July Hikes in the Elkhorns

Thursday, July 28, 2011
Lakes Lookout

Rick & Ging atop Lakes Lookout;
 Van Patten Butte in background

Ging & Rick


Click HERE for pictures of this hike


     It is an absolutely GORGEOUS day with perfect temperatures for hiking as Rick and I take off for Anthony Lakes and a second attempt to get to the top of Lakes Lookout.  We tried this once before on the 7th of the month and were "snowed and stormed" out - lots of snow and a thunderstorm rolled in!  Today is perfect! 
     

Shooting stars

     We park in the ski area lot and hike up Road Run - a nice gradual grade as opposed to the Hoffer Lakes trail which we have taken many times.  The hillsides are thick with green and wildflowers: paintbrush, bluebells, lupine, shooting stars, marsh marigolds, buttercups, etc.  The higher we climb the better the views of the Anthony Peaks: Van Patten Butte, Gunsight, Angel and Lees Peaks, and Lakes Lookout.  


     At the top of the ski run, the vista is magnificent and I comment to Rick that the view is what would get me to ski again!  He reminded me you can always get a one trip lift ticket and we could snowshoe up here and then back down.  What a great idea!  We stop to scout out the best places to cut down from the top to drop into the Hoffer Butte area and on down to the lake.  


     The grade steepens considerably when you start up the actual Lakes Lookout trail, but it is only 3/4 mile long.  I am trying out one of Rick's hiking poles today - practicing for our Rocky Mt. hikes coming up in another week!  

Such green meadows and snowy peaks!

     There is still so much snow tucked into the pockets on the north side of Lees Peak and Lakes Lookout.  Way too much for a normal almost August weekend!  But while the snow has made early hiking difficult, it does make the views of the mountains awesome!  


     Finally we pass through the "notch" (between the two peaks of Lakes Lookout) and up the final ascent to the pole at the top.  We find another couple from Washington there, friends of Molly and John Wilson!  They leave shortly after and Rick and I spend about an hour on the summit gazing at the peaks, looking for mountain goats, and enjoying the sunshine!  

     Quicker descent back down, scrambling down some of the ski runs rather than taking the road all the way.  I did take a moment to use the hiking pole to etch a little message to my husband in the last remaining cornice at the top of the ski area! 


     Only about 4 miles total, but a good climb and a beautiful day on the mountain!  










Monday, July 25, 2011
Pine Creek/Maxwell Butte

Jed & Rick atop the saddle between Pine Creek & Cougar Basin

Jed & Rick 


Click HERE for pictures of this hike


Rick and Jed took a LONG hike from the bottom of Pine Creek up past Baisley Mine and up to the saddle between Pine Creek and Cougar Basin.  Jed then went on to the top of Maxwell Butte.  Total mileage was between 11 and 12 miles with over 4000 feet of elevation gain.  They were too tired boys when they returned to the house late that afternoon!  But reports were of spectacular flowers, incredible views both down and up valley, and questionable "road" conditions in places!  




Thursday, July 14, 2011

South Shore of Phillips Lake

Two cute hikers!

Click HERE for pictures of this hike

            Rick and I both ran away for the morning to enjoy what will probably be our last hike for the summer around Phillips Lake.  The upper elevations are finally opening up and we’ll be able to explore more in the “real” mountains, rather than at the lake.  But…..it is a glorious morning, not too hot, and the wildflowers are still out – due to the lateness of the spring! 

An Inuksuk for Luke

            We mostly just walk down the South Shore trail from the upper parking past the dam about 2 miles plus to the picnic table on the point.  The mountains are clear at times, but as the day progresses, the clouds begin to roll in!  Even in the past two weeks the lake has begun to drop from its high water mark of over 80,000 acre feet.  The high water killed the branches of trees that were submerged – even though it was only for a few weeks in places!  At the point I realized all the Inuksuks that we built last May after Erin’s wedding were probably under several feet of water, so I built a new one overlooking the lake and the Elkhorns!  Tagged for Luke if I ever figure out how to tag it!    

Wildflowers, reflections, and the Elkhorns!

            Flowers, flowers!  Lupine were starting to fade, but still glorious in the shady spots!  Yellow balsam root, paintbrush, pinedrops, yarrow, wild iris, wild carrot, wild strawberry, wild geraniums,  pussytails, and lots of “unidentified yellow daisy like flowers”!  Blue skies, and puffy clouds – what more can you ask for? 

            What more?  No ticks, but no such luck.  However, we only uncovered one each, so the season is improving from the 5-6 we pulled off in May!! 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bourne to Cracker Creek Saddle on Elkhorn Crest Trail

Old mine entrance

Click HERE for pictures of this hike

            Rick took off today to explore and hike from Bourne up to Cracker Creek Saddle on the Elkhorn Crest trail, near where the side trail takes off to Summit Lake, where we backpacked a couple of years ago.  We had wondered if you could shorten the route to Summit via the saddle, and from Rick’s report the answer is YES!  A steep final section just below the saddle, but probably only 5 miles from Bourne, rather than a 9-10 mile hike in from Anthony basin. 

            Just above Bourne, Rick passes the remains and remnants of the E&E Mine, and in the first part of the hike passes the railings of ore cart lines, old buildings, flumes, etc. all reminders of the mining days. 

Cases's Fitweed!

The wildflowers are glorious!  Columbines, marigolds,  mountain bluebells, shooting stars,and a new species for us – Case’s Fitweed.  When I first saw the picture I thought it was a type of corydalis, and it turns out that was correct, just not the kind I thought!  The fitweed is of the corydalis genus, however.  They are not common flowers, but one hillside was covered with the tall white plumes. 

            The road ascended at a fairly gentle grade for most of the miles, only getting steep at the very top of the valley.  Right near the top Rick encountered fields of snow, and one very imposing cornice!  He could see Mt. Ruth, Red Mt. and of course, the trail to Summit Lake, the Elkhorn Trail as it continued to Rock Creek and Twin Lakes, and down the valley back to Bourne. 

FOR EARLIER JULY HIKES CHECK OUT THE 28TH ANNIVERSARY BLOG. 

Sacramento Wedding Trip

July 21 to 23, 2011

All dressed up for the wedding!

Click HERE to view pictures from this weekend

            This is a ZIP ZIP ZIP TRIP!   Six hundred fifty or so miles down to Sacramento on Thursday, wedding for nephew Tom on Friday evening, and six hundred fifty miles back up to Baker City on Saturday!  But…..well worth the effort to be there for my nephew and my sisters and mom.  AND to finally MEET my the newest addition to the Taylor family! 

            We leave Baker City around 5:45 am with the sun rising over the hills of the Burnt River Canyon.  It promises to get warmer and warmer the further south we go!  But at least for the first part of the journey, the temps are moderate.  Stop in Ontario to switch drivers (Ginger got the first stage freeway!), gas up, and then the long lonely haul through southeast Oregon to Winnemucca.  If you need a rest stop or services on this stretch, they are few and far between.  Mostly long stretches of straight road and vast vistas of high desert. 

            We did see the still snowy east slope of Steen’s Mountain in the distance as we rounded the bend in Burns Junction.  Burns Junction, by the way, no longer  is anything OTHER than a junction.  The café, the gas station – all closed up with shutters flapping in the wind.  Lonely spot in SE Oregon.  

            Stop in McDermott, just inside the Nevada border, for lunch around 10:30 to dine at one of the two casinos in this border town populated mostly by the nearby Indian reservation. 

            Rick drives on down the 55 miles to Winnemucca where we gas up and I take the wheel.  It is getting warm!  Must have gotten too big a drink because 80 miles toward Reno, I have to stop for a potty break!  I had been dragging a little driving, but felt better after some carrots, but Rick misunderstood and took the wheel and then drove ALL THE REST OF THE WAY!  I felt bad, but glad I wasn’t driving over Donner Summit because I-80 was horribly chewed up in that stretch!  The mountains were glorious, however, and we spied the route of the railroad and decided a trip over the mountains would be awesome by train.  Will have to check into it! 

Pioneer Church in Gold Run, CA

            Rest stop just before the town of Gold Run, reveals the cutest little Pioneer Church as we prepare to go on the freeway on ramp.  Rick pulls into the pine covered lane and I take some pictures of the little chapel in the pines.  I’ll use it for the design of a doodle!  Then we take 10 minutes to explore Gold Run, but mostly find some gorgeous tiger lilies and a good place to photograph the mounds of vetch growing alongside the roads.

            We pull into the park in Rocklin around 5:20pm, just in time to help Mom and Tinny (Ron’s sister) to finish decorating for the Rehearsal Dinner party.  It is HOT!  We’re not used to 90’s this summer, and Mom certainly is not!  Tinny, from New Mexico, isn’t feeling so bad.   Jen has done a lot of work in helping Margaret prepare for the evening – big tissue paper flowers in the wedding colors of green and purple, lights, silverware wrapped, etc.  Friends bring over the food which was prepared by a local Mexican restaurant.  Looks good! 

            About 30 eat at the park – we meet much of Heather’s family and I discover the sister I have seen on Facebook is actually a TWIN sister!  Good meal of burrito makings, salsa, chips, salad, etc. 

            We finally arrive at Ron and Marg’s around 9pm, ready to drop for the day! But first we have to meet the dog menagerie!  Moette, a Hurricane Katrina rescued dog, Cocoa, another shelter dog that Marg & Ron saved, and then Marlow, Tom’s dog.  All big dogs!  Mo has the most expressive eyes, Cocoa ears that touch each other, and Marlow is fighting arthritis.  Makes life at Marg’s interesting!  Rick heads to bed within 45 minutes and after I help Marg pack away food, I call it a day at 11pm, deciding not to wait for Liz and Dave to show up!  They are flying in and renting a car for the weekend. 

Caught Mom by surprise!

            FRIDAY – I went back to sleep this morning, and finally arise at 7:30, thinking NO ONE is up because it is so quiet in the house!  Well, turns out Rick and I are the ONLY ones NOT up!  The dogs barked last night when Liz and Dave arrived, they barked this morning….we heard NOTHING!  Must have been tired! 

            We basically spend a lazy day on Friday visiting, Rick and I take a walk, we go swimming in Marg’s pool, and then spend time in the afternoon advising Marg on her hair, dress, etc. etc. !  Great fun!  Ron, Marg, and Mom take off around 4 to pick up Ron’s folks and then out to Rocklin for pictures.  We dress and drive out at 4:30 compliments of the rental car since Liz said “we don’t have to return it with a full tank of gas!” 

            It is HOT, so we sit in the car with the AC running for a half hour before heading in, only to find everyone has been waiting inside the reception area where the air is on!  Mike, Heather’s dad, announces there has been an accident out on the freeway, so we delay the start of the wedding for 15 minutes. 

Heather & her father

Heather & Tom

            Wedding ceremony is in a beautiful little SHADY glen with an arbor and lots of plants.  The officiate is a friend of Heather’s from college – this is his first wedding.  Reminded us of Luke last summer!  Short, sweet, and to the point!  Afterwards, we take some pictures while the photographer is taking some and then we head into the reception.  Heather and Tom take off to take a few on the golf course! 

Taylor Family

            Inside, it is much cooler!  Cameras on the tables and a little “I Spy” game make the time while waiting for pictures go a little faster!  Other nice touches – little signs saying Mrs. And Mr. on the head table, pictures of parents and grandparents wedding days on the “cupcake” table, centerpieces of mason jars with raffia bows, candles set in birdseed.  Lots of lavender sprays.  Outside on the patio the dance floor is set up, along with a photo show of pictures. 

            Dinner has been catered by the local BBQ joint – baked beans, cornbread, salad, and BBQ chicken, ribs, and tri-tip.  Good, but the FFA serves a more tender tri-tip.  Maybe that’s because it is local Baker beef!  Rick and I enjoy some time on the dance floor, and then pitch in around 10:45 after Tom and Heather leave to help clean up. 

            Late night into bed – around midnight.  It is warm in the room, so we leave the door open to get a better airflow with the fan.  I wake up around 6:30, close the door to keep the dogs out, (only to learn from Rick later that Cocoa had been ON THE BED at 5:30 and I never woke up!).  I then slept until…..8:30!!!!  Unheard of!  Incredible! 

My favorite of the quilts

            SATURDAY - Another lazy morning cleaning a few things up.  Around 10:45 we all pile into Marg’s van and attend the quilt show at the Arts Center.  Featured artist this month?  The Northminster Quilters!!  Some really nice work and fun to see names I recognized. 

Donner Lake and Sierra Nevada Mountains

            Back at 12:15 and by 1pm Rick and I are on our way back to Baker.  Jed pulled into town last night and we decide we might as well just hit the road and go home! 

Ginger, Margaret, Mom Mac, Liz

            Rick drives to Reno, I drive to Winnemucca, Rick to Burns Junction, I to Jordan Valley, and Rick to home.  Back in Baker by a couple minutes after midnight.  We stopped in Winnemucca for Subway sandwiches, enjoyed a beautiful SE Oregon sunset, and Rick talked with Luke for nearly an hour between Reno and Winnemucca!  But we are tired!!!  

28th ANNIVERSARY

Anniversary picture with Wallowas in background.  

VIEW all pictures from Anniversary!   


            Today Rick and I celebrated our 28^th wedding anniversary in the most normal of ways:  we took a hike!  After a thunderstorm aborted hike on Thursday and with today’s forecast perfect weather, we decided to try again.  Thursday we went up to Anthony Lakes with the hope of a climb of Lakes Lookout, but heavy snow and a rumbling roll of thunder as we approached the top of the ski lift ridge sent us scampering back down in haste to beat the rainfall. 

            So…today the skies were clear and the forecast warm but not hot.  Perfect.  But since we forgot to waterproof our boots (we were going to take the snowshoes with us for a second try), we decided to change directions and headed instead for Dooley Summit and Bald Mountain.  In fact, the day ended up warmer than I had planned!  I wore shorts on Thursday in the snow, and today donned long pants and was hot the whole time!  Go figure! 

Penstemon

Paintbrush

We got started hiking early, leaving the car at the summit around 8:30 am.  I quickly told Rick I thought the summit of Bald Mt. was doable in the time frame we had (Bountiful Baskets calling later in the afternoon!).  We set a steady pace up the steep uphill grade on the Skyline Road, passing lush forests of thick green grass and frequent patches of balsam root and red paintbrush.  Lupine in bloom all along the road as well. Early on we saw a deer above us on the ridge.  Butterflies in shades of blue, orange, and white fluttered in the road and from flower to flower.  We identified today the following wildflowers:  paintbrush, penstemons, harebells, mountain bluebells, larkspur, fleabane, white Jacob’s ladder, oxeye daisy, stonecrop, forget-me-knots (whole fields of them!), and various yellow daisy like flowers. 

Our friendly cattle friends

            Only one patch of snow still remained in a sheltered  portion of the road.  Over halfway up the road, we became cattle herders as first two, then five, then ten, then a couple dozen cattle came out of the forest and milled around us and were herded by us up the road.  One mama gave us a rather stern look, and most of them were mooing up a storm.  I was rather glad when the last of them went left when the road went right and we got past them.  I felt rather exposed and vulnerable a few times.  The good part of the cows was the overwhelming odor of sage that was released when they stomped through the underbrush. 

We went to the top of the right hand "peak".  

            Once we reached the cattle crossing near the summit of Bald Mt., Rick said he would be willing to tackle EITHER route.  I figured he meant one gradual road or the steeper alternative, but he suggest the “either” was to hike to the top of the rocky outcropping that lies just to the east of the Bald Mt. peak.  It wasn’t quite as high, but the coloring looked interesting and we hadn’t been to the top of that particular peak before, while we have been to the top of Bald Mt.  So….back across the cattle guard and time to bushwack up the rocky slope to the lichen covered summit.  Both sides of this outcropping were sage covered, but when we actually walked through it, what treasures were to be found in between and beneath the sage!  Flowers, flowers everywhere!  Mostly paintbrush and lupine, but it was gorgeous! 

The lichen covered rocks. 

            Two hours and four plus miles from departure at the car, we reached the summit of the rocky knoll on the eastern flank of Bald Mt. Ah the vistas from up on top!  South to Strawberry Mountain and all the Burnt River drainage, north to Bowen Valley, Baker Valley and Baker City, the Wallowas, and in the far distance – Mt. Emily and Mt. Harris up near La Grande.  Bald Mt. itself blocked our view of the Elkhorn Mountains.  The entire rock peak was covered in most orange lichens, with some black and yellow colors as well.  A variety of succulent flowers growing in the cracks of the stones.  We gazed through the binoculars, took pictures, and toasted Summer Curry as we ate the Snickers she gave Rick for his birthday!     

Ging

            Shortly after 11am, we headed off the peak, continuing east down the opposite side and through a long ridge of sage, again covered with an array of wildflowers.  I picked a few flowers and stuck them in the back of my hat!  We returned to the car at 12:30, the last mile seeming a little longer and hotter than the first!  A wonderful hike together, and I felt great to be able to match Rick step by step up the uphill portions! 

            Back at the house to clean up and then continue our anniversary celebration!  I donned my wedding dress because it fits again and is fun to wear!  Unfortunately, I think I have shrunk in the past 28 years because it is about 1-2 inches too long, even with my high shoes on!!!  But Rick put on white shirt and black coat and we took some pictures out in the yard.  Might even wear the dress again tomorrow at church – it will give people something to talk about! 

I don't think we have aged a bit! 

            After our fashion show, I headed over to work the Bountiful Baskets at Brooklyn School.  Had to call Rick minutes later because we were short handed.  So both of us worked until 5pm unloading the truck, dividing up the produce, and then passing it out to the nearly 100 people who signed up to participate today.  I was in charge of bananas today and it WAS NOT AN EASY JOB!  They kept falling off the bunch and wouldn’t divide right! 

            Dinner was a huge fruit salad, sourdough bread, grilled shrimp, and wine!  Superb!  Afterwards we went downtown to Earth and Vine and had another drink and split a huge piece of very rich chocolate cake.  It was delicious but very filling!  A beautiful evening out wandering around town by the light of a half moon.  What better celebration of an anniversary could anyone ask for?  Here’s to another 28 years….or more!  J

            

TWO WEEKS with TWO MOMS, PART 2

WEEK 2:  June 22 – June 30

Click HERE for all pictures from Week 2 of our trip

Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23:

More lazy days!  Wednesday is another scanning day for slides, and by days’ end I have a total of nearly 500 done.  But on Thursday morning, the scanner refused to work!  A new problem this time – the Pfs Loader Application is no longer working!  Whatever that means!  Rick continues work on the hedge and outside tasks, and gets the new moulding on the backdoor installed.  It looks good!  Grandma R is cooking on Wednesday and Rick has taken Thursday cooking duties…..we head to the Thai Restaurant on Thursday for a late lunch/dinner!  Rick’s favorite method of cooking is Thai! 

Wednesday afternoon a missionary from the Sudan visited the church and spoke to a group.  It was really interesting and I learned a lot about the area and the country.  The gal hasn’t been in the Sudan for long, yet will be moving from the northern part of the country to the south when she returns, as the country has voted to separate as of July 9. 

Rick took a long walk on Wednesday and checked out the new Frisbee golf course at the city park.  He said it is a “links” Frisbee course – a little rough in places! 

Thursday we worked around the house until 12:30 when we headed downtown to the Thai Restaurant for dinner, and then a drive out 42S to find Mac’s hopeful house on Skyline Drive.  We found it and it is indeed up on top of a ridge!  Games, puzzles, and relaxation for the evening.  Oh, I also read a book over the past two days! 

Saturday and Sunday, June 25 and 26:

What a BEAUTIFUL weekend on the beach!  The weather was sunny and bright, the north wind blowing as usual but not toooo hard!  Bandon is bustling with an amateur golf tournament running next week out at The Dunes, so this weekend the beach is full with tourists, families, etc.

Rick takes off early to spend the morning up in Coos Bay at the Habitat for Humanity project there.  A chance to try out his new tool belt!  Evidently the crew worked to correct an error in hall width constructed by a group from North Bend High School.  He said those high school boys pounded in a lot of nails, which all had to be removed or cut through with a reciprocal saw.  A good first experience for him although he never filled out any paperwork so officially they don’t even know who he was! 

Rick's Habitat House in Coos Bay.  He moved a wall. 

I took an hour long walk on the beach Saturday morning, heading north from Mom’s up to Coquille Point.  I was hoping to find the seals resting on the rocks, but alas, no such luck!   I did surprise myself, however, and actually felt like RUNNING!!  Me?  Running?  Yes!  Not a lot at once, but it felt good!  I collected a few shells and driftwood as well to make a wind chime. 

At 11:15 Moms2 and I drove up to Smoothboar’s to join the Birthday Club for lunch.  This is a group that meets once a month to celebrate whoever has a birthday that month.  The location changes, greetings are sent, and a song is sung!  Mostly they gather to chat!  We enjoyed our shrimp salads! 

Afternoon spent lazily working on the jigsaw puzzle and preparing a salmon feast for dinner!  I had picked up a salmon fillet at the grocery store, and with fresh sourdough bread, and baked yam fries and a huge tossed salad, we ate in style.  Rick did a superb job on the BBQ ing of the salmon.  It had been a long while since we had salmon so tasty! 

Sunday was church in the morning, and then we cooked up the chicken on the BBQ, fried taters, and broccoli for dinner when we got home.  Always nice to eat the big meal in the middle of the day. 

I took another walk on the beach, this time heading south, after lunch.  Even though I was a little full, I still managed to include 6 stints of jogging into the walk!  Later in the afternoon Rick walked clear down to the jetty from Mom Mac’s!  We have to be in good shape when we get to Colorado in August so we can hike some peaks! 

After I did a little “doodling”, Mom and I headed out to the garage to do a little cleaning and throwing away!  More cleaning than throwing, but two hours later it looked much improved and she was happy!  Now a trip to the dump is in order, plus recycling. 

Light supper and evening Sunday of games, puzzle, and drawing.  Can this marvelous weather continue? 

I called Jed around 8pm to ask one last time about getting the scanner to work.  Jed suggested I simply uninstall and reinstall everything….it worked!  My son is so amazing!  So I promptly stayed up until nearly midnight scanning 40 pictures (we were also watching Lonesome Dove on TV). 

Monday, June 27:

            Up earlyish (around 7) to scan, scan, scan.  Every spare moment of today was spent scanning slides.  By day’s end, I only had about 70 left to do and had scanned over 300 slides.  That’s about 5-6 hours of scanning! 

            Today was a work day again – laundry, computer education for Mom, Rick trimming outside BEFORE the rain struck, car cleanup, etc.  Mom and I took an hour in the afternoon to check out the myrtlewood place about 5 miles south of town.  It was a good INSIDE day as the rain really came down during the afternoon. 

            We made waffles for dinner with plum or strawberry syrup! Good meal!  After dinner Moms2 and I played Canasta again.  Mom 1 “cheated” and won.  I’ve been giving her a bad time.  (It was unintentional!) 

Tuesday, June 28:

            Today I finished scanning slides – total of 932!!  Hurray! 

Mom awaits her new tires!

            Big day today heading up to Coos Bay again – to the dump, to get new tires for Mom’s car, dress shopping for Tom’s wedding, Myrtlewood purchases, etc. etc.  Mom R treated everyone to lunch/dinner at Sizzler!  By 4pm we were all weary and ready to head for home!  But the car has new tires, Mom purchased TWO new dresses and a wonderful reading lamp for by her chair. 

            Home around 5:30 to find the new CD disk drive waiting for us on the front porch!  I install it (plug it in!) and Mom is in business to view pictures, etc. on her computer. 

            I make up a batch of air popcorn for a dinner snack and spent much of the rest of the evening getting Mom set up on her computer answering more questions.  Talked to Jed on the phone when I saw a message on Facebook that his Candidacy Meeting for Thursday was postponed!  Oh no!!! 

Wednesday, June 29:

            Scrubby dub dub in the tub and shower morning as we clean and wax the showers, do a little other light cleaning for Mom, and get things in general ready to leave. 

            After lunch Rick and I take off for the Bandon Dunes Golf Course to watch a little of the PGA Amateur Championships taking place this week.  A perfect time to explore the course when you can walk around as a spectator and see everything without paying for it! 

Main lodge of Bandon Dunes

            And it is beautiful!  Once we park, a shuttle takes us south to the Bandon Trails Course which starts near the shore, but then dives deep into the forest.  We didn’t follow that far, but did log over a mile watching match play on about 5 holes.  Realized we really don’t understand match play scoring when they would call a hole won or lost before it was finished!  I shall have to go home and Google Match play in golf to figure out what was happening! 

            We then took the shuttle to the Old MacDonald Course, the last of the 4 that have been built at The Dunes.  Old MacDonald is considered the most rustic and closest to a Scottish “links” setup.  We thought it looked very open with HUGE greens.  It was hard in places to tell where fairways and rough met!  Most of the course is right out by the ocean. 

Hole 2 at Bandon Trails

            Stopped enroute back to Moms to pick up more salmon for dinner and some little stuff at the hardware store to finish a couple last minute fixes at the house (Superglue, etc.!)  Evening spent packing up, high class dining, and playing one last game. AND I put a few more pieces into the puzzle!  

            We didn’t finish our jigsaw puzzle of the California poppies.  Left it for Mom’s many guests of the summer to work on!  (Course, the easy stuff is done – the sky and all that green remain!)

Thursday, June 30:

            Baker City, here we come!  We are up at 6am and leave around 6:40, Mom in the back seat with room for her knitting, etc.  We pick up some coffee and are on our way for the long haul home in one day. 

Isn't Eastern Oregon glorious country?
Strawberry Mountains

            Rick drives to Florence, where we stop at a Subway for breakfast sandwiches, and then on to Eugene/Springfield.  We run in and out of brief rain storms, scattered with sunshine and misty clouds.  In Springfield we stop for a quick break and Ginger drives over the mountains to Prineville – weather improving the further east we go!  Warmer temps and sunshine totally.  In Prineville another Subway stop for lunch and then Rick drives us into Baker City.  The drive was gorgeous from Prineville on – blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and GREEN lush fields among the pines.  Home at 5:30 pm, 11 hours later! 

            Trip home produced the back for a baby sweater for Mom and I completed most of the “Marys” for my needlepoint nativity sets for Christmas.  Plus two more Doodles! 

            All is well on Broadway Street.  We are ready to crash, but first have a good visit with Bogarts as they bring over our share of our first CSA basket!  It’s so good to be home, but was a GREAT visit with Mom in Bandon….with TWO MOMS!