Gypsy & The Navigator

Hell's Canyon Has A Touch Of Heaven Too

So many years ago that we can't even come close to pinpointing the year we had driven through a portion of Hell's Canyon.  We can't remember if we were coming from the Idaho side or if it was from Oregon on a trip to Boise.  But, I wanted to go back and spend time there so that was the reason we wanted to stay somewhere near to the road in and that is right out of the center of Cambridge.

It was a crystal clear day so we packed up a lunch and headed out.  We laughed that 50 years ago we would have taken that road on the side of the hill in but at this stage of life we will stick with the one that appears so much safer. 

I do remember that the last time we drove through it was spring.  The mountains were green but now in August they are dry and golden.

Most of our trip we are on the eastern side of the Snake River so we are in Idaho but every now and then we either cross a bridge or a dam and we are on the western side in Oregon. 

Idaho Power Company has built a three dam complex in the Canyon.  The first is Brownlee dam that was completed in 1958.

The Brownlee Reservoir is 58 miles long.

Brownlee Dam is an earth fill embankment dam.

Near each of the dams and one along the in the canyon Idaho Power has built green, shaded, beautiful campgrounds.   They maintain them and keep them open year round.

There were a few campers at the one we  stopped at for our lunch but no one else in the picnic area. 

We stopped at this area for quite awhile because there were river otters to watch.  They did not cooperate for any photo opportunities.  They darted, dove, and changed positions so quickly I just gave up and enjoyed watching them.   There was also something out there that I thought was a turtle because it was just a moving spot on the water.  Walt got the binoculars and amazingly it was a butterfly with its wings flapping so fast heading for shore.  It appeared that it made it to the bank downstream.  Hope so! 

The next dam is the Oxbow Dam that was completed in 1961.

It is a rock fill dam between narrow canyon walls.

Despite the warning signs the road was fine and the water kept in check.

The rugged scenic beauty of Hells Canyon is very different from other places we have been.

Hell's Canyon is North America's deepest river gorge at 7,993 feet.  

Despite Walt's protests there is a difference between a gorge and a canyon.  A canyon is a deep valley having steep sides and a gorge is a deep ravine with a river flowing through it.  A gorge is a much smaller, narrower version of a canyon.  Gorges are located between mountains.  

Hell's Canyon Dam is the third dam and was completed in 1968. 


Not far past the last dam is the end of the road. 

It is from here that rafters launch for a whitewater trip on the Snake.  The Ranger told us that this group is headed out for an 8 day trip.  

Not long and the first one is midway through the first rapids.

That white spot above the trees in the middle is a mountain goat.  Big guy taking an afternoon nap.

The water in the river here matched the green color of the trees along this creek coming down the mountain. 

NOW FOR A LITTLE BIT OF REFLECTION

Apparently because there are so many dams on the river the water is quite still and gave many reflection photos that I really liked and wanted to post so here they are.

 

Upon reflection I think you'll have to admit that Hell's Canyon is also a little bit of heaven with a wild side. 

Someone once a long time ago told me they thought Hell's Canyon was ugly.  But, like John Muir says “None of Nature’s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild.”  

 That was a great day.......it was! 

Another day we took a trip to McCall.   On the way we took a minute to watch them load these huge bales of hay.  Walt says it is sure different than when he was a kid bucking hay.

The skies were smoky but Payette Lake was still beautiful.

 So many memories of time spent in McCall when we lived in Boise.  A lot of that time was spent working for Walt & Kevin too during holidays when the Red Steer was crazy busy but plenty of time was spent having fun as well. 

We had a hard time locating the company's condo.  The area around it and the  complex itself has grown but we were pretty sure this was it.  If not, one almost exactly like it.   Any help Kevin or Cynthia? 

Walt loved to play golf on this course.  I think it is more a study of "how do I avoid the trees?"

Many things had changed but many stayed the same.........just spiffed up a bit. 

Lots of new art installations.  This was my favorite.  Who doesn't love bears?

Walt was happy to find that the old Red Steer is still in business and still in the Hawkins family.  He was able to talk to the granddaughter who now owns it.  

Several familiar things on the menu made for a delicious lunch.  Walt loved that they were still using the same order pads that Red Steer used.

Looks like the Shore Lodge still doesn't have a vacancy.  Summer or winter it seems the No Vacancy is always out.

Another nice day walking down memory lane.

It has come to the last day at Mundo Hot Springs.

No more soaks or evening walks along the river. 

No more smoky sunsets. 

No more views of what I call the see through mountains in the afternoon.  It has been a splendid stay. 

THE END!

 

 

From The Prairie To The Mountains

Pointing the Navigator east we went through about 175 miles of incredible farm land.

The southeast portion of Washington going into west central Idaho is a major agricultural area.  

This is intense farming.  The farms must be huge.  The fields go on and on with very few fences.

The harvested fields look like works of art.

There were still some fields that needed harvesting giving a pretty contrast to the hills behind.

There are a few small towns whose economy is wrapped around farming.

The miles of wheat were occasionally interrupted by bales of hay.

There it is.  The Snake River.  Cross this and we are in Idaho.

The wheat continues.

In this part of Idaho wheat is King but in Idaho overall it is the 3rd biggest crop after potatoes and hay.

 

Upon arrival at our destination we were happy to see Walt's brother, Bob, his wife, Kay and their daughter Carol and her husband Mark.  They live outside Grangeville, ID in a house surrounded by all kinds of trees and bushes that is very peaceful amid all the beautiful wheat fields.  There was a lot of visiting going on. 

It is such a treat when we have a tour guide that knows the area and takes us to see the sights.  Thanks Bob!

The day was cloudy with sporadic gentle rain showers but that did not detract from our tour or our picnic that we had at Fish Creek Campground high in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. 

The forest is dense and there is a feeling of remoteness even though you are only about 8 miles from Grangeville.

 Being high up in forest land gives wonderful views of the Camas Prairie below.

Those beautiful ribbons of color down there are part of the Camas Prairie.  The Camas Prairie is named for the blue flowering camas bulb that grows here.  It was a major food source for the Nez Perce Indians that are native to the area.   Camas bulbs contributed to the survival of the members of the Lewis and Clark expedition.  Cultivation has changed the prairie into a patchwork quilt of wheat, canola and oat fields but they say that in late spring unplowed areas still burst forth in a sea of blue camas blossoms. 

Back down at river level we made a stop at the South Fork of the Clearwater River. 

I understand fishing is great here for Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout.  

The spectacular Bitterroot Mountains flanked our drive.  The rugged peaks were formed by glaciers and offer steep canyons that drop to the valley floor. 

Walt really liked the informational signs they use in this area.  Carved in wood with great information.

What a superb day with Bob and Kay taking us in depth in an area we have only breezed through before.

Last stop of the day brought a smile.

Two bedroom Bed & Breakfast.  One for you one for Fido.

"The prairie skies can always make you see more than what you believe."  Jackson Burnett

 
On our last day in Grangeville we had a Bar B Que with the family.

A divine Idaho sunset was an ideal way to close out our visit here.

The next morning had us on Highway 95 going down Whitebird Hill.  

Whew!  Thank goodness we are going downhill on this with GypsyII trailing behind.  

We didn't have reservations anywhere on this leg of our trip but knew the area we wanted to be in to do some exploring.  

We found an RV Park in Council, ID.  It was shabby and dusty and didn't have an opening for a full week.  I was glad. We continued on down the road and I started looking on the internet for a park.  

There was one not far that was listed as Mundo Hot Springs.   Hot Springs........just our cup of tea.  But, then after the last one we started making our wish list.  Walt wanted green grass and was hoping for some TV to watch the Olympics.  I was hoping for a real pool for the hot springs and decent internet. 

Hmmm. The sign off the highway pointed us through farmland.

We have scored...........green grass for Walt.  Plus we can only get 3 channels on TV.  NBC and NBC affiliates but that means the Olympics.  Good internet and much more.

 A wonderful pool to soak in.

Naked ladies outside our door.  

They just burst forth from the earth ready to bloom  

Right behind us is a field with horses.  What a treat.  Meet Banjo and Sweet Pea.

This is Bud.

Shady spot under the trees to read, watch the horses or just watch the world go by.  We would recommend Mundo Hot Springs for anyone traveling in this area.  

Lots of hours have been spent watching the Olympics.  I so admire these athletes and their hard work and dedication to achieve their goals.  Over and over I say "how did they do that?"  Proud of the USA teams and how many medals they have received. 

Nearby is the small town of Cambridge.  When we spend time in an area we try to participate in local activities.  We enjoy interacting with the local residents and in a small way maybe our spending money there instead of at Walmart or Target helps their economy some. 

Cambridge was holding an auction as a fund raiser to help a local resident with medical bills.  They had a spaghetti lunch before the auction and the donation jar was overflowing.  It seems the auction was a success and I was so impressed with their willingness to support their neighbor.  We bought a couple small items and I couldn't resist this purse.  It is a concealed carry bag and me with no gun.  But who knows what the future will bring.  

Not sure if he was a mascot or just lost.

The day ended with a pig roast (delicious) and chicken poop bingo.  A day well spent.

 

Near the RV Park is one of the entrances to the Weiser River Trail.  It is Idaho's longest rail-trail. 

The trail follows the Weiser River for 85 miles from Weiser to New Meadows.  

The trail is used by hikers, bikers, horses and in the winter cross country skiers.

 

The portion we were on was amid farms and ranches.  This little one was separated from Mom by being on the wrong side of the fence & Mom was bawling loudly.   We couldn't see a route back to the other side but by the time we came back on our ride they were reunited. 

Love this rusty barbed wire.  It would be a great yard accessory. 

A fun ride and I will admit that Walt rode circles around me.  He went another day too but I stayed home and read.  Going no carbs has given him too much energy!  Next up a couple day trips.

 

THE OREGON GARDEN

This is the main reason I wanted to come to Silverton.  The Oregon Garden is located here.

Their beautiful posts on Facebook have tempted me for several months now.

The Oregon Garden is an 80 acre botanical garden right in the the town of Silverton.  They had several Art in the Garden displays while we were there. This area was full of colorful garden stakes.

I think that Jill Torberson was the artist that made these whimsical flowers.

The garden is owned by the non-profit Oregon Garden Foundation. 

The Garden is a cooperative effort with the city of Silverton.  Silverton had a problem in treating their wastewater to be put back into the creek because it was too warm.  The Wetlands Habitat was created which cools the City of Silverton’s treated waste water through a series of pools that then goes back into the creek. Using the treated wastewater from the city the garden is one of only a few installations in the United States that reuses wastewater for irrigation and water features.  No city water is used so they have no water expense. 

There are about 20 different gardens within the garden.  This is one of four reflecting pools in the Bosque.

The scents in the Sensory Garden made me want to get a book, sit down and spend the day.

The Water Garden is chock full of plants and there is a cascading waterfall feature.

The Northwest Garden is full of plants that thrive in the local area.  Their artistry in layering the plants was amazing.  

The Tropical Garden House was full of plants that thrive in warmer climates.  I was fascinated by the snail like curl of this begonia leaf.  

It was a little late for the Rose Garden but there were still a few pretty blossoms.

The Children's Garden has fanciful shaped topiaries. 

My favorite in the Children's Garden.  A Hobbit House! 

The Market Garden showcases products grown in the Willamette Valley.

Much of the produce from the Market Garden is used in the Restaurant at the Oregon Garden Resort.  We had a very nice lunch there amid a plant filled setting. The food was very fresh and good.  

 

So many dazzling blooms. The Dahlia's kept me captive for a very long time.  They are the most amazing flowers.  They come in so many types, single flowers, anemone flowered, waterlily flowered, balls, pompoms and on & on.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 But for me at the Oregon Garden this is the star of the show.  The Conifer Garden. 

A year round garden that offers interest without being dependent upon blooms.

The Oregon Garden boasts one of the largest collections of dwarf and miniature conifers in the United States. 

Some are one-of-a-kinds and have been collected from around the world.

The garden also includes a variety of companion plants such as Japanese maples, Daphnes, heathers and heaths.

Such a tranquil and peaceful garden.  I am so happy we included this stop on our trip this year. 

Layer upon layer of flowers and foliage.  This is a special place.

There is beauty in every corner of the garden.  Happy hours spent here.

Someone there was having a bad hair day!

Just outside the garden grounds is the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Gordon House.  They offer tours but we did not go this time.  Leaves it open for a future visit.  It was originally located adjacent to the Willamette River near Wilsonville, Oregon. When its 2001 owners intended to destroy it, the Frank Lloyd Wright Conservancy obtained a three-month reprieve to dismantle it and move it to the Oregon Garden that is about 21 miles southeast of its original location.

 

Time to head further a little bit south and east to the Terrebonne/Redmond OR area. 

We spent a few lovely days visiting Saxon, Don & their daughter, April, and husband Nick, children Chelsea & Nate.  What a great family.  We were very spoiled with their hospitality.  Oh, the delicious food.

April and Nick graciously let us park GypsyII on their side street that faced this pretty view. 

 That amazing yard belongs to their neighbor, Maria.

Maria does all of the work in the yard that is filled with flowers, vegetables, fruit trees, berries, herbs and more.  She shares her produce and keeps the garden club supplied with plants.  A very generous lady.

 One of the days when I miss a yard.

 Saxon and granddaughter, Chelsea, served as tour guides for us at Smith Rock State Park. 

Smith Rock State Park has majestic rock spires that tower above the winding Crooked River.

That path to the top is called Misery Ridge.

It is an internationally renowned destination for rock climbing.

Climbing is very dangerous so instruction is critical.  At Smith Rock they start them young.


With my fear of heights I so admire people who can do this.  I was hoping to see climbers while we were here and there were plenty on the rocks for me to watch. 

Eruptions, lava flows and erosion has sculpted these massive cliffs.

These were Walt's favorite formations.  Raised his curiosity about how they could have been formed.

Mother Nature outdid herself with this beauty.  

Plenty of oohs and aahs here.  Such a nice time visiting friends and exploring the area.  

Back on the road we are on our way to Walla Walla, WA.

Gold is the new Green for roadside views.

Soon we were following the mighty Columbia River.

Parked on the green, green grass at Four Seasons RV Park in Walla Walla, WA for a couple nights.  Time for some lazy days, laundry and marathon Olympic watching.

A drive by of the house we lived in in the early 70's.  There was no privacy fence in front of the huge windows when we lived there.  There was a nice green lawn out there.   This is where we lived when Kevin was working on his golf shot and put a golf ball through our aquarium and we had a very wet carpet and lots of flip flopping fish.  We spent some time driving around locating where Walt's Red Steers had been located and where some places brought back old memories.  Walla Walla was and is a nice small town. 

Next up visiting with family and exploring an area we have just passed through without stopping in years past. 

"Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help.  Gardening is an instrument of grace."

                                                                                                May Sarton

 

Moving On.......Coos Bay to Silverton

After leaving Port Orford we spent a few days in Coos Bay.  We stayed at the Mill Casino RV Park.  Very nice and very convenient.

It gave us the opportunity for some final beach time.  I had really enjoyed Sunset Bay Beach when we were there last year so it was nice to go back.

It is such a protected little cove that there is no wind and it is so warm.  Not to mention how pretty it is. Perfect.

A little further south along the coast is Simpson Reef.

From the overlook at Simpson Reef is where you can see (and HEAR) hundreds of seals and sea lions.  Their antics make us smile.

One last glimpse of a lighthouse this year.  This is as close as you can get to Cape Arago Lighthouse.  It is located on an island offshore.

Then it was time to head inland through the lush green canopy of trees.  Our destination is Silverton, OR.

Lots to see along the road.  How can these elk not have a headache with those huge antlers? 

Soon we are in farm land.

 

 The fields on the rolling hills look like works of art.

Silverton is a small city of around 10,000 on the 45th parallel.  We had been there in the  late 70's visiting friends who lived there for awhile but our memories of the town are pretty faint.

The Silverton area is home to miles and miles and miles and miles of Christmas tree farms.  The trees range from tiny little seedlings to great big tall ones.

Silverton is named after Silver Creek that flows from Silver Falls.

Silver Creek runs right through town.  What a pretty sight. 

Silver Falls State Park has 10 waterfalls.  This is North Falls.  I think Oregon wins the waterfall contest.

Near Silverton is the small town of Mt. Angel.

Being in Mt. Angel is like stepping back in time to a village in Germany.  The Mt. Angel Oktoberfest is the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

My favorite thing I found is the Der Maibaum (May Pole) that is located in mid town.  It is the "Tree of Trades."  It is a symbol of the community of Mt. Angel.  It displays the symbols of businesses, services and skills of the people of Mt. Angel.  The lowest branches honor the spiritual and intellectual foundations as the churches and schools.  It moves up showing symbols of the many jobs and skills in the town.  Displayed at the top is a golfer that is a skill practiced by many of the citizens of Mt. Angel.   

Mt. Angel is home to the Mt. Angel Abbey and I had read that it was a very serene setting.  Hmmmm......it looks like I will have to climb these stairs to have serenity.

Serenity it is!  Worth the climb up those stairs.  While I was there there was no human movement.  Total quiet except for the birds.  The Abbey is a Catholic seminary, university, and community of Benedictine monks that was established in 1882 from the Abbey of Engelberg, Switzerland.  

 The grounds are shaded by huge trees of many different kinds.  The view out over the valley was extraordinary.  I just couldn't get a good photo of it because it was early afternoon and there was nothing but sun glare in the pictures.  Pretty pretty place.  They have an extensive library and museum that the public can visit but I did not do so.  After reading that the museum has a large collection of  hairballs (one being a 2 1/2 pound extraction from a hog's stomach) I was a bit relieved I did not take the time to visit.  Next up the number 1 reason we came to Silverton, OR.

 "Only spread a fern-frond over a man's head and worldly cares are cast out, and freedom and beauty and peace come in." 

John Muir

 

 

A Foggy Day At The Ocean Is Still A Day At The Ocean!

Most days during our stay have been bright and sunshiny.  The wind blows but the sun shines most often.

When a foggy day came it didn't keep us inside.  The fog made everything seem a little mysterious.

Edges and colors are all softened.

This wasn't a fog that burned off as the day went on.

Battle Rock Beach was softly obscured with the mountains holding onto the clouds.

Garrison Lake looked a little spooky.

Agate Beach was grey and grouchy.

The tide was coming in and filling the tide pools.

This spot looked like it was somewhere north in the middle of winter.

This is what the ground looks like on Agate Beach.  I can see a couple agates and I can't resist those perfectly polished little egg shaped rocks.

Agate Beach has a lot of crab remains that something has feasted upon. 

The deer must have thought that it was permanent dawn or dusk because they were everywhere. 

Yes, hop right on in the car.  

The moisture in the air seemed to make the flowers glow.

 You don't even have to touch the lavender on a day like this to trigger that wonderful smell.  

Foggy days don't last.  The remainder of our stay were either soft sunshine or get in your face brilliance.

I am having a hard time thinking that soon we won't be able to sit and gaze out at the ocean at this spot watching the whales that did not migrate and have made this area home.

Hard to think that soon we won't be able to go across town and watch the activity at the dock or savor the incredible colors that are in the water there.  

One last sunset trip to three local beaches.

Paradise Beach that I renamed Angry Beach was blue and moody.

The beach at the dock was muted pastels.

Battle Rock Beach was captivating.

The colors changed minute by minute.

I am melancholy about leaving this area.  People we have met have been welcoming, the activities we have taken part in have been fun, the beauty is unmatched, and every day I seem to see some event coming up or a place we have missed that makes me know our time here needs to be repeated.

I am thinking two months next year.  Let's see what the future brings.

Time to be back on the road.

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO, THERE YOU ARE! Buckaroo Banzai