August 2024 – Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
As I was driving to my next destination, Crater Lake National Park, I could see the Middle Fork fire in the distanceYou can see how the smoke has affected the views of Crater Lake from the rim, the color of the lake and the air quality. Discovery Point hike was easy and because of the fire there was nobody else there.I stayed in Mazama Campground on the southwest side of the park. I hiked Lady of the Woods Trail, Castle Crest Wildflower Trail and Godfrey Glen Trail. Pine, spruce, hemlock trees and wildflower meadows were rejuvenatingFascinating geology related to the climactic eruption of Mt. Mazama 7700 years ago. The event created a huge hole into which the mountain collapsed. These are “pinnacles” found when gas escaped the hot ash flows. ” Heat hardened the material around each vent, like a chimney, and erosion of soft rock has revealed their shapes” This from written material provided for this hike.Part of the East Rim Road is closed for construction so I drove to the end of the road and Phantom Ship Point. You can see the little island in the lake and notice that the smoke was still affecting the sky and color of the lake.A little better view from Sun Notch Point.I hiked the Sun Notch Point trail twice. The sun had come out and enhanced the color of the rocks and lake with the lightBecause I will never hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail, I hiked out and back about two miles on a segment that crossed the road. Just north of the campground, the trail is closed because of the Middle Fork fire. I really want this piece of a tree in my next cabin in the forest.Before leaving Crater Lake National Park, I hiked the Annie Creek Canyon Trail. As the lone hiker in the early morning, I enjoyed the sound of the rushing water and the smell of the pine trees. A beautiful morning!Trying to leave the smoke behind, I camped on Odell Lake which had more dense smoke from another fire nearby. Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail had to shuttle around the fires because the trail was closed. I was happy to move further north to the town of Sisters, Oregon.Biking on the backroads around town, you can barely see the “Three Sisters” which are obscured by more smoke. In Willamette Valley, the smoke disappeared. I spent three days exploring different wineries in the region. Native Flora has an idyllic setting and delicious wines. I was able to spend some time with the owner’s mother, Donna Cortese. She is in her 90s and has led a colorful life evidenced by her hobby of painting. She was an inspiration to me. The “Spruce Goose,” a Howard Hughes’ designed transport plane, is housed at the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon. It and many other vintage aircraft are beautifully displayed inside and outside. It was fun to see and learn.The first stop on the Columbia River Gorge was Multnomah Falls.Horsetail Falls is not for down the road leading to my next campground. I rode on a bike trail to see several other waterfalls. My campsite was 20 feet from the railroad tracks making for a fitful sleep.The next day I hiked the same trail so I could get closer to the river and enjoy amazing views of the Columbia River GorgeThis “Hole in the Wall” waterfall was hard to find. The water literally comes out of a hole in the rock wall. Maryhill, Washington boasts “Stonehenge”, a World War I memorial to 13 men from this area who perished in the war. The memorial was built by Samuel Hill as a copy of the original Stonehenge that he had visited in England. After visiting a wine tasting room in Walla Walla, Washington, I stopped overnight at a very small campground on the Touchet River. I would call it a stream but for the local children who were playing in the water, it was a summer paradise and an escape from the heat.Northeastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington look just like this. There are endless miles of fields of grain with shades of yellow, beige and light brown.Lewiston sits on the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers where the Lewis and Clark expedition returned to the water to continue their journey to the Pacific Ocean.At the Visitor Center at the Hell’s Gate State Park, this beautiful painting by the Native American artist, Sarah Penney, is on display.I rode along the levee by the Snake River and came upon this impressive bronze sculpture, “Tsceminicum.” It was commissioned to celebrate the Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition and depicts, “earth mother” with native wildlife of the Snake River on one side and Clearwater River on the other.The high point of my ride into the town of Lewiston was several creative murals covering the sides of many now abandoned buildingsFurther north, Heyburn State Park was a delightful bonus. It sits right on the Coeur d’Alene paved bike path that courses 70 miles along the lake and adjacent lands. As I was gliding along the path, I had to do a double take when I passed a mamma moose and her young one.The park also had several hiking trails. This hike took me up to Indian Cliffs where you can look out over the gorgeous landscape.Round Lake State Park in Northern Idaho let me get my kayak back in the water and enjoy the afternoon on the lake.I camped in Catalda for two nights so I could ride more of the Coeur d’Alene trail. I rode west the first day along the Coeur d’Alene river and then along lily ponds. I spotted a few great blue herons on the ride.This moose was so much fun to watch. She spent hours just eating in the pond. I stopped on my way out and back to take some photos and a video. She was the highlight of the ride. The following day I rode east. The Gap Rock Stop was the most attractive scenery going in this direction. I passed several small towns, trailer parks and industry. I rode through Smelterville and with a name like that you can guess what is there. The toxic waste from mining etc have contaminated the water and earth and there are warning signs all along the trail with safety recommendations.I drove through majestic forests on my way to Montana. I arrived at our home for the next few days.The house sits above the Blackfoot River. It is a perfect location for relaxation and renewal. Chris and Natalie met me here and we will be celebrating his 35th birthday with friends.I was surprised to see all the colors of the rainbow in the river bed. The water level is now 1/3 of what it is in the spring and the rocks are now exposed. Christopher celebrated his birthday surrounded by many dear friends, lots of games, beer, food from his favorite Missoula restaurants and even a cake.
