12. Oregon

The morning of August 4th, drove 2 hours inland from Crescent City, CA to Cave Junction, Oregon. Took a 90 minute tour of the Oregon Caves National Monument, which had lots of steps but not many features. Spent the night at an RV park just outside the town. Had some great food at Taylor's Sausages.

On the twisty road up to the Caves

One of the cave's features

Next day, drove 3 hours inland through the mountains to Crater Lake National Park. Spent 1 night at the park's campground, and used my scooter to drive around the lake. It got real smoky in the afternoon from a forest fire 150 miles away, so the lake views were not clear.

Next morning, drove two hours North to Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Did a 2 mile hike in the lava cave, and another hike into the lava fields at Lava Lands Visitor Center.  Spent the night at my first Oregon State Park, called LaPine State Park, which was really nice.

Lava field at Lava Lands Visitor Center

Next day, drove through the city of Bend, then to the town of Sisters, and then took the wonderful 36 mile scenic byway over McKenzie Pass, which had been recommended by Reuben.  At the top of the pass was another lava field and a visitor center built by the Conservation Corps in the 1930's.

Arrived in the city of Eugene in early afternoon, checked into an RV park, then spent the rest of the day riding my bike around lots of nice bike paths and bridges over the Willamette river. The city is the home of the University of Oregon Mighty Ducks.

Next morning drove 1 hour North to Salem, where I spent 1 hour seeing the state capitol building and walking around downtown.

Early afternoon, drove 30 minutes to Silver Falls State Park, where I did the famous 8.5 mile hike around 10 waterfalls, which was wonderful.  Stayed the night at the park's campground which was very nice.

Next day drove 2 hours West to the coast, then up North to Fort Stevens State Park where I stayed at their campground for 2 nights. It is part of Lewis and Clark National Historic Park. Used my scooter to drive around the fort and to Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark spent the winter before returning to the East. Also visited the town of Astoria, and the beach resorts of Seaside and Cannon Beach.

Peter Iredale wreck - Fort Stevens State Park

WW II Canon at Fort Stevens

 Astoria Column

 Canon Beach

After a nice two day stay, drove 2 hours East along the Columbia river and stayed in Portland, the biggest city, for 2 nights. Walked around and toured the Rose Gardens - it is called the City of Roses

Leaving Portland, drove East on the Columbia River Scenic Byway, a narrow, twisting road with excellent views of the  river, which is the border between Oregon and Washington. Toured the Bonneville Lock, Dam, and Fish Hatchery, Cascade Locks, Hood River, and other sights.

 Fish Ladder at Bonneville

Spent the night east of the town of The Dalles in Deschutes River State Rec Area, which was really nice.

Next morning, drove back west to the town of Hood River, then south along Hood River Valley Fruit Loop, and then the Mount Hood Scenic Byway. Drove up to historic Timberline Lodge and hiked up Mt. Hood for an hour, where they still had one narrow ski run open.

 Cross country skiier going up and snow groomer coming down

Stayed my last night in Oregon about 45 minutes south of Portland in Milo McIver State Park, near the town of Estacada. Really like the Oregon state park system, as they are in nice places and there are many electric & water hookups.

Clackamas River in the state park

Next day, August 15th, said goodbye to Oregon, one of my favorite states so far, then drove North 2 hours on I-5 into Washington.