on the move

[reelfastgreg]

Last night at my BIL/SIL horse operation east of Salem, OR. Then up and over Santiam Pass into central Oregon. Next couple of days based at Cold Springs Resort on the Metolius river. A most beautiful spring creek bubbling up from the lava substraight, amazing.

We will explore some old haunts up Century drive and visit the old place in Sisters and in general walk down memory lane. My first campout here was in 1970 so lots to revisit.

Then on to the coast. More from there.

[Kevin245]

Pictures are truly worth a thousand words.

[reelfastgreg]

Connections are sketchy. Photos when we land back home next week.

[reelfastgreg]

Up USFS16 today to three creeks lake. The final part of this road is gravel in such terrible shape i would not even consider pulling the trailer. Really rattled my bones. Found the Tam Mcarther rim trail head, 2.5 miles straight up, not today i thought. Instead chose the 2 mile hike into little three creeks lake. This takes you through the 2003 B&B complex fire. A classic fire ignited by lightning in bettle killed timber. Grew to a bit over 90,000 acres before the rains put it out. All you silva cuturists know ahot fire sterilizes the soilso not much has managed to get a foothold. The bettle kill is astonishing, yes I'll post some photos when i get home. My understanding is that with climate chage well under way the beetles are almost to the boreal forests of far northern Canada and the Yukon. Without freezing winters to slow them down, they stay on the move.

cold enough this AM, i started the furnace. Fueled the truck, overall for over 400 miles was 13.7 including this mountain pass, not bad i'd say.

more as it unfolds.

[reelfastgreg]

Tough day visiting old haunts and memories all along the river. If you are considering central OR this is the time of year to be here. In another couple of weeks the temps will skyrocket and not come back to reasonable until mid September. Heading for Depoe Bay tomorrow and trading 80s for 60s. Photos when we get back home next week.

[reelfastgreg]

central oregon was hot and already quite dry. conditions usually not experiences until well into July. snow pack is zero at locations where measurements are taken. a few snaps:

Tam Mcarther rim. the cirque, last time i visited was snow and ice right into 'little three creeks lake'; in 2003 the B&B complex fire ran through 90,000 acres in August and September. the fire was so hot the soil remains sterile. this old giant was 65 paces and missing its top. grand old ponderosa.

[reelfastgreg]

then on to the central Oregon coast and Depoe Bay my home port from a dozen years. getting in and out is a 'trick' but easily learned with a patient instructor.

things were relatively quiet as the tuna are not around as yet and salmon season has not opened.

[Wayne&Sam]

We're heading that way at the end of July- need to be in Bend around 8/8. Looking forward to it.

[FCloud9]

Great pics....thanks for sharing. We have to make plans to spend a month or two in Oregon!

[reelfastgreg]

right now, CA, OR and WA are in drought condition. everything is bone dry, hot and dusty. keep that in mind as you make your travel plans. Central OR looks more like September not June, astonishing to say the least. the coastal areas are also slated to heat up but they remain pretty green and as usual, crowded. wherever you intend to go in OR or WA, make sure you have reservations. we were astonished at just how full up so many of the RV places were this early in the year.

sorry i didn't take more photos of the mtns in Central OR but that part of our trip was so melancholy, i was having trouble just being there. having first camped on the Metolius back in 1970, it remains one of the most beautiful rivers you will ever see but packed with memories of friends no longer with us.

Cold Springs RV park is a very nice place to set up camp with many spots with full hookups. several of the USFS campgrounds along the river will also accommodate trailers up to about 27', all dry camping.