The silence was deafening. And exactly what we were looking for. Day to day life had, in recent weeks, become exhausting. Yes, a certain amount of angst is simply due to restlessness in our quest to return to the road. But busy days at work, many chores at home, and spending most weekends away from home, the last admittedly self induced, had created an intense need to not just go away…but to get away.
Away from cell service, away from people, away from the cares of the world.
The old guys across the way looked on in awe, somewhat startled to see us donning fake mustaches and posing for pictures with martini’s in hand. Next up, several rounds of ladderball, still with cocktails in hand. Yes, it’s right, we have taken camping to a whole different level!
We recently camped at East Lake, in Central Oregon, for the first time and what a joy! Sitting at 6500ft elevation, in the Newberry Crater, it is absolutely a summer outing, but the gorgeous lake, high desert landscape, and endless night skies, more than make up for the chill in the air.
“We’re sorry, but we’re not going to make it this weekend”. The words rang hollow as we prepared to head to the beach for a weekend of camping with friends. Barview Jetty was the destination to join our dear friends Ron and Dario. Our friends Dave and Anne decided they would come along. Next Dario’s childhood friend Sheila and her boyfriend Randy thought they would make the trip as well. But on Thursday afternoon, Ron let it be known that they would not be joining us.
Three weeks back from vacation, my mind is still swirling with all the stories I need to write. Although our road trip was a mere 17 days, we experienced such extraordinary diversity, it’s been challenging to put it all into words. First, a few facts:
Miles Driven: 3055
We just can’t get enough of Timothy Lake. Once again, as our anniversary neared, we eagerly anticipated another amazing weekend in high mountain lake country.
We escaped rainy Portland for points east, making one of our favorite drives along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway, destined for one of our favorite camping spots, LePage Park. A mere two hours east of Portland it is a whole different world, with dramatic cliffs and a dramatically drier climate! Perfect for early spring camping. Although the ever-present wind was much in evidence, the sunshine, good friends and great food were the perfect recipe for weekend bliss.
As frequent campers, we are always in search of the right tools. With all of our extensive BBQing, dutch oven cooking, and campfires, tongs are an often used, and handy tool. Thus, we were thrilled to see our friends at Life Remotely had come up with the ultimate expedition tongs. Apparently bored after completing their drive down the PanAm Highway and finishing their wonderful camp cookbook, Forks in the Road, they decided to create the perfect tong duo.
As I stepped out of the camper, I saw Jim already had a warming fire roaring. Porter, luxuriating in the warmth of his new coat, lay curled up on his camp pad asleep. Aspen inched closer to my chair, ever the lap Lab, wanting to be as close as possible.
Snow days. A rarity in Portland. Having grown up in small town Minnesota, I am familiar with bad winter weather. It’s a big part of the reason I no longer live there. Here in Oregon, where we are quite famous for our dreary, rainy winters, and any real accumulation of snow is a bit of excitement.
