February 2010 Camping Trip

Winter camping can be very rewarding... especially if you're prepared for the colder weather. Some of your favorite campgrounds can be less crowded, and during the winter season, familiar summertime haunts can be just as beautiful with new things to see and explore. Karen and I took advantage of some nice weather (no rain), and headed out to the Belknap Hot Springs Resort near McKenzie Bridge, OR off of Hwy 126.

On our way to the resort, we had a "Good Oman" appear right before us along Interstate 5. A Bald Eagle flew across the front of our truck when we headed south towards Eugene, OR, and the Hwy 126 exit. After this experience... Karen and I knew everything was going to be better than normal on this camping trip. :-)

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The Upper Camping Area - Site 16


The McKenzie River was right behind us

The Upper Pool, Heated with the "Hot Springs" water (about 104º)

Miles of walking paths and beautiful gardens to explore

The Japanese Garden

Entrance to the "Secret Garden"

With all this water... Abby took the time to quench her thirst

A fungus stair-stepped tree

We also took the time to drive around the surrounding area, and explored some of Oregon's beautiful side attractions. See some of our finds below.

Clear & Cold... the McKenzie River has a beauty of it's own

Fish Lake reflections

Double Rainbow at Koosah Falls

Mt. Washington with a forest fires destruction

Sahalie Falls

Water drips can become "Stalagmites" by morning

Our "Pirit Heated Hose", worked great in the freezing temps, and kept us supplied with fresh water for the trailer

During the daytime, the outside temperatures got up into the high 40's or low 50's, and at night dipped down into the lower 20's. Inside the trailer however, we stayed nice and warm, and listened at night to the McKenzie River as it rushed by... putting us to easily to sleep in our toasty bed (with the help of a mattress warmer). Of course we made a lot of visits to the upper hot springs pool (about 50 yards from our trailer), and enjoyed just soaking and relaxing until our fingers were pruned. Yep... the winter blues can be easily chased away if you just know where to hide. :-)

Happy Trails...

Gary & Karen (and Abby too!)

November Camping Trip

After what seemed like "forever", Karen and I finally got the HitchHiker out camping once again before this year ends. As the Summer slowly came to an end and Fall approached, we found ourselves busy finishing up with the last of the house projects before Winter sets in. Luckily... we have completed all that we can this year, and are now starting to finalize our plans for the "Big Trip" scheduled for June of 2009 (more on this in a future posting).

For this trip... we headed to the Belknap Hot Springs Resort. The Belknap Resort is located about 55 miles East of Springfield, OR, on Hwy 126. It's just East of the Hwy 242 intersection with Hwy 126.

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Camping Site #37 at Belknap Hot Springs Resort

The Belknap Hot Springs resort is located along the McKenzie River, and the true "Hot Springs" are located across the river from the main Lodge. The extremely hot water from the springs, are pumped over a walking bridge to both lower & upper swimming pools, where it is then mixed with colder water to make about a 104 degree pool temperature all year round. The lower pool is used mainly by the Lodge guests and families, while the upper pool is for cabin and RV guests.

The Belknap Hot Springs Resort Lodge

The Lower Pool area behind the Lodge

One of our favorite things to do while we're staying there, is to walk the miles and miles of walking paths that are located among huge gardens, water fountans, and flowers. In the Summer time, the "Gardens" are used by many wedding parties. They are truly beautiful (see below for yourself).

Our most favorite part of the resort, is finding the hidden access to the "Secret Garden". You may stumble on this secret by accident, but you'll never forget what you've found when you do see it for the first time. See below for a look for yourselves.

Karen and Abby in the "Secret Garden"

While we were staying here, Karen and I also toured the smaller communities of "McKenzie Bridge", "Rainbow", and "Sisters" Oregon. One day, we also drove the "Old McKenzie River Hwy" (Hwy 242). This highway is very narrow and curvey, so you can't tow your 5th wheel trailers through this section of road. But when this road is open during the Summer and Fall (it's closed during the Winter) it's a beautiful drive going through lush green forests, and topping out at a volcanic lava flow area. When we made it to the top of this pass (5300ft elevation), it was snowing. The stark contrast between the black lava, and white snow is something to be seen... "Fire & Ice" together. Here are some more pictures of our side-trip adventures below.

The "Belknap" Covered Bridge. Originally built in 1890

Snow begins to fall in the lava fields

It looks as if the hands of Winter are starting to spread it's blankets of white in the higher reaches of Oregon, and soon, the hibernation of the season will be upon us everywhere. Thanksgiving and Christmas are soon approaching, but that doesn't mean Karen and I are through camping for the year. We still have a "Christmas" tree to light and decorate by our rear trailer window... so stay tunned for our next trip before years end.

-Gary-