Back to California

I got up early and headed south from Crater Lake through Klamath Falls, catching a great Farmers' Market for brunch and a few family gifts before continuing on to Redding. 

Distinct and familiar landmark for anyone driving south on I-5

Playing cards at the cabin, yes, my sister Amy beat me repeatedly. Is there anything as beautiful as listening to water lap up against an old wooden dock as the sun rises?

Continuing south, I took a few days and took the long way back to Southern California through Lassen National Park and the high desert via Hwy 395. 

Lassen was gorgeous, as usual, and I even got a rainstorm! 

Campgrounds were full so I took advantage of dispersed camping on Forest Service land outside the park.

Memories ...  Summit Lake South

Heading toward June Lake and Mammoth, traffic started to increase. I can't blame people for wanting to get out to these beautiful areas and hey, I'm a tourist too, but I was missing the wide open spaces of Wyoming and Montana.

I drove the narrow, windy road down to the Devil's Postpile National Monument trailhead and appreciated that dogs are allowed on most hikes.

It is hard to believe that this is a natural phenomenon but it is! Top of the "postpile"  Bloom where you are planted, right?

Pondering the great outdoors, as usual  Familiar color palette as you continue down 395

Back in Southern California, Kathleen joined me for a quick trip to San Onofre State Park and the adventure continues ...

Out and Back Into the Mountains

Although I can appreciate the desert and wide open fields, I realize that I am a mountains, forest, lakes, and streams kind of person. Northern Idaho was beautiful and then I started working toward the southwest through eastern Washington and Oregon. The wide open fields were nice but it got dryer and warmer each day. 

Wallace, Idaho

Nice little mountain town of about 950 people

Cloudy day in Coeur d'Alene

Migloiore Olive Oil shop with tastings of imported olive oils
and vinegars from all over the world. I picked up a variety for Amy and Gerald.

University of Idaho at Moscow

Oldest original courthouse in Washington State in friendly, small town of Dayton, Washington

Dayton offers free RV parking at a beautiful tree-lined park so I found a shaded spot and wandered the small downtown area for a meal. If it's good enough for Lewis and Clark, it's good enough for me.

Unexpectedly, I ran across this well-built "quarantine cabin" constructed by a family for their son returning to Dayton from the Spanish-American War...

The topography change was gradual

Northeastern Oregon near Pendleton

(I actually arrived through North Entrance but missed the sign so stopped for Hannah's album on the way out) Snow on the Rim Trail

The gorgeous blue of Crater Lake is hard to capture on camera. Nice site at Mazama Village Campground

I had been at the campground for about half an hour when ashes started falling from the sky and a ranger rushed through, ordering everyone to evacuate immediately by foot. The tension was sickeningly familiar to me after the Carr Fire evacuation but thankfully my campsite neighbor was good company and the fire turned out to be contained quickly; a result of a burning car. We were able to return to our sites within a few hours. So thankful no one was hurt. 

The fire spread to about 10 trees. Car and bicycles were destroyed
but a visiting fire crew was able to respond immediately.

We were both a little shaken by the experience

Wyoming and Montana

What a great visit with my sister in Jackson! She's busy with work so I planned my arrival for the weekend and we fit a lot into three days. The air was fresh and cool which allowed us to spend a lot of time hiking the hills, strolling downtown, and of course eating, drinking, talking, and laughing. We even fit in some deep discussions of Star Trek episodes from the original series which, happily are now on Netflix. 

Beautiful trail network about 3 minutes from her front door 

Fish Tacos at StillWest Brewery

Vertical indoor garden since growing season is so short

We walked miles and wore Hannah out. Most places
are dog-friendly so she napped all over town.

By Monday morning, I headed out, over Teton pass and north toward Montana. Decades ago, Missoula was on my short list of potential places to live so that was my next destination. It did not disappoint. In fact, rolling along in the van, with cool weather, spectacular scenery, and good classic rock ballads playing, I felt one of those inexplicable waves of joy and contentment that stuck with me for awhile. 

Historic District, Butte, Montana

Surfers and kayakers in downtown Missoula enter the river upstream and float down to this spot to play.

University of Montana at Missoula

Supporting local business

The day ended at a beautiful Forest Service campground
along the banks of the Clark Fork of the Columbia River

The next morning, after the sun came up to warm things a bit, we continued...