Karen and I, along with our "side-kicks" Dave & Sandy, arrived at Frenchglen, Oregon this afternoon. We headed down to Eugene on Hwy 99 (South), then cut over on Hwy 126 (East), then over the Santiam Pass along Hwy 20 (East) to Burns, Oregon, then finally South on Hwy 205 to Frenchglen. We took this route to allow for the melting of the snow that fell overnight onto the mountain passes. Luckily... the pass roads were clear, but we still had falling snow as we drove through.
*** Click on pictures to make them larger for viewing ***
Following Dave & Sandy over the mountain passes
Camp site... early morning
Peter Cotton-Tail
Frenchglen is way back in the background
One of our favorite areas to see while here, is the National Malheur Wildlife Refuge. It's only a short drive to the lower end of the "Center Patrol Road" from the Steens Mountain Resort (about 1 1/2 miles), which you can drive though grasslands, ponds, and lakes where beautiful birds and wildlife reside. The following pictures are an example of this area.
The "P-Ranch" along the Center Patrol Road
One of our favorite areas to see while here, is the National Malheur Wildlife Refuge. It's only a short drive to the lower end of the "Center Patrol Road" from the Steens Mountain Resort (about 1 1/2 miles), which you can drive though grasslands, ponds, and lakes where beautiful birds and wildlife reside. The following pictures are an example of this area.
The "P-Ranch" along the Center Patrol Road
The P-Ranch
Mule Deer
Wetlands in the Malheur Refuge
More wetlands
More wetlands
Note the snow covered Steens Mountains in the background
Ibis
Young Raccoons
Canadian Geese
American Coot
Huge Cowboy silhouettes Branding Cattle (you can see the real size of the cattle around them)
"Star" - The wild free-roaming "Kiger Mustang" here at the RV Park
Karen feeding "Star" some oats
Abby (a.k.a. - The "Chicken"), gets close to Star
The Malheur Overlook
Overlook - looking South towards Frenchglen
White Puffy Clouds...
We are staying at the "Steens Mountain Resort" (Site 38), which has Full-Hookups (30amp/Water/Sewer), and also contains a small store, propane, and laundry facilities. There is also a BLM Campground nearby for dry camping that is beautiful as well. It's called "Page Springs", and has been recently upgraded. Below are a few pictures of this campground.
Page Springs BLM Campground
Page Springs BLM Campground
New group cooking area
New Pit Toilets
New Pit Toilets
Please make sure to check back over the next 4 days, as I'll make updates and post more pictures from our travels and adventures in this area.
Gary & Karen
Was glad to see "Star" is still there and looking fairly healthy! Great place.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos as always. Looks like a great place to set up camp, although it would be a little nicer when it's 70 degrees. LOL!
ReplyDeleteGlad Karen go to feed Star, and Abby got to sniff noses! Star was locked in her field when we were there.
ReplyDeleteHave loads of fun!
~ Bonnie
Thanks for sharing. As close as I will get to such things..........fraid my family is not into this sort of stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou really struck gold on this trip with all that wildlife. Thanks for a great post. Betsy.
ReplyDelete