Bell-Eggers Wedding Weekend Camping
Anthony
Lakes, Oregon
June29-July
1
FRIDAY, June 29
An
Adventure Weekend! Zach and Savanah are getting married at the top
of the Anthony Ski Area on Saturday afternoon. Luke is in the
wedding party and we have picked him up at the Boise airport on
Thursday. Zach is scheduled to pick Luke up at 11 Friday morning.
They have a full day of set up to do on Friday, both on top and at
the lodge.
We
are getting the little tent trailer out for two nights of camping at
the Anthony Lakes campground! Always good to get the little guy out
once a year and we realized in all these years of living in Baker
City, we have NEVER actually camped in the campground itself –
always in the overflow/group area. There are no hookups available,
so no point in taking the ‘big boy’ (relatively speaking!)
We
pull out shortly after Luke is picked up and by 12:30 have found a
spot in Site 3, near the entry road, but a double site with room for
Chris R to park his car later on. Yup, while we were in Bandon,
Chris Rodgers called to see if he could crash with us during the
wedding! We said we were camping, but we could find a spot for him
to pitch his tent!
After
a bite to eat, we have the afternoon ahead of us! Rick wants to hike
up to Angel Pass, while I decide on a trek to Hoffer Lakes and the
waterfall, plus scout out the location of the cabin that the wedding
party is staying at. The weather is cool and cloudy – we have the
potential for some rainbursts.
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| Hoffer Falls with wildflowers |
Back
to the trailer just in time as the light rain that had begun falling
up at Hoffers turned into a serious squall and it DUMPED for about 10
minutes! More squalls off and on for the next hour. I transitioned
between trailer and outside chair, but the rain and mosquitos made
the trailer more appealing!
Later
Rick went down to fish and I made two more laps of the lake (one mile
each!) to seek out the letters to Eggers and Zach and Savannah. The
G’s and S’s were hard to find!
Time
to make a fire and warmup/dry out! By 8:00, when Rusty still hadn’t
arrived, we decided to forgo any trip over to the cabin to join the
‘kids’. We were enjoying just sitting around the fire and
talking. A good decision because Chris Rodgers pulled in at 8:45,
having probably driven way too fast on the trek over. He came
through the middle of the state and veered off at Sumpter to go
through Granite and up the backside loop to the campground.
Tent
set up, chair pulled out and another hour or two visiting around the
fire, enjoying marshmallows and cookies! We turned in around 10:45
to bundle up for the forecast 36-38 degree night!
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| One of many beautiful views of the lake and peaks. |
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| Looking back at the shoreline where Rick does most of his fishing. |
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| Lilypad Lake and Gunsight |
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| Gunsight reflection in the lake |
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| Layers upon layers of pine pollen collect at the north end of the lake. |
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| Mists of light rain fall on the peaks while the lake is bathed in sunshine. |
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| Late evening shadows and sun on the lake. |
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| My might fisherman! |
SATURDAY,
June 30
Kinda
waited for the sun to hit the trailer to get up, but my bladder had
other ideas! Up to put my prayers into the pre-drawn picture for
today and write herein. Eventually I hear Chris emerging and I went
out to get some coffee going! Chris made a fire for us to enjoy to
just warm up. It was taking the sun awhile to get high enough past
the tree to actually hit the campsite!
Conversation
and cinnamon rolls and coffee until around 9am when Chris and I
walked over to the cabins to find the guys. Chris was ready to help
out as needed until wedding time. Not at cabin, but we met them all
in Zallen’s truck coming back. Chris went to lodge to meet up with
them. Rick went down fishing, and since it was a clear beautiful
morning, I took another lap around the lake and then the campground
(had to see how many sites were still empty. Answer: 3 here and
about 5 in the walk-ins on the far side.)
Rick
fished until around 11:30. They weren’t biting particularly, but
with 3 bites, he landed 2 and they were well worth it! The last was
about 16” and fat!! A good meal for several!
Lazy
time sitting in the sun, the mosquitos not particularly obnoxious,
reading. Rick took a nap!
We
headed over to the lodge around 2pm, ready to ride up the lift. The
weather has remained incredibly PERFECT! Warm, but not hot. Clear
with just a rare scatter of puffy clouds. The wait at the lift is
about a half hour, but we visit with those around us. See former
students that we struggle to remember! They were running every third
seat and had to stop for each couple to snap the safety strap, etc.
The
ride up was incredibly peaceful. About 15 minutes to get to the top
as we drifted over
the many creeks and rivulets flowing down Rock Garden and the
multiple ski runs. I shot lots of pictures!
The
wedding venue itself was just south of the lift on a clearing
overlooking Lees Peak and Lakes Lookout. SO GORGEOUS!!! A simple
wine barrel behind Luke provided a centerpiece – no other fancy
décor. The mountains were quite enough. The groomsmen got on the
lift just as we were getting off, followed by the gals and then
Savannah with both her parents on either side. She was hilarious
with her dress wrapped up around her knees and her feet just kicking
away in gleeful anticipation!
The
ceremony itself was short and sweet – just Luke’s style! He
walked in first with Beau, the HUGE dog of Zach and Sav. Beau was
the ‘ring bearer’! Betty Spooner was the ‘wedding planner’
and had everything going like clockwork! In 13 minutes all
was said and done, proclaimed husband and wife! Well done words,
however, with a little levity included – just Savannah’s style!
We
decided to wander down the road for abit and savor the view –
meeting up with Nathan Defrees and family and Jace and Liz.
Eventually we walked down with Chris to the lodge. A beautiful walk,
altho the wildflowers weren’t out as much as we thought they would
be. Give those slopes another two weeks or so!
The
reception was great fun – a time to chat with many people, swat
mosquitos (sitting outside), drink a little wine and beer, enjoy a
good meal, and dance a few dances with Rick. I requested ‘Unchained
Melody’ after awhile from the DJ, just to guarantee a slow dance!
Had to dance with Luke for a moment until Rick came racing up the
stairs (he had heard the music!)
We
left around 9 to walk back to the campground with Chris. A beautiful
evening as clouds are starting to roll in. Much warmer than last
night. No campfire tonight, just a few moments to rehash the day and
then head to bed!
SUNDAY,
July 1
It
rained (or misted) again during the night! But by arising time
around 6:45, the clouds were rapidly blowing past with patches of
blue sky. Chris got up and together we tackled a fire –
successfully. Got the coffee going and just kept chatting
away as we enjoyed pumpkin bread and warmth.
Chris
left around 9a to go over to the cabin and say goodbye to Luke and
the crew. We get packed up and chill while waiting for Luke. With
no way to communicate (cell phones don’t work at Anthony) we pack
up around 10:30 and drive to the pullout next to the cabin road. We
walk down the quarter mile to the cabin and find Luke, Megan, Jake
and his wife still there – and the cabin appearing like a cyclone
hit! We enjoy a cup of coffee and then walk Luke’s stuff back to
the truck. Since Megan has to come into Baker City anyway (she lives
in La Grande), Luke stays to help her clean up and will catch a ride
down the hill with her.
The
Elkhorn Cycling Classic is this weekend, and the uphill time trials
are set for today up the Anthony highway. We pass MULTIPLE riders (I
think I later read 255 entries) churning their way up the mountain.
We just slowly dropped down!
Home
at 12:15pm and Luke arrived around 2. Unpack and now get a chance to
really enjoy having Luke home for a few days! I will text Zach
sometime on Monday and ask if they found everything ok when they
arrived and if they have any questions.
A
GREAT WEEKEND!!! And for the most part, we couldn’t have asked for
better weather, especially for the wedding block of time.
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