Central Oregon

We arrived at Chris's house after only 3 1/2 hours drive from Portland and our decision to skip the coast was validated.  Sid had driven about all he could and was starting to be in some pain.  Luckily,  Chris's next door neighbor was home and did all the work of setting up for us.  Nice young man and his family!  They raise Bully Pit Bulls and it was a lot of fun watching them run around.

Chris was still in Portland, so we used the afternoon to rest and had an early dinner.  Oakridge, OR is a very small, one time logging community in the Cascade mountains.  Chris lives in an what used to be a forest service house, with 3 bedrooms, 1 bath and a full basement.  Quite a step up from some of his previous residences!  We really haven't done much since we've been here.  Plans for golfing and fishing were off the boards by necessity,  but it's been really wonderful seeing Chris every day.  He's busy, but manages to have dinner with us each night.  Our granddogs have been keeping us entertained!

Chillin' out with Chewy June

Pit Bull Love with Nipper and Chino

We did manage to take a drive the other day to Waldo Lake, a large high mountain lake near Oakridge.  It is the second largest lake in the state and the water is clear to a depth of over 100 feet.

Some lake views

There are campgrounds all around the lake, but they are meant primarily for tent camping.  On the way back, we stopped at Salt Creek.  By hiking just a bit into the woods, you're rewarded with this spectacular sight:

What starts out like this.....

ends in this!

This is a 286 ft waterfall!  Everywhere we've gone in Oregon this time has been beautiful, with these little (or not so little!) hidden gems.

Patiently waiting for me to get done gawking!

Moss grows on all the trees here

We're thinking about leaving here Friday or Saturday and heading back to Colorado.  How long it will take depends on how many  hours Sid can sit at a stretch.  He's healing slowly, but can only maintain a position for so long before he starts hurting.  So it will probably be a long slow haul.  Maybe we can find some adventures along the way!?  'Til next time.....