July 2010 Camping Trip - #2

Summer weather has finally arrived here in the Willamette Valley, and with the hotter temperatures, we like to head for the high lakes or rivers where it's much cooler. Karen and I took advantage of some time off together, and spent 6 days camping at Fisherman's Bend (a BLM Campground), located by Mill City, OR. The North Santiam River run's right by this campground, so it allows Abby to "cool-off" as well. :-) Even here at this location however, we still experienced some very warm temperatures (Mid-90's), and we were forced to retreat into the trailer during a couple of afternoons, where our air-conditioning was used for the first time this year.

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Hitting it hard in camp


Site #9

Luckily, the evenings cooled down very nicely, and we took advantage with outside campfires and making Smore's! :-) I must say there is nothing finer than a nice camp fire smore!

The ingredients (yep... Reese's Peanut Butter Cups)


Toasting the marshmallow's


And finally... the finished product... YUM!

We did have to keep Abby closer to us while hiking the nature trails around the campgrounds this time. Nope... no "Bigfoot" sightings this time (as in our past experiences here :-) ), but there were sign's posted for BIG kitty-cats!

Cougar sighting warnings

During one of the evenings here at camp, we drove into the town of Silverton, OR (about 45 minutes North/West of our location), to meet up with NuWa Owners Forum friends. We had a wonderful visit and enjoyed dinner at a local Brew-Pub eatery.

Left to Right: Bonnie, Gene (from Washington), (back) Dave, Theresa (from Arizona), Karen, and myself

And during our last full day in camp, another very nice couple from the NuWa Owners Forum membership, ended up staying at Fisherman's Bend for their first time ever. They both live here in Oregon as well.

Rich & Barbara (Abby too)

Karen and I were able to read books, take long walks, water Abby at her favorite swimming holes, plus we got to meet-up with some old friends and make new ones as well. We had a very enjoyable camping trip, and actually relaxed in the evenings by the campfire and our solar powered "Tiki" torches (yep... they actually flicker like the real ones). Basically... we got a whole lot of "nothing" done! :-)

Our campfire by our lit-up trailer


One of our "2" Solar Powered "Tiki" torches


You can just see the soft glow of the flickering LED light

Before summer disappears... make sure to get out there and enjoy a camping trip of your own. It'll bring back fond memories from camping as a kid, and there is always something magical about staring into a popping campfire at night under the stars.

Happy Trails to you on your next adventures.

-Gary & Karen (and Abby too)-