September 2009 Camping Trip - 2

Karen and I just returned from our second camping trip of September, one in which I got to celebrate my 54th Birthday! We traveled with our best friends Sandy & Dave, and took in more of what Oregon has to offer while camping at LaPine State Park just South of Bend, OR. We jokingly called this trip our "Naturally High" experience, since most of these beautiful sites were up around the 8000 ft. elevation level.

Since we traveled to different areas while staying at LaPine SP, I'll break the pictures into specific group areas we visited.

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LaPine State Park

One of the many local area visitors to our camp site


Our Full-Hookups site #18

Just fitting in between the trees


Sandy & Dave with Maggie... going for that morning walk

Of course... the best camping trips for Abby, are when we have any body of "water" available for her to play in. She lucked out on this trip, because she got to swim in the Deschutes River near our camp site several times during the day, or in one of the many lakes we visited (except for Crater Lake).

Here Abby is "patiently" waiting for us to walk faster to the river


The Deschutes River


Bringing back the stick...


Shaking the water off of her back

"Big Red"

The LaPine State Park is also host to one of Oregon's "Heritage Trees". "Big Red" as it's called, happens to be one of the largest Ponderosa Pine Tree's in the world. It was the tallest Pine tree until a recent wind storm broke off some of the top. It still holds the diameter ranking however, at 28 ft., 11 inches. It is estimated at over 500 years old as well.

Abby and I by "Big Red"


Another view of "Big Red"

Paulina & East Lake

A Panoramic picture of Paulina Lake (Left) and East Lake (Right), both separated by a lava flow over 1300 years ago. The Three Sister mountains can be seen at the skyline on the left.

Paulina Lake


A Paulina Lake Campsite


East Lake

From Left to Right: Gary, Abby, Karen, Sandy, Maggie, and Dave at East Lake. Note the volcanic cone in the background that divided Paulina Lake from East Lake.


Did someone say water?


Abby and Maggie play the "share" game. Abby brings the stick in closer so Maggie can bring it in the rest of the way. These two are best buddies.

Lava and Obsidian flows near the Lakes


Large boulders of Obsidian


Sucking air at almost 8000 ft.!


Sandy, Dave, Maggie, Karen, Gary, and Abby catching our breath


A view of the Three Sisters in the background

*** A Side Note: Take my word for it, and DO NOT open a can of pop before climbing the gravel road to the top of Paulina Mountain!!!

Crater Lake National Park

A Panoramic picture of Crater Lake

If you live in Oregon, and have not seen the Crater Lake National Park... then you are missing out on one of the most beautiful sites that can be witnessed. The water inside of the crater is so "Blue", that it has to be viewed in person to believe it. Other than stitching together three pictures to make the "panoramic" posting above, none of the following pictures were enhanced in any way to make the lake water appear the blue color as it's shown. Even these pictures do not do the blueness any justice. We drove the 33 mile road around the Lake, enjoying the many views and vistas along the way.

Wizard Island

The Phantom Ship


A closer view. The spires are over 16 stories tall


Abby and I enjoying one of the many lookouts


All of us together

A tour boat leaves Wizard Island


Clearwater Falls

On the way back to our campsites, we stopped at this beautiful waterfall that Dave & Sandy had discovered earlier this year. What a treat. Even though the lighting wasn't the best for taking pictures, I think you'll still find its beauty worth looking at.

Clearwater Falls


Dave, Maggie, Sandy, Karen, and Abby enjoying the Falls


Looking downstream from the Falls


And... one last stop at Lemolo Lake to "water" the dogs.

As all great trips come to an end, we find ourselves blessed for the beautiful sites we've seen, and the wonderful friends we have to share them with. Karen and I have tried our best to show you the wonderment out there waiting for you to explore. You need only put one foot in front of the other to experience your own personal adventures and journeys.

Until next time, Happy Trails...

-Gary & Karen-

September 2009 Camping Trip - 1

This particular camping trip will always be remembered because of its "uniqueness". Perhaps it was the morning sky that first foretold of this impending adventure... but one doesn't really know for sure.

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Red Sky at morning... Campers take Warning!

Let's just say that a chance encounter, will help to carry on a long time Pacific Northwest mystery in its own right, which is known by the name of Yeti, Sasquatch, or Bigfoot. For those of you who are skeptical or less adventurous, you may stop reading now. For those of you who love "Excitement", the trill of the "Unknown", and story's of "Legends" and "Tall Tales"... then continue reading at your own peril, you have been Warned!

Bigfoot Sighting!!!

Our trip started off as most normally do, except for the fact that we were joining our daughter and her husband (Kelly & Jeremy), on their 8th Wedding Anniversary outing. Karen was actually suppose to be working during this time, but she was able to find a couple of people to cover for her on her shift, so we were able to join Kelly & Jeremy on their camping trip to our favorite campground... Fisherman's Bend.

Jeremy & Kelly at their campsite 7A

Our Campsite 7B


The backside of site 7B

As I stated earlier, this is our favorite local area campground to stay at. Not only are the campsites huge (complete with Full-Hookups), there are several miles of nature trails for hiking on, which are full of wild flowers in the Spring. Of course for Abby, the North Santiam River is available for swimming in as well.

One of the many trails...


Kelly & Jeremy stop for a photo along the way


And there are raised boardwalks and bridges for the wetter areas

The North Santaim river flows right beside the campground, and is a favorite fishing area for trout, salmon, and steelhead. Abby could care less about all of that though... just as long as she can swim for a stick.

Heaven at last...


Come on... throw it some more!


Here it comes...

Karen and I took along a bottle of Champagne to celebrate with Kelly & Jeremy, and we toasted to their marriage, good life & happiness, and many long years to come.

A toast...

In the evenings we made a fire and talked, and for one after-dinner-dessert, we actually made SMORES! Yummmmmmmmm!!! It had been a long time since Karen and I enjoyed smores, but I don't think we'll be waiting as long for the next ones.

Both our campsites were located together in a Pull-Through site. However, the brush is so thick, that you can't even see the site of the person next to you. And when the morning and afternoon light comes down through the trees, it makes the Vine Maples trees light up.

Bright green leaves on the Vine Maple trees

We also discovered an interesting looking fungus. It almost looks as if they're "Toasted Marshmallows". Although... I don't think they'd taste like one.

Fungus growing on a piece of wood

But the most interesting thing we saw (and the reason for this story), was a notice placed all around the Fisherman's Bend campground. It appears that "Bigfoot" is in this area, and that it had been sighted many times during the Summer. They wanted to make sure that all the campers were aware of the situation, and posted the following bulletin everywhere within the campground:

*** Posted Notice all around the Campground ***

Although we never actually met this mythical creature in person... one always had the feeling that something was there watching you though the thickness of the forest. Then at night, those strange grunting and howling noises penetrated the silence (especially at the darkest hours). And while making smores by the campfire at night... one could almost make-out the glowing eyes of some large bipedal creature in the blackness. This was all enough to give you chills and make the hair stand up on the back of your neck and arms. Had our son Kevin been along on this camping trip... every night would have been filled with terror and sleeplessness.

With all of the story's from hundreds of years of Native American legends, and the more recent and countless sightings (including grainy movies and pictures, and a little Photoshop trickery), one has to stop and really ask this question... "Where does Bigfoot sleep?"

In all honesty, I can tell you he doesn't sleep in a NuWa HitchHiker trailer (although some may argue about that)! :-)

Happy trails...

-Gary & Karen-

August 2009 Camping Trip

Karen and I just returned from four days of Rest & Relaxation, at the Seven Feathers RV Resort in Southern Oregon by Canyonville (Exit 99 off of I-5). We have stayed here before, and enjoy being a bit "spoiled" by all that this RV Resort has to offer.

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Site 131 - Back

Site 131 - Front

This RV Resort is owned and operated by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Indian Tribe. The resort is located within 2 miles of the Seven Feathers Indian Casino, and a free shuttle will take you from your RV site right to the front door of the casino. The casino has several great places to eat inside (as well as a fantastic food buffet), and of course, they offer night shows and gambling if you're interested. Karen and I prefer to keep our money in our pockets, but did spend about 3 hours putting nickles into the Draw Poker Machines. I did much better than Karen (who lost $4.00), and I bought the casino with my $7.00 winnings!

Seven Feathers Seal


30ft. Tall Eagle sculpture at the entrance of the Seven Feathers Casino

The following are a few pictures of the RV Resort grounds themselves. We always seem to meet the nicest people here... and I always manage to drop off a few NuWa Owners Forum cards to other HitchHiker owners I happen to see.

The "All-In-One" Site pedestals. Power 30/50 amp, Phone, Cable, and Water. There are also 2 waist connections at each site, so you can choose which works best for your rig.


The "Drive-Through" check-in area


The indoor swimming, Jacuzzi, and exercise facilities to the left. There are also meeting rooms for group gatherings or parties for traveling RV Clubs.


The heated pool


The Jacuzzi

Abby had a guest with her on this trip, as we watched "Maggie" (Dave & Sandy's dog), while they helped to move their son Stephen into his new apartment. Abby was the perfect host... and of course, Maggie was a perfect guest.

The "Girls" out for their walk

Karen and I also took in the local antique stores in Canyonville one day, and on another, drove to the site of the Milo, Oregon Covered Bridge.

The Milo Covered Bridge


Another view... and yes, the Dodge Truck fit

Just by luck, we found a "local" farmers market just east of the "Burger King" in town, that was called "Mary's Produce Stand". She had fresh picked corn, peaches, tomatoes, peppers, and a whole lot of other produce. We snagged a few tomatoes and peaches, which were delicious! So if you're in the area, be sure not to miss this excellent find.

Until our next adventure... Happy Trails!

-Gary, Karen, and Abby-