Oregon Anniversary

After a stopover at Memaloose State Park, in the Columbia River Gorge, we continued our trek to the Oregon Coast. The drive was absolutely breathtaking, with waterfalls spilling over rock cliffs and vistas of the Columbia River as it cuts it’s way through the Cascade Mountains. We had second breakfast in Portland, then ended the day at a point as far west as we can go. We are in the harbor town of Garibaldi, for a couple nights, at Harborview Inn and RV Park. As the name suggests, we have a view of the harbor and real fishing boats!

Today also happens to be mine and Mark’s 36th wedding anniversary. What a “long strange trip” life continues to be!

Washington Pass Through

When I think of Washington State, I think of the western coast with lush forests and lots of rain. Who knew that eastern Washington is more of a windy plain with rounded hills covered in sage and grasses? We’ve decided to make our way to the Oregon coast, so Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park, in the Wanapum Recreation Area, has been our choice for a stopover as we continue pushing west. We only have a short time, in the area, but got a beautiful campsite with a view of the Columbia River. We hiked this morning, in the Ginkgo Petrified Forest, which was intriguing because there were no trees on the horizon. The Forest is under the desert scape in petrified form. The trees and logs are protected by grates in the places where they made their way to the surface over a million years ago. Another fact I didn’t know; Petrified wood is Washington’s official state gem!

Nakation

Because Idaho is just opening their state parks to overnight camping, there was no way in advance to make reservations for this area. We were able to get a spot at Heyburn State Park for five nights but the weekend was booked. Because we still had things we wanted to see and do, in the area, we looked for private parks for the weekend. We discovered Sun Meadows Family Nudist resort was only ten miles away and had vacancies, so we decided to give the park a try.

We didn’t know what to expect but were pleasantly surprised at what we found. The park is gated and private, and once inside it’s like camping in an ordinary RV Park. We arrived when temps were hovering in the high 50’s- perhaps that makes a difference, but all our fellow campers were clothed around their campsites. The Indoor clubhouse amenities, however, were “all natural” (sauna, hot tub, and heated pools). We are acclimated to areas, involving water, being clothes optional because of the hot springs we frequent. The odd thing for us was recreating in the nude. Playing ping pong and shooting pool, in the buff, was a whole new experience. I think everyone who has been skinny dipping recognizes the feeling of freedom gliding through the water. That feeling of freedom is there when you do ordinary activities too. We really enjoyed our adventure here (even though it felt a bit like we were in the movie Cocoon) and ended our stay with one of the prettiest sunsets of our trip.

Patriotic campsite neighbors 

State Parks Open Again

We are camping in a state park again! Heyburn State Park was Idaho’s first state park and is the oldest state park in the Pacific Northwest; established in 1908. The campground where we are staying is about 30 miles from Coeur d’Alene and sits beside a beautiful lake. It has some cool hiking trails and lots of wildlife to see; especially birds. We’ve seen bald eagles, blue heron, osprey, white pelicans and red breasted nut hatches. Sadly though, Minnesota’s state bird is also here; the mosquito!

We’ve enjoyed and appreciated the private parks and Air Force bases that have provided a place to stay, during the pandemic, but it is nice to have state parks as an option, again, as we continue our travels.

Beautiful Books

When asked about his opinion on books and reading, writer, William Faulkner had this advice, “Read, read, read.” I love to read, and one way I entertain myself, while traveling about the country, is to make sure I always have a stack of good books. I couldn’t believe my luck (while looking for a disc golf course in tiny Alberton, MT)  Mark and I  stumbled upon Mountain Valley bookstore. I don’t believe I’ve ever been inside a building with more books (other than a public library). Keren Wales (the owner since 1978) estimates she has 100,000 used books. She also has an amazing system keeping track of them all. I was thrilled to replenish my travel supply and visit such an impressive store that has survived the digital age.

Wandering the aisles of the bookstore, however, brought to mind something my daughter, Kady, recently posted in response to friends asking for tangible ideas to show support for people of color after the George Floyd tragedy. (Kady’s husband is black and they have a three year old little boy together.) She encouraged her friends, with children, to buy children’s books with black protagonists, and read them during story time. In her words: “When we read, we relate and empathize with the characters we are reading about. In most children’s books, the protagonist is white, so not only is the empathy built, during story time, centered on white characters, it reinforces the idea that whiteness is normal and blackness isn’t. No matter where you live, or who your child’s friends are, reading about a brown girl who doesn’t want to leave the park, or a black boy whose pen pal is a dragon, will help them build empathy for others.” She also noted: “If you’re not a mom (or dad), consider buying these types of books and donating them to area pre-K and elementary schools.

Kady is a teacher, as well as a mom, and I love that she sees the importance and power of books.

One last quote I’ve always loved, from C.S. Lewis: “ We read to know we are not alone.”

Two Days in the Treasure State

We were sad to say goodbye to Custer County’s snow capped mountains but continued our trip north, spending the day driving along the Salmon River on the Salmon River Scenic Byway. We stopped for second breakfast in the small town of Salmon (no we didn’t order salmon) and were allowed to sit at a table apart from the other patrons. Idaho has now entered stage three of Rebound Idaho. It felt great, sitting at a small table, drinking coffee with a handful of unmasked strangers.

Our destination for the day would have us exiting Idaho and camping at River Edge RV Park, outside Missoula, MT. We will only be in Montana a couple nights, before heading back into the panhandle of Idaho. The park, as it’s name suggests, sits in a grove of pine trees on the banks of the Clark Fork River. It sits between interstate 90 and a train track. I know that sounds awful, but it’s actually quite nice, and perfect for our needs as a “just passing thru” spot.

Diner in Salmon, ID

The White Cloud Mountains

The Sawtooth Mountains were a new discovery for me, twenty-five years ago, but the unexpected gem, on this visit, ended up being the lesser known White Cloud Mountains; located across the valley from the Sawtooths. Unlike the Sawtooths, which shoot up like the Teton Mountains, in full view of Highway 75, you can’t just step out of your car and snap a selfie in front of the White Clouds. You have to hike into the backcountry to experience their beauty. The mountain range is located in the largest roadless area in the Lower 48.

We were a couple weeks too early to hike to the top of any of the 150 peaks ( at 10,000 feet elevation) that make up the White Cloud Mountain range, but we did push through some snow, leaving footprints proving we’d made it as close to the top as anyone else this season! One week is not nearly enough time to explore this amazing wilderness.