Beginning Part 2, or Back on the Road Again

    After a very relaxing and interesting time at Lava Beds National Monument that included cave exploration, some short high desert hikes and an afternoon jigsaw puzzle under the shade of a juniper tree we headed south, back towards Colfax, stopping for the night at previously unknown to us Eagle Lake near Susanville. We needed to return to home base for a medical procedure for Rob last Monday. We had to be back by Friday because he had to have a Covid test in preparation for entering the facility three days later. Rob is negative for Covid, the procedure went well with a good outcome and we were ready to hit the road again on Tuesday. While eating lunch on Monday Rob had a tooth crown come out so that meant a call to the dentist for a Wednesday morning appointment. We were just a bit frustrated and it caused me to think about what we would do if the delays kept mounting up and we "never" got back on the road. That was a contingency I really didn't want to consider,  but felt if we had to, we would. The extra day of pause on Tuesday allowed for Rob to buy some new hiking shoes and for me to get a complete "make over" by our 7 year old granddaughter, complete with blue fingernails which I still have. The five day break also allowed for lots of board games with our daughter and granddaughter and a shared birthday cake for Rob's 72nd Birthday. Rob's tooth issue turned out to be a broken tooth which meant a referral to another specialist who didn't have openings until the middle of August. The tooth isn't bothering him, so he made an appointment for November and we headed out Wednesday morning.

    Wednesday was our longest travel day so far at 239 miles to the Old Ski Bowl at Mount Shasta, a place we've spent a couple of nights at in the past. What a truly awe inspiring, "magical" place and the camping was free! We strolled through pristine wild flower meadows, climbed a short mountain trail and left there Thursday morning headed into Oregon. We finally left California on July 23, a bit later than originally anticipated. 

    Earlier this year in preparation for this year's travels we joined Harvest Host,  an RV membership group that allows free camping for self-contained RVs at close to 2000 wineries, farms, breweries, attractions and golf courses across the U.S. and into Canada. We had already spent one night at a golf course in Plumas County and on Thursday night our first stop in Oregon was at the Train Mountain Railroad, a place we never would have stopped at if not for Harvest Hosts. It was a surreal experience to be there and see the world's longest miniature railroad, talk to the very friendly and interesting members, and even to get a two hour, free, ride through the beautiful woods with Steve and Lindsey behind their international orange Portland and Western engine. If you are a train enthusiast of any kind, Train Mountain Railroad needs to be on your bucket list.

     After leaving the trains we headed north through Crater Lake National Park. This was not a first visit to this park, but we didn't want to miss it and I wanted to hike a trail I had seen at a distance when we were there five years ago, the Garfield Peak Trail. We made it about half way, but it wasn't the afternoon sun or the climb up at high elevation that did me in. It was the sheer drop offs down to the lake on one side and forever away on the other. I truly am not good with heights and once I start shaking I can't stop. It's all in my mind, but it definitely affects my body. We did get beautiful views though before heading further north and east. It was a Friday night so we were too late to get a first come first serve campsite along the way, but we found a beautiful spot all to ourselves at Gold Lake Sno-Park on Hwy 58. On our walk the next morning up a forest service road we encountered a large group of horses and riders getting ready to head out for trail maintenance on a nearby section of the Pacific Crest Trail. 

    Yesterday was another long travel day of over 200 miles into Washington state where we stopped for the night at another Harvest Host location, Lewis River Golf Resort. I got a dip in the river - Rob only went in up to his knees, and then we had a very restful night that ended abruptly at 5:30 AM when high powered sprinklers hit the side of the motor home and sprayed water in through the windows. Rob said he thought the dog (we don't have one) must have bitten a water line and he said he wondered how he would turn off the water. We closed the windows quickly and got an early start toward Port Angeles where we have arrived at a KOA to do laundry and get good Wi-Fi before heading into Olympic National Park tomorrow.

The black space behind us is the entrance to a Lava Bed Cave.

LesThora at Eagle Lake

Elsie on leash at Eagle Lake. She walked around a bit and even chased a grasshopper while I followed her. The leash experience with Straus was not nearly so successful. He immediately rolled in the clean looking gravel and his long hair got full of stickers and burrs. All in all the cats are doing quite well. I think they enjoy different scenery as we move about, but Rob thinks they are a bit confined.

Rob turns 72!

Hmmm... What do you think of my blue fingernails?

A field of lupine with Mount Shasta in the background.

Panther Meadow at Mount Shasta

Mount Shasta

That's Rob near the back of the train. I would sit in front of him and Steve and Lindsey would sit right behind the engine.

At our turn around point on the Garfield Peak Trail at Crater Lake. I look much more at ease than I felt.

The trail on the way down, looking much more tame than it was!