It was finally time for us to go on our adventure through mountains, high desert and ocean shores. A trip that has been in the works for over a year. A trip through the beaver state, Oregon. It was a 17 day adventure that took us 2,021.8 miles round trip from our home. All it did was make us want more. There is so much more to see in Oregon and so many places we want to return to.

Our first night started after work. We left Spokane and headed south. We ventured into Idaho slightly before going back into Washington. Tonight’s distention would be a stop for the night along the Grande Ronde river. It was a dry camping Fish and Game spot just a few miles north of Oregon. Free camping with a Discovery Pass. We had the spot all to ourselves. Nice and quite and very beautiful.

We had a very good nights sleep. Ah…no work for several days. Only play time in the schedule. Our next distention was Wallowa Lake State Park. That drive would only be around and hour and a half. Of course we made it longer by stopping to find a geocache or two and take in the views. We could not check into the state park until around 3 pm so we had plenty of time to explore.

The state park is massive. We have tried to come here before but the place gets booked right away. It is a popular place. After staying here for 3 nights we could understand why. We really enjoyed ourselves here. We did a lot of relaxing at camp, going on walks and finding a few geocaches. There is a tram that takes you to the top of one of the mountains but we skipped that. The ticket price was too much for what we would pay. Other tourist things were reasonably priced. There was a lot to choose from for things to do here.

We look forward to a return trip sometime. We would come back to this state park, no problem. If you come though…book early or you wont get a spot during the summertime. We left here fully relaxed and a little sad to be leaving. There are lots more adventures coming up though and that sadness turned to excitement for what was coming up.

Our next destination was to go to Union Creek campground at Phillips lake. Phillips lake is a reservoir type of lake and east of Sumpter Oregon just a few miles. We would be staying 1 night in one of the group areas. A dry camp parking lot type of spot. Plenty of room though and along the lake with great views. Of course we took our time getting there. We took the longer route like we love to do. We would meet up with several other people here. This would be a pre rally meet up for some of us. We had a great time visiting with each other.

We had a fun night. Visiting with friends we have known for several years and meeting new friends. The next morning we would make our way to Sumpter to tour the old gold dredge. We have stopped by here last year but wanted to return. We knew it would be a great stop for those who have never been there as well. After the tour of the old dredge we all made our way to La Grande Oregon where the Oregon Rally would be located.

The next part of the trip is where we hosted the Oregon Rally in La Grande Oregon for the next 5 days.

https://thetclife.com/2018/08/10/oregon-rally-7-11-7-15-2018/

After the farewell breakfast at the rally we packed up and made our way to Tumalo State Park for a night, just north of Bend Oregon. Part of the route we took was the interesting highway 245. I sure would have loved to get a few pictures of that drive but you MUST pay a lot of attention on that highway. Lots of curves and steep grades. It was a fun drive but not for the squeamish. We stopped to find a few caches along our route of course. We also stopped for lunch at a spot we drove by last year.

We arrived to Tumalo State Park in the late afternoon. We got settled into our spot and then walked around a bit. The next morning is where we would really walk around more and explore this state park. It was yet another great park.

We awoke to yet another very pretty morning. Our drive today would take us down into California and the Redwoods and then back up into Oregon. Our next stop for 3 nights would be at Harris Beach State Park in Oregon. A place we absolutely feel in love with. We had one of the few ocean view sites.

After we got our things set up we went for a walk down to the beach. What we really loved about Harris Beach was the variety of the beach. Sand, tidepools, rock formations, it just seemed to have it all.

We went back to camp and made some dinner. After eating and relaxing a bit, Joanne and I went for another walk around. First we walked up to the top of a little hill with a spot to look out at the ocean on top. After that we walked along the cliff edge with lots of ocean views.

We had a nice night at camp. Sure was nice to get out of the high 90F weather and into the 70F weather. Just kept the windows in the camper open and felt the nice ocean breeze.

The next morning we would make the drive down to Crescent City California. We wanted to do a specific geocache where you could walk out to a lighthouse during low tide. After that we made the drive down to Trees of Mystery and explored some of the redwood trees.

We drove back to Brookings Oregon and had lunch at the marina in town. We then did a little bit of geocaching then made a stop at a brewery in town. After that it was back to camp. Joanne and I walked down to the beach to watch the sunset that night. That was pretty remarkable.

The next day was spent hanging out at camp and the beach. We went for a walk north along the beach since it was low tide.

The next day was time to pack up and head north a little ways. Our next nights stop would be at Sunset Bay Sate Park for 1 night. We made lots of stops along the way before we made it to camp. We stopped at lighthouses, several viewpoints, an amazing crab shack for lunch and a brewery.

After walking around town it was time to get to camp. Sunset Bay State Park is an older park but nice. For those with large RV’s be cautious. The sites may say they are long enough but a lot of the sites are perpendicular to the road. Tough parking for some. Not for us though, we have a truck camper.

After we got parked we went for a walk. The state park here (it is actually 3 of them in one) is huge. So many trails to explore. Far more than we could do in the short time we were here. I would love to come back and hike around the area.

After our walk around we returned to camp for the night. The next morning we would be moving on and farther north up the coast. Our next spot for the night would be at South Beach State Park in Newport Oregon. That state park is very large. It is a little bit of a walk to the beach but not too bad. At least not for us.

We made lots of stops along the way on the drive to the state park. Once we got to Newport we went to the aquarium. That was lots of fun. We then went to the mothership location of Rogue Brewery. We had lunch there. I really wanted to do the tour but we did not have time on this trip. Another trip at some point in the future for sure. After the lunch we checked in at the state park and got set for the night. We then went for a walk to the beach and hung out there for a while.

We went back to camp and made dinner and relaxed the rest of the night. The next morning before leaving Joanne and I went for a walk. There was a specific geocache I wanted to go after where I needed to read signs to get the answers I needed. That turned out to be a fun thing. You can say I really dug that geocache.

After digging for information it was time to walk back to the camper and get ready to leave. Our next distention was Cove Palisades State Park north of Redmond Oregon. Once again we would make several stops along the way. However, we really wanted to do more stops but we just did not have the time. Just more reasons to come back.

Once parked into our spot we walked around a bit. It was pretty hot so a lot of the time was sitting in the shade. We walked down to the amphitheater later that night to attend a geology talk. Cody got a “Thunder Egg” for attending.

The next day…a sad day. It was the last day of our vacation. We so wished we could just go on touring Oregon. We had to get back home though. Today we made the trip back to the Spokane Washington area and our home. We made a few stops along the way including the Maryhill Winery in Washington for lunch and a quick stop in Kennewick Washington to walk the dogs. First though, it was another morning walk around for us before leaving.

Vacation came to a close. What a wonderful time we had. So many things seen. All it did was make us want more of Oregon. We are anxiously waiting until our next trip back. You may have noticed in the pictures that we had great weather. We did the whole time. It rained for about 3 minutes overnight in Bend Oregon and that was it. How lucky we were to have awesome weather. So from our driveway through Oregon and back to our driveway was over 2,000 miles. What journey. One we will remember for the rest of our life. We will be back Oregon.

 

the beaver state 7/6 – 7/22 2018