Quest, Pirate & Journey on the right.
The Northwest is full of lakes and rivers. If I spent the rest of my life visiting them I would never run out of ones I had not seen. (I may do just that). We got home last Sunday night, after almost a week of camping. We were tired and a bit dirty but we had a wonderful time. It was late as we wound up our road to our hilltop home. As I pulled up to the gate the dogs became aware, and Pirate squealed in delight as he recognized his home. They could hardly wait as the gate opened for us and we drove up the driveway to the level area on top.
I decided not to put the RV in the garage, but rather to leave the unpacking until the next day when I was not so tired. The dogs all got out and began checking their property to be certain everything was the way it should be, and that there were no intruders. They found a couple old Jolly Balls that I believe they leave out as bait, in order to detect any thieves that might visit while we are gone. I try to put all the toys away before we leave but invariably as I am driving to the gate I see that someone has placed a few toys in strategic spots on the lawn.
I did take the time to bring the birds inside. "Bogey", a small parrot type bird called a Nanday Conure and a parakeet, "Cheepy" (I know, not very original), have to go with us. Bogey actually travels very well and he loves it. I don't know if Cheepy loves it or not, but he objects to being away from Bogey and I don't have the heart to leave him alone or at a boarding facility. We have had Bogey for about 28 years and he has traveled extensively. He is a great "watch-bird" and he always alerts when someone is too close to the RV, or if he sees something strange out his window. If a stranger comes to the door he literally screams! So that is very handy if I stop to take a few pictures, or walk the dogs at a rest stop. I don't need to lock everything up. I can hear Bogey scream from probably a mile away. I believe anyone intent on entering our RV would quickly change their mind with the racket Bogey makes. We have never had a problem.
Bogey likes to have his travel cage on the table (secured by bungees), in front of the big window. Now that Journey rides on the dinette seat part of the time, I usually leave Bogey and Cheepy (got to change that name) on the upper bunk. It has a good view and they can see out several different windows. Also, if I have the air conditioner going I can pull the curtains so they do not get too much direct draft. My dogs love the birds and even the bunny (he does not travel with us), but Journey is still trying to be best buddies with Bogey and although Bogey seems to like him alright, he sometimes gets a little grumpy with all the togetherness and he has been known to nibble at Journey's nose. Journey is pretty respectful.
Bunny "Guido" does not travel with us because he would need to be on the floor and floor space is at a premium in our RV. Our neighbor and handyman checks in on Guido and keeps watch over our house while we are gone. When we get back, even if I have already put the RV in it's garage, Devin knows when we are home when he goes by and sees all the toys back all over the lawn. It is colorful. I will have to take a picture sometime. It makes it difficult to cut the lawn.
It was nice to shower in my big shower, and sleep in my home bed. It was very nice to have the temperature controlled automatically. The RV is comfortable, but the shower space is a little cramped. My double bed in the RV would not be bad except that Journey and Pirate insist on sharing it with me. Pirate stays on his side and eventually gets down when it gets too warm, but Journey often sleeps cross-wise and he cuddles, even if it is way too warm for that much closeness. Of course in the cold months I appreciate it.
We set out on this trip about a week ago. We were joining my daughter, her husband and his mother, Shirley - who is visiting from San Antonio, Texas. They were leaving from Portland and since I was further north, we would be meeting them at the first campground - Detroit Lake, Oregon. We took the Interstate 5 highway south to Salem, OR. where we turned off on highway 22 east to Detroit Lake. Laura had reserved two campsites next to each other, on the edge of the lake. It was very nice, although still very hot, even though it was dark when we arrived. I parked and walked the dogs before we had dinner. Kevin barbecued some incredible steaks on his Traeger grill while we sipped champagne.
Coffee in the morning at Laura & Kevin's Air Stream.
Kevin's mom, ready to go for a sail with Kevin.
Pirate, Quest & Journey checking out the lake.
The swim team
After the morning run and swim we went back to camp and relaxed for a while. It was unusually hot. The temperature was in the 90's and the shade from the huge trees was welcome.
I took the dogs for a walk around the campground before dinner and then we all sat at the picnic table and fooled around on our computers. The Air Stream has an elaborate wifi system. The reception was not the greatest from this campground, but good enough for everything but downloading videos, or extremely large files. It was fine for pictures or email. We had fun visiting. We skipped having our normal campfire - it was just too hot. We finished the wine and stayed up quite late, visiting after dinner. By the time the dogs and I went next door to our camp it had finally cooled off a bit.
The next day I took the dogs to the beach, in front of our campground. I threw sticks and they raced each other on the beach and swimming in the lake until they were exhausted. About noon it was getting very hot and we went back to the campground. We decided to rent a boat and do some fishing. I turned on the air conditioning in the RV and put the dogs inside to nap while we were gone.
Our camp is right behind this row of trees.
Detroit Lake
"You guys better touch land for a while"
We drove a few miles to the other end of the lake where they rent boats from the little general store. I enjoyed hearing Laura request a boat with a lid on it. Honest! And to think she grew up on boats. The woman in the store laughed and signed us out with a pontoon boat (with a lid to shade us).
We loaded fishing poles and picnic lunch and headed out on the lake.
Kevin & his mom, Shirley
Beautiful boating, but no fish.
Laura and Kevin dropped us off on the dock by our campground and took the rental boat back. Shirley decided to take a shower and I took the dogs to the beach for another swim. It was such a nice day. Although we did not catch any fish, we were all looking forward to barbecued pizza.
Pirate & Journey having a wrestling match before dinner.
Quesy likes to get dirty. He works at it and is happy to pose for pictures.
This is our peaceful campsite.
The photo above was taken just before a chipmunk came out from under the RV in the middle of the dogs. That was when all heck broke loose and the dogs took out one leg of the awning and the ti-ki torch next door. It was wild! I could not really blame them. They had been watching the little critters for a couple days .... and finally, there he was within reach. Well, thank goodness he got away, but I will be taking the RV to the shop for an awning repair.
The pizza was amazing. It was finally slightly cooler and easier to sleep.
A walk before breakfast (Eggs Benedict).
Journey
Pirate with a big chunk of bark.
The dogs are going to miss this lake. They have really enjoyed playing in the water.
We are on our way south-east, to Lake Paulina.
Paulina Lake is one of the twin crater lakes. The other is East Lake, located 6,350 feet above sea level in Newberry Crater, Central Oregon. It is in the Deschutes National Forest, near La Pine, Oregon. The crater was built from 500,000 years of volcanic eruptions. The lakes main inflow is from snow melt, hot springs, and seepage from East Lake. Its primary outflow is Paulina Creek. The average depth is 163 feet. The deepest part of the lake reaches 250 feet . The lake covers 1,531 acres. It is about 50 feet lower, and to the west of its twin, East Lake. Paulina Lake is known for its large number of kokanee salmon and brown trout.
We hiked to the top of the crater edge and thought this little plate would have a higher altitude on it, but it was apparently just the surveyor's stamp even though it was probably twenty or thirty feet above the altitude sign.
