June, 2024
I’ll be hitching up and heading home this morning. I don’t want to go!
So instead of hitching up, I found a few other things to see this morning before getting the trailer rigged and then heading out. I do need to be out of the campground by noon, but there’s plenty of time to do just a bit more exploration this morning, right? Why hurry when there’s no point in hurrying and worrying? 🙂 There’s more exploring to do!
So here’s what I did. The image below shows the Deschutes River coming from the south and emptying into the Columbia River. You can see the road and rail bridges that cross the Deschutes just as it empties into the Columbia. The RED DOT on the right is where Towhee the Trailer is camped. The RED STAR on the left is where I stood this morning to take photos (and one video) while looking back across the Deschutes at the campground. The RED ARROW points to a large boat ramp on the Deschutes.
Ok, let’s go see what I saw.
In the photo below, I had driven around to the west side of the Deschutes (to the red star position) and am looking directly back at the campground across the Deschutes. I was hoping I might catch a glimpse of Towhee the Trailer, but it looks like there are too many trees. Sure is pretty though.
I zoomed in closer with the camera, to the right of those tall trees, nope no Towhee.
Then a little further to the left, nope, no Towhee.
Then I zoomed in more amongst those tall trees, nope no … wait a minute! Ok, I might see something!
Ah ha, yes! Zooming in even more (below). You can ignore the white truck in the front, that’s not my truck. But right behind that white truck, you can see a travel trailer with a spare tire on the back of it … a spare tire that has a black cover and a red Canadian Maple Leaf on it … which belongs to a lovely travel trailer made in Canada … yep, that’s Towhee the Trailer!
That was fun. 🙂
Then I took a video with my camera. You’ll hear the road noise from the big four-lane I-84 just past the local road. But you’ll also hear the birds. And you’ll see a bit of Moody Island in the middle of Deschutes River that is home to many, many birds. And then you’ll see the boat launch area.
So, boats and trucks. That piqued my interest. 🙂 Turns out there was a group of people just loading up to take a raft trip down a portion of the Columbia River. I knew this was a common haul-out area for raft trips coming down the Deschutes, over the rapids of the Deschutes, that would then haul-out here at this boat launch area. But I didn’t realize there were raft trips that started here and then went out onto the Columbia.
All of this gear would be loaded into the pickup trucks and driven to each night’s destination. This reminded me of a couple of river rafting trips I’ve taken and enjoyed. Great adventures.
I chatted a bit with one of the trip leaders, but not long. She was willing to chat, but I knew she was busy … and she didn’t argue when I thanked her and then I moved along.
Even after that little outing across the Deschutes River, I still had extra time this morning. There were many things I saw on this camping trip that were new to me, or that particularly enthralled me … one of them was seeing truly magnificent mountains every day that I was here … Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens in Washington on the drive down, and Mt. Adams (Washington) and Mt. Hood (Oregon) during my stay here in Oregon. Mt. Hood wasn’t that far away from where I was. I decided to take a drive and get closer if I could. Take a look!
I drove west a bit from the campground, back into the green trees of the Cascade Mountains, then I drove south a bit through forests and farm land and was blessed with a perfect day of perfect weather, with the sun behind me to the east, and then this absolutely perfect view of the east side of Mt. Hood. What a majestic mountain.
And yes, it too is a volcano, and yes, it too is overdue for eruption, yikes.
That was super. I sure want to come back and see more of Mt. Hood. But now it’s definitely time to head back to the campground and get that trailer hitched up then head home.
I tidied up, hitched up, got everything double-triple checked and off I went towards home.
On my drive west along the Columbia River with the trailer in tow, I had one more mountain view … this time of Mt. Adams in Washington to the north.
So much to see here in the Pacific Northwest, and so little time! 🙂
I hope you enjoyed this trip to the Deschutes River in Oregon. I sure did. It’s on my list for a return trip, including one entire day to drive the canyon road south right along the Deschutes River. And take a raft trip down the Deschutes! Stay tuned. 🙂
The mountains are stunning! Amazing how they seem to pop right up out of a field, they aren’t part of a ridge, just individual huge mountains. How do they do that?
Ha, indeed, that sure is what they look like, Tim. These mountains over here aren’t part of a long line of mountains, they are each individual mountains standing all on their own. They weren’t formed by tectonic plates shifting, land masses rising, etc. They are volcanoes. They were created millions of years ago when they started to build because of the “tube” of heat and lava and rock. I know that Mt. St. Helens (who blew her top just a few years ago) is now rebuilding, there’s a dome inside that is rising and rebuilding that volcanic mountain. It’s really impressive stuff to be alive to watch that process. I was in Portland, Oregon, when Mt. St. Helens blew … I was out on my patio and SAW it blow. It’s fascinating stuff. Thanks Tim, great question and thoughts. 🙂
Pretty cute about spotting your trailer. Maybe she snuck over to an open spot so she would be seen! 🙂
Nevada, I didn’t think of that! That SHE snuck over so she would be visible. I wouldn’t put it past her. 🙂 She does like to be noticed.
The mountains are grand! How you drive us all over the place and always show us the areas around where you’re camped is super. Feel like I’ve been there. Loved the little sneaky view of Towhee the Trailer. 🙂
Thanks Kinny. 🙂
What a pretty campground. Was the road noise noticeable inside the campground? Obviously, out in the open it would be, but was it quieter in amongst the trees?
Oh, my, the mountains!!
That road noise in the video was not heard inside the campground. The campground was a bit lower than the road, and there were a lot of trees between the highway and the campsites. Oh, I suppose sitting outside, I could hear a little road noise, but not much … and I heard nothing inside my trailer.
Ah, yes, the mountains!!
I’ve climbed so many mountains (tho not those monster ones!) and hiked and lived on so much higher elevation country in Washington and Oregon and Idaho. But I’ve never explored down around water, rivers, the coast, Puget Sound. Your photos and maps are great. Really appreciate what you share here. I’m seeing new adventures.
Well, I’ve spent so much of my life on the water, at lower elevations, that I’m finding so many new adventures AWAY from the water, inland, and in amongst mountains. 🙂 You head down to the water, and I’ll head up into the mountains, we’ll wave as we pass each other. Thanks Steve. Gosh you must have so many stories to tell.
What a beautiful place. I’ve been in campsites where I hated to pack up and leave too. My dog Katie felt the same way and would get upset when I started emptying the tent.
Katie knew what was real, and what she liked, and what made you happy. One smart cookie. Why leave paradise? It’s sure nice to think about her.
Love the mountains. I’ve seen them from the highways here in Washington, but also from the waters of Puget Sound when I’m on my boat. I’ve seen Mt. Hood when driving along the Columbia. But wow did you get a closeup view!! Even though they are all volcanoes, they sure look different from one another. Of course, Mt. St. Helens blew her top off just a few years ago so she looks way different. Thanks. This blog is great.
Thanks Mark. 🙂 Me too … all that boating stuff. It’s great being able to get a different look now, from another perspective. On the other hand, I sigh and remember great times when I drive by the water.
You find places of spirit. 🙂
It seems that, when I listen, they come … or maybe they’ve always been here and I’m now noticing them. Thank you Mary.
Indeed, you find spectacular places. Both campgrounds and things to see in the area around where you’re camped. Your photos are super. Really nice photos of the truck and trailer at the end. You take such good care of both the truck and trailer and it shows.
Really nice bunch of “people/women” at that boat launch. Yes? 🙂
Ah yes, the raft trip folks. Yes, they were all women, the people taking the trip and the trip leaders as well. It was a group of professional women from one large employer (I’ve forgotten who). They were having a blast!! Lots of laughter and joy and camaraderie. The trip leader I chatted with said there were lesbians and straight women in the group, they all knew all that about each other, and no one cared, they were just having a great time. How refreshing! 🙂
This has been a great trip. I like playing hide and seek with towhee the trailer.
I,too, like the mountains. Especially the large ones like Hood, Adams, St Helens, Rainier and Baker. They are each one so distinctive, each has his own personality.
I had never seen Mount Hood from the East. It looks like it could have been transported here from the Alps. Mount Adams looks like it could be a relative of Mount Fuji. Mount Saint Helens lost her beauty when she blew her top! Mount Rainier is an ice cream cone. And Mount Baker…? Well, Mount Baker is the fairest of them all!😊
Ah, Fritzi, nice comment … about mountains having their own personality. It’s so true. “lost her beauty when she blew her top” … lol! indeed. And, yes, Mount Baker is the fairest of them all, no doubt about it. Thank you. And towhee the trailer thanks you too. 🙂
What fun. Loved every bit of this trip. 🙂
Thanks Sesapa. I’m glad you’re riding along. 🙂