheep Rock Unit, OR
Painted Hills Unit, OR
Clarno Unit, OR
Bonus
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
-Wallowa Valley Ranger District
Hells Canyon NRA
National Historic Oregon Trail Center at Flagstaff Hill
USDA Forest Service - Malheur National Forest
Monument Rock Wilderness
Strawberry Mountains Wilderness
Smashed Pennies
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center - 4
Letterboxes
Monday - 4
Tuesday - none
Wednesday - 1
Thursday - 3
Wildlife Sightings
Mule Deer- including 2 sets of fawn twins
Elk
Ground Squirrel
Pine Squirrel
Lizard
American Crow
American Robin
Downy Woodpecker
Red-tailed Hawk
Turkey Vulture
Brewer's Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird
Mourning Dove
House Sparrow
Canada Goose
Osprey
Yellow Warbler
Bank Swallow
Canyon Wren
Black-headed Grosbeak
Cedar Waxwing
Dusky Flycatcher
Black-billed Magpie
Killdeer
Wild Turkey
Canyon Wren
Western Meadowlark
California Quail
Western Tanager
Oregon moves up the list.
I too am enjoying the report and photos. Oregon is one of many possible destination options for our next trip and I think you just pushed it a little higher up the list.
Dave.
Take me to the Oregon Coast!
Friday, June 20
Start: Sisters, OR
Finish: Sutton campground (USFS), Florence, OR
Left Sisters heading west on OR 126 towards Eugene. This is another beautiful drive across Oregon, especially when it drops down and follows the McKenzie River. In Eugene we stopped at a Trader Joe's and then REI. At REI we made a purchase of a good jacket which was on sale and no sales tax in Oregon! On another trip up here we knew we needed a new transmission on our van, we waited till we got here to save several hundred dollars because of no sales tax.
We continued on OR 126 to the coast at Florence, OR. After getting a campsite at Sutton Beach we drove back down the coast to Reedsport to the Oregon Dunes NRA Visitor Center.
This brings up another Oregon story. A few years ago while camping at a USFS campground in Oregon Dunes we had a run-in with the federal forest service law enforcement. They came into our campsite, with hands at waist, on guns, and informed us our front license plate did not match the registration information they had run. We were backed into the campsite. They were on the lookout for a white van, like always! We showed them our back plate and told them AZ does not have a front plate (we have a commercial Route 66 plate on the front). They then accused us of fraud, as in Oregon the plates must match. We assured them if they ran our back plate we would be legal. We later found out they had stopped at the camp host to see what kind of people we were. All he could tell the is we were interested in the hummingbirds in the area.
Lots of wind along the coast, but our campsite was sculpted out of the dense forest so we were protected, for the most part.
Saturday, June 21
Start & Finish: Florence, OR
For the longest day of the year we managed to sleep until 8:30 AM. I think this campground gets the 'quietest' award! After breakfast we started on a letterbox quest of the area. Managed to find 6 of 7 boxes. Also did some antiquing. Found a postmark for Clinton, CA ( Lassen County), dated 1913. Post Office closed in 1915.
Sutton Beach view
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One of the letterboxes was placed to commemorate the explosion of a beached dead whale. It was recorded by a TV crew and has now been added to You Tube - watch at your own discretion. Just searching You Tube 'exploding whale, Oregon 1970'.
View of beach - today
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Another letterbox took us near the botanical site for this unique plant which Oregon has done an excellent job of protecting. The bog was full of the plant, some with stalks ready to flower. Orchid-type pitcher plant found from sea level up to 6000 ft.
Darlingtonia California
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Picked up some fresh Chinook salmon which we grilled back at camp and finished with some local strawberries - Yum!
Passport Stamps
Bonus
-Oregon Dunes (USFS)
Smashed Pennies
Florence, OR
-Mo's Restaurant
-Wind Drift Gallery
Letterboxes
Friday - 2
Saturday - 6
Wildlife Sightings
Pine Squirrel
Gray Squirrel
Chipmunk
Ground Squirrel
Turkey Vulture
American Crow
American Robin
Seagull, ?
Double-crested Cormorant
Yellow Warbler
Weekly Stats - June 15 - 21
Miles: 1113
Weekly expense: $470.58
*groceries are included in meals
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Return to Wallowa Mtns - in the future
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mark Sedenquist
The Wallowa Mountains area has long been one of my favorite places in the west.
We are hoping to return and spend more time here, maybe later in the season!
Oregon Bound - good choice!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Southwest Dave
Oregon is one of many possible destination options for our next trip and I think you just pushed it a little higher up the list.
Good choice - Oregon has soooo much to offer. We keep coming back!
Oregon Coast: Florence to Yachats - 6/22-24
Sunday, June 22
Start & Finish: Florence, OR
We spent most of the day around Heceta Head, N of Florence on US 101. Our first order of business was a shower at Carl Washburne State Park. We discovered on this trip that all of Oregon State Park let day visitors use the campground showers for $2. And so far all of the campgrounds do not have a day entry fee. The price is posted with the other camping fees and you fill out a self-pay envelope, just as you would for camping. The showers are untied with plenty of hot water.
We spent the remainder of the day in and around Heceta Head, along US 101, N of Florence. While wandering along the Oregon Coast hiking trail we found 10 letterboxes. It was a gorgeous day, sunny skies and very little wind until late afternoon. It finally broke 70 degrees! This area includes the Heceta Head Lighthouse. Tours are available. From the state park parking lot, $5 day use fee, it is a 1/2 mile walk up to the lighthouse. Along US 101 is a free parking area (small and on the east side of the highway) with a signed trail to the lighthouse, 1-1/2 miles. The ocean views from this area are gorgeous.
Heceta Head ocean views
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Heceta Head Lighthouse
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Cape Creek Bridge - US 101
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Monday, June 23
Start: Florence, OR
Finish: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area, S of Yachats, OR
Went back into Florence for breakfast, groceries, gas and one more letterbox before heading N on US 101. Another stop stop at Heceta Head area for another try, this time successful for a missed box yesterday.
Big day on the road - Not! Drove about 15 miles to Cape Perpetua Scenic Area (USFS), a spectacular area along the coast. Besides a Visitor center with films, displays and a gift shop there are numerous trails to the beach and into the Forest. Several times we have planned to camp here, but it was either full, weather was miserable or timing was wrong, so this time I was determined to make it work. Not a problem today; sites available, good weather and timing was good.
Cape Perpetua campground sign
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After lunch and setting up camp we went back up to the visitor center for me to work on the Junior Ranger booklet. We also went out and found a few more boxes along the coast and up in the woods. Back to camp early to check out the critters. Looks like a female hummingbird found our feeder while we were gone.
An evening walk back to the beach found a large banana slug in the grass. The photo below shows it in scale to a car key. The beach area was deserted except for a few croaking frogs.
Banana Slug
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Evening beach view
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Tuesday, June 24
Start & Finish: Cape Perpetua Scenic Area
Another very quiet campground. We started the day with a hike in the Cummins Creek Wilderness, just south of Cape Perpetua. Nice road up to trailhead and no one around. We spent about 1-1/2 hours hiking along a very nice trail. Even though it was climbing in elevation the trail was smooth, no rocks or steps up or down. Hiking in the Sonoran Desert is tough, especially in and around the Sky Islands.
Trail in Cummins Creek Wilderness
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Foxgloves
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Went into Yachats (ya-hots) for a tasty lunch and then Letterboxing afterwards. The best find of the day was late in the afternoon at Vanilla Bean, a coffee house on the north side of town. The views all day long were pretty and the weather was perfect! Even saw some people in the water.
Ocean scene
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Rock art or bored vacationers?
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Beach flowers
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Passport stamps
Bonus
- Heceta Head Lighthouse
Smashed Pennies
Sea Lion Caves- N of Florence
Letterboxes
Sunday - 10
Monday - 5
Tuesday - 7
Wildlife Sightings
Townsend's Chipmunk
Gopher - as evident by grass and dirt moving on top of a burrow in campsite
Turkey Vulture
American Robin
American Crow
Hermit Thrush
Rufous Hummingbird
Steller's Jay
Western Seagull
Band-tailed Pigeon
Brandt's Cormorant
Yellow Warbler
Pacific Wren
Wilson's Warbler
Mt. Rainer - spectacular weather!
Thursday, July 3
Start: Randle, WA
Finish: Ohanapecosh Campground (NPS), Mt. Rainer NP
We are in Barred Owl country! The past two nights we have been 'serenaded'. The vocalization reminds me of an irritated monkey. A bit disconcerting, at first, when you are sound asleep. We don't have them in AZ, so it is a treat for us.
The heavy forest cover made for great sleeping, until 9 AM. We went back to Randle then east on US 12 into Packwood. A stop for ice and coffee before heading into Mount Rainer National Park. We went into Ohanapecosh to set up camp. In February, when I made the reservation, there were only tent sites available. We sleep in our van, but can park most anywhere. Technically our site is a 'walk-in', but not exactly. Turns out we'll be sleeping with the Ohanapecosh River flowing alongside and behind us! Our table and campsite is across the road, but no further than some regular site. Will work fine for 2 nights.
Camp view- Ohanapecosh
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We drove up the east edge of the park to Sunrise, 6400 ft and the closest you can get to Mt. Rainer. It was gorgeous up there. The visitor center had just opened today. I was the first to ask for their Citizen Ranger program, an adult- oriented Junior Ranger program. It took well over an hour to make drawing and observations of trees, birds, peaks and rocks. I have to do the activities at 3 other sites in the park to earn the badge.
Mt. Rainer - view at Sunrise
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Glacier Lily
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Friday, July 4
Start & Finish: Ohanapecosh Campground, Mt. Rainer NP
Full campground, but quiet start to the morning. Worked on the Junior Ranger booklet and finished the Ohanapecosh Citizen Ranger Quest for this location. Time for showers, had to go back into Packwood to a private RV park, no shower facilities within the park. While driving there saw an elk grazing and a Bald Eagle flying over the highway.
The big event of the day was connecting the Varied Thrush song to the squeaky noise we had heard the other day. While at Iron Creek we heard this persistent loud squeaking, at first we thought it was an RV trailer hitch making sharp turns causing a creaking, squeaking noise. After a while we realized it was probably a bird, but we could not figure out which one. Today we saw the bird closely and when we played the vocalization from iBird we had a match!
Western Tanager
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Saturday, July 5
Start: Ohanapecosh campground
Finish: Cougar Rock campground (NPS), Mt. Rainer NP
Another fun, weather-perfect day in Mt. Rainer NP. We left Ohanapecosh and drove west across the main park road. Along the way we stopped at the Box Canyon of the Cowlitz River. An amazing gorge, 115-180 straight down! There is a short 0.5 mile loop that takes you close to evidence of glaciation, grooves in the rock and a bridge to look down into the gorge. There is water rushing through the gorge, it appears to only be a few feet across.
We drove up to Paradise and were able to get a parking place in the lower parking area at 11:30 AM. The upper lot was full and when we left around 2 PM cars were pouring into the area. While there I was able to complete the Junior Ranger booklet and receive the badge. I also completed a third segment of the four-part Citizen Ranger program. Unlike Sunrise and Ohanapecosh I had a choice of activities to select at Paradise. I chose the Wildflower Quest. Thanks to some excellent signage along the walkways and a natural history handout I found this quest relatively easy. We had lunch at the snack bar, not cheap, but a nice break from lunch meat.
Flowers at Paradise - Avalanche Lily
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Mt. Rainer from Paradise - Nisqually Glacier
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We continued west through the park and stopped at Cougar Rock campground where we had reservations for the next 2 nights. Another busy night in the campground, a bit noisy into the evening.
Sunday, July 6
Start & Finish: Cougar Rock Campground
Blue Skies! 80 degrees forecast!
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Another gorgeous day at Mt. Rainer. Even the park rangers were surprised, and pleased with this persistent good weather. We drove down to Longmire. At the Visitor Center I worked on my final quest, Longmire also has several from which to chose. I picked one that sent me on a scavenger hunt, Longmire Amazing Adventures. The park has done a. Rey nice job in designing an adult activity. You could do a couple a day and finish it during a 2 day visit. With each clue I would find the answer, return to get a new clue. We had plenty of time so it was fun exploring this relatively quiet section of the park. Besides the museum, which is the visitor center, there is a Wilderness Center with displays and the National Park Inn which has 25 rooms, a restaurant and store. Much less activity than Paradise!
Mt. Rainer form Longmire
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Citizen Ranger Patch
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After completing and receiving a very nice patch for the Citizen Ranger program we drove a short distance west and then north up Westside Road. I highly recommend this side trip. There is a good 2-lane gravel/ paved road that ends in 3 miles, any small car or RV can make the trip, however there is no easy turn around. It took about 4 points to turn around our Chevy Express van. After parking you continue up a very short distance on the roadbed to see several spectacular waterfalls to the west. The light was not good for pictures, morning would be a better time to visit for pictures.
Waterfalls along Westside Road
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Mt. Rainer - Tahoma Glacier
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Back to a very quiet campground! Enjoyed waiting for the birds to come to us.
Monday, July 7
Start: Cougar Rock campground
Finish: Karanskat-Palmer State Park, WA, N of Enumclaw.
Left Mount Rainer NP by the SE entrance and stopped east of Ashford at the Copper Creek Inn for a very tasty breakfast. I got their house specialty of 2 small cinnamon rolls and my husband shared his very large Denver scramble which included hash brown potatoes, homemade bread with raspberry butter and jam. We stopped at the park headquarters for their unique passport stamp, Tahoma Woods.
As we left the park it was sunny and clear, as we headed west the coastal AM clouds blocked out the sun. Our next goal was to go to the Carbon River entrance to Mt. Rainer, the NW corner of the park. We took a series of back roads through small towns to get there. The town closest, Wilkeson, had an old-style stone arch at the town entrance and a number of historic buildings. It advertised Handcar Races the end of July. All of this area is dominated by lumbering, including railroads. The drive up to the ranger station, along and over the Carbon River was pretty. At the end of the road you can walk into the park several miles on an old roadbed. This appears to be a popular backcountry hiking entry point.
We made our way to Enumclaw and finally to Kanaskat-Palmer State Park to camp for the evening. The weather continues to be magnificent. By mid-afternoon the clouds had burned away and there was full sun, about 80 degrees. Tomorrow begins a whole new phase of the trip - see below.
Weekly Stats - 9 days (6/29-7/7)
Miles: 665
Expenses: $469.98
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Preview:
I'll be offline for the next 2 weeks. Wed., 7/9 we fly to Anchorage to cruise from Whittier to Vancouver, BC. Then we will be attending the annual meeting of the National Park Traveler's Club in Seattle. We will resume our roadtrip on Sunday, July 20.
Passport Stamps
Mount Rainer National Park
- White River
Sunrise, WA
Ohanapecosh, WA
Paradise, WA
Longmire, WA
Tacoma Woods, WA
Carbon River, WA
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail - CA, OR, WA
Bonus
-boot imprint at White River Wilderness Office
Collectible Tokens
Mt. Rainer NP - 2
Letterboxes
Sunday -1
Monday - 1
Wildlife sightings
Pine Squirrel
Chipmunk
Ground squirrels
Elk
Black-tailed Deer
Barred Owl - sound only
Common Raven
Dark-eyed Junco
Steller's Jay
Clark's Nutcracker
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
Mountain Bluebird
American Bald Eagle
Varied Thrush
Western Tanager
Downey Woodpecker
Gray Jay
Red-breasted Sapsucker
Back on the road -finally! Olympic National Park
Sunday, July 20
Start: SeaTac, WA
Finish: Fort Ebey SP, Coupeville, WA
Finally back on the road! It was an interesting 2 weeks, just glad to be out on our own exploring the country. We left our fancy hotel across from SeaTac airport and headed north to Mulikteo to take the ferry to Whidbey Island. We love the Washington State Ferry system; cost effective and efficient!
Once on Whidbey we stopped at Fort Casey State Park for a couple of passport and bonus stamps. The lighthouse acts as an interpretative center and has great displays. Washington and Oregon both have an annual state parks pass that costs $30 and can be shared by 2 cars, at different times. We were loaned one while in Oregon. In Oregon we would have spent $15 on state park fees. Most waysides along the coast are free and if you are camping the daily fee is not charged. However in Washington we should have bought the pass, we have in the past and then given it to a resident as we left the state. Each state park charges a $10 daily fee. We've paid it twice and hopefully will not want to enter a state park by the time we leave the state mid-week. We'll see.
We found camping at Fort Ebey SP, near Coupeville. The town area is very quaint with a number of business along a couple of blocks facing the water. After visiting the museum we drove out to the main site for Ebey's Landing NHP, Jacob Ebey's house. You park near the town cemetery and walk 0.3 mile to a structure he built in 1859. He was in his 60s, had fought in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War, he then led a group of settlers cross country to settle this area. The Preserve highlights this rural farming community.
We very much enjoyed an evening in camp fixing a simple dinner and enjoying our campsite! Low 60s, overcast, no rain.
Monday, July 21
Start: Coupeville, WA
Finish: Altira campground in Olympic NP, SW of Port Angeles, WA
Nice quiet evening, much quieter than any motel we stayed in before or after the cruise. I have to admit the rooms were very quiet on the cruise ship, no noise from the halls or above or adjoining walls.
Enjoyed our morning routine in camp, on the road by 10 AM. Took the WA State Ferry from Coupeville to Port Townsend. Reservations are recommended, but were not needed Monday AM. Great price at $15, they give a senior discount for over 65. Very congested and slow going on the Olympic Peninsula - WA 20 West and US 101 South into Port Angeles. Quick stop to top off at Costco in Sequim, 20 cents less than any other station. No bagged ice at this location.
On the ferry
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First stop in Olympic National Park was the main visitor center in Port Angeles for park newspaper, tokens, Junior Ranger booklet and passport stamps. Continued into the park up to Hurricane Ridge, an easy, uphill windy 17 mile road. The road is well-designed and without rushing took about 1/2 hour. At the beginning it did not look like we would see anything at the top because of cloud cover, but we drove through the clouds and had beautiful views.
Hurricane Ridge
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Blue Glacier on Mt. Olympus
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Back down, part way, to a road across the park to another section, Elwah Valley. This was a new area for us. We drove up to the end to camp at Altira campground. Only 31 sites and half-full at 4 PM. As I write this at 7:30 PM the campground has just filled. The sites are along the Elwah river. This is a river that is being returned to it's natural state; one dam has been removed and another is in the process of being deconstructed. Almost immediately a return of salmon up the river was noted. We are back in alpine glacier country, as evidenced by the glacial silt in the river that gives it that unique blue-green color. Great evening in camp, perfect temperature, mid-60s and clear.
Elwah River
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Tuesday, July 22
Start: Elwah, WA
Finish: Falls Creek campground (USFS), Quinault, WA
Another day exploring Olympic National Park. This is our third visit to the park and have either spent time in the Port Angeles or Hoh Rain Forest area. After being cooped up the past 2 weeks we were ready to see some sites. (oK, we saw some great sites in Alaska along the cruise, but finding them on your own is better, for us.) The Eastern National passport stamp program has also greatly expanded in this park since our previous visits so we decided to visit some of the outlying areas. The weather was perfect. Back to US 101 S to the Lake Crescent area. The lodge on the lake has a stamp, what a beautiful, old lodge. The main room's interior is finished in a variety of woods, very inviting.
Lake Crescent
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Storm King Ranger cabin
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We continued around the park with a stop at Sol Duc Hot Springs. Again there was a stamp at the registration desk. The hot springs have been diverted into several modern pools open to guests and the public. There were numerous cabins for rent, as well as a private and NPS campground. The drive up and back to 101 was along another pretty river.
Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort
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Sol Duc cabins
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Back to 101 and then way off the beaten path out to Ozette Lake. The drive out takes you through Clallam Bay, along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Across the straityou could see Vancouver Island. Once at Ozette Lake we had a picnic lunch and watched several groups of backpackers finish and begin hiking the Coastal Trail. To get out to the coast from there it was a 3 miles walk along a boardwalk. As the ranger station was closed, as several have been due to limited funds, my husband left a SASE requesting that a passport stamp with today's date be mailed. He has fairly good success in getting them back when he does this.
Back to 101 and then over to Mora. This area was a delightful surprise. Well-staffed ranger station with friendly rangers. There is a great picnic area/parking lot right on the beach. The beach is piled us driftwood, some full-sized trees. The coastal view is beautiful; islands and picturesque rocks in the distance.
Mora coast
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On your way and back from Mora you drive by a small store which has some unique signs. If you are a Twilight fan it has meaning, if not it is a puzzle, why here?
Vampire warning
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We continued into Forks and found more Twilight connections. We also got an ice cream cone, smashed pennies and found a letterbox. All the things that make road trips fun for us!
Forks, WA business
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Continuing south on 101 we came back into a stretch of Olympic National Park that reminds me of the rugged Oregon coast, Kalaloch. A quick stop at their small visitor center for that passport stamp. We didn't stop, but the lodge there has smashed pennies.
We ended the day at another new location for us, along Lake Quinault. The north shore is in the park, the south shore where we were is Forest Service. We camped at a small campground, Falls Creek, which is easy walking distance to the Lake Quinault Lodge, Mercantile and USFS office. We enjoyed dinner at camp then walked to the lodge to enjoy a beer on the back patio, overlooking a large green lawn out to the lake. This is another old lodge that has been well-maintained. On our way back to camp we were able to locate 2 letterboxes. A great way to end the day.
Beer view @ Lake Quinault
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Wednesday, July 23 - our 35th Wedding Anniversary
Start: Quinault, WA
Finish: Roseburg, OR
We woke up to rain, as predicted. We had a hearty breakfast at the Quinault Mercantile. Their Tall Stack of pancakes is four, dinner-plate sized. As we were leaving the kids next to us were each getting their Tall Stack, it was discussed if this was going to be a community effort to complete.
We left the area and did not get the smashed pennies at the lodge, next visit. It rained steady and hard all the way down US 101, E on US 12, then S on I-5. Before reaching I-5 we got gas at a Shell Station on an Indian Reservation for $3.63, the cheapest we had or did see. Once on I-5 the rain got worse at times. We saw several bad accidents on the NB side with extensive back-ups of traffic. We lucked out and had no delays. We stopped in Ridgefield, WA going to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge for the Blue Goose stamps. We had hiked there several years ago and enjoyed the area, no hiking today. Lunch was also in Ridgefield, at Vinnie's Pizza - excellent calzone & meatball sub.
Back into the rain and crossing back into Oregon. South of Portland the rain finally started to let up. Near Corvallis we took another short trip off I-5 to drive through the William L. Finley NWR and stopped at their visitor center. Great area within the Willamette Valley. Saw a Northern Harrier swooping low over the fields.
Back to I-5 north of Eugene, stopping for the day in Roseburg. We have spent time here before. Enjoyed an anniversary dinner at Roseburg Station, another McMenamin's re-purposed building, an old train station. A big driving day for us, over 360 miles.
Passport Stamps
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve-Whidbey Island, WA
Olympic National Park
-Port Angeles, WA
-Hurricane Ridge
-WIC PA, WA
-Elwah Ranger Station
-Mora, WA
Eagle Ranger Station
Sol Duc
Kalaloch, WA
Lake Crescent
Ozette, WA
Quinault Rain Forest
Bonus
Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Ft. Casey, WA
Admiralty Head Lighthouse, Coupeville, WSU Island County Extension
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve - Passport 25th Anniversary
Olympic National Forest - Quinault, WA
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
Arthur Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Collectible Tokens
Olympic National Park -2
Letterboxing
Tuesday - 3
Wednesday - 1
Wildlife Sightings
Black-tailed Deer
Chipmunk
Pine Squirrel
American Bald Eagle
American Crow
Common Raven
American Robin
House Sparrow
Great Blue Heron
Pacific Wren
Red-shouldered Hawk
Dark-eyed Junco
Five-stripe sparrow
Rufous Hummingbird
Glaucous-winged Gull
Wilson's Warbler
Sooty Grouse
Turkey Vulture
Canada Goose
Northern Harrier
Belted Kingfisher
Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary!
Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary!
loving the photos and the descriptions.
Mark
