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| Our personal path to the lake |
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| Val and Hatch at the base of the Cayuse Crater - Broken Top trail |
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| Ernie and Hatch enjoying Senoj Lake |
In the Three Sisters Wilderness, we had a wonderful visit with Val and Hatch and we were able to take several hikes and visit a local museum in Bend while she was there. (Unfortunately, Joe was unable to join us due to a broken hand and foot.)
Our first hike on Saturday (8 miles RT) on the Six Lakes Trail from the Cascade Hwy to Senoj Lake was perfect with its multiple lakes and meadows perfectly spaced about 1 mile apart. The trail was ideal for Hatch with multiple places to swim, cool off and chase sticks. Few people and dogs passed us and with the heat of 85, the shade and density of the forest provided plenty of places to retreat from the sun.
| The Six Lakes Trailhead - Happy dog, happy Val! |
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| Blow Lake respite - where sticks are abundant |
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| The perfect dog lake - Senoj Lake - warm, shallow and plenty of mud! |
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| A little big - but this'll work! |
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| Family fun |
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| Happy hikers! |
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| Davis Lake - ideal for a lunch break |
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| Just one more time - please! |
Our campsite at Rock Creek - Crane Prairie Reservoir worked out perfectly. Val and Hatch shared the site next to us and, for most of the weekend, we had the entire loop to ourselves!
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| Peaceful waters - the snags provide ideal habitat for Cormorants and Osprey |
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| The full moon rises slowly |
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| Campsite perfection |
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| Let's not swim right now - OK? |
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| Dusk descends over the water |
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| Sunset over the reservoir |
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| Scallops and pasta dinner - yum! |
On Sunday, we toured the High Desert Museum just outside of Bend, Oregon. The exhibits on early pioneer life in the area, native peoples and and animal habitats were informative and well-executed. We were also quite impressed by the lovely sculptures placed throughout the park area. That afternoon we enjoyed a delightful lunch at the Deschutes Brewery where Val and Ernie test tasted the local brew.
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| Mare and foal sculpture of barbed wire |
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| Elk stag battle for supremacy - sculpture |
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| Modern convenience |
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| River otter |
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| Room to spare |
For Val's final day, we hiked the Todd Lake trail and the Broken Top trail to the Cayuse Crater at the base of Broken Top mountain (9 mi. RT). It surprised us that even in early fall, how much water is still available in streams and lakes in the area. This was a perfect hike for us with a combination of subalpine forests, volcanic ash/pulverized pumice on the hillsides, and the peaks of the Three Sisters, Bachelor Mtn, and Broken Top surrounding us in all directions.
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| Asters were still blooming in September |
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| Val and Hatch at the base of the crater |
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| Volcanic bomb - Val was so excited when she saw this! |
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| Ready to enter the crater |
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| Ernie and Hatch enjoying the meadow at the base of the volcano |
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| Our happy geologist and pal! |
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| Springs at the head of streams come out of nowhere at the base of the mountain |
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| From the top - a view of Sparks Lake in the distance |
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| On the way back - view of Mt. Bachelor |
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| Fungal growth in the forest |
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| Wildflowers still bloom |
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| A touch of fall color appears here and there |
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| Mom, Val and Hatch - Cayuse Crater |
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| Ernie and Nancy - exploring |
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| Happy Hatch |
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| Desolation from the eruption |
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| Life returns slowly |
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| Meadow oasis |
We spent out last night there enjoying a dramatic sunset over the lake. Sadly, we all left Three Sisters on Tuesday to begin heading home via the Mt. Shasta area.
Because of smoke and haze from the Northern California coastal and Lassen fires, we stayed that night in the Castle Crags area below Shasta, but drove back up to the town to enjoy a wonderful dinner of scallops and mushroom pasta at the delightful Trinity Cafe (where we have dined over the years).
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| The little Railroad RV park worked out fine for us that night |
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| RR snowplow - the size was impressive! |
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| Bittersweet end to our last day of hiking on our trip |
We arrived home safely on Wednesday evening September 10th. Everything was perfect. We are so appreciative for all the hard work our family did to keep our home and the gardens well-watered and beautifully maintained. How fortunate we are to have such a wonderful family!
In summary - Our trip - a total of 17,146 miles, 5 months one week in duration and hundreds of smiles later - all while living in 136 square feet of space (and we're still happily married). We camped the entire time with the exception of during our 11 day trip to Texas (before we picked up the trailer) and one night when we were skunked and could not find a suitable camping spot near Kelowna, British Columbia. Not bad for two "old foggies!"
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+++++ Count'em.......Congratulations BEST BLOG OF 2014! Outstanding job we are going to buy you dinner at the Lodge down the road when we see you next. (or anywhere else that suits your fancy....)
ReplyDeleteLoved the moon rise or the lake shot, the lava bubbles are rare, not seen in many places although I know they are visible at Golden Gate Rec area near the light house. Yes Oregon is green and lots of plants even in summer & fall because they usually get showers during the summer, its sort of like the midwest. Eastern eastern OR though is pretty much a desert.
It sure was nice seeing you all & Hatch hiking together....nothing like a dog for companionship is there.
Going to miss the Escape Rooute ll posts for sure....missing them already.
From Sonoma Co
With Love.
D.A. R.
Welcome back and Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteEvery Friday afternoon I treated myself to a little break from work and mentally escape with your blog!
I found myself looking forward to them each week and I hope to see an Escape Route 3 one day! There is so much to see out there and now you have the time.
You lucky kids!!
Ernie - you are missed daily around here but it puts the biggest smile on my face seeing you and Nancy traveling and enjoying life.....the best has only begin!
Peace,
Jan