Summer Trip 2021, Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek, Pine Flat Campground, Sedona, AZ

Coconino National Forest, Oak Creek

Pine Flat Campground

Oak Creek Canyon as seen from the rim on Hwy 89A just outside Flagstaff, AZ

Oak Creek Canyon is a river gorge located in northern Arizona between the cities of Flagstaff and Sedona. The canyon is often described as a smaller cousin of the Grand Canyon because of its scenic beauty. State route 89A enters the canyon on its north end via a series of hairpin turns before traversing the bottom of the canyon for about 13 miles until the highway enters the town of Sedona and red rock country. 

Our campsite at Pine Flats is operated by the National Forest Service. The sites were large with plenty of space between campsites. The restrooms were pit toilets. Be sure not to get a campsite near the toilets as we did as there is an unpleasant smell that drifted over our campsite from time to time. There is no electric and no showers however it was a treat to be in the canyon with Oak Creek not far from our campsite.

Our Friend Ron from Page, AZ joined us at our campsite at Pine Flats

The town of Sedona is a great place to visit while you're in this area. It is surrounded by the red rock landscapes that make this place so popular to visit. Their are jeep tours that will take you to some of the best sites around the area. 

Sedona is a spiritual place with lots of shops that specialized in this subject area.

We always have enjoyed this area of red rocks and canyons south of Flagstaff over the years. It is a great place to explore with a beauty that is hard to match.

I plan to place extra posts of some of our stays in later stages of our trip so keep coming back to see my pictures and narrative. My travel blog has always been intended to inspire others to go out and see the places you have never see. The greatest honor for me is when folks tell me that they enjoy traveling vicariously through my pictures and narrative.

This project of mine is ongoing. Until next time happy trails and may natures beauty never fail to inspire you.

Summer Trip 2021, Sawtooth National Forest, Redfish Lake, Idaho

 Sawtooth National Recreation Area

Sunny Gulch Campground

Sunny Gulch is three miles from Redfish Lake, but is quieter and less crowded then the campgrounds closer to Red Fish Lake in the summer. In this area there is access to great hiking trails with views into the Sawtooth Wilderness and the White Cloud Wilderness. Redfish Lake Lodge is also nearby with a great view of the Lake and the Sawtooth Mountain range. There is a sandy beach along to enjoy the views with food and beverages that are severed at the lodge in a nice shaded setting. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the landscapes that make this place so special.

Our campground at Sunny Gulch was very nice with the Salmon River running swiftly in the Canyon that was our home for three nights. Our friend from Florida Diane Dahlberg came up from Florida to join us for this part of our trip. It was so nice to experience this great wilderness landscape with a dear friend.

The wildlife, the landscapes, the majestic Sawtooth mountains make this area a perfect place to discover nature and all the beauty that is so soothing to the soul.

 

 

Summer Trip 2021, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Recreation Area, Lulu, Idaho

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Recreation Area

Powell Campground

Lochsa Lodge

Located in north central Idaho Powell Campground is located in scenic Lachsa River Valley. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness lies on the opposite side of the river. The Lochsa Lodge is located within walking distance from the campground. This is the second time we visited this wildly beautiful section of Idaho. The Lodge has a convenience store and cabins for those visitors who are not campers.

The Lochsa River Valley as seen from the Lochsa Lodge

We had electric at our campsite which is available in one loop of the campground. It is wise to make your reservations well in advance as Powell is popular in the summer time. In the winter time it is snow mobile heaven where area residents come to play. The campground has flush toilets along with several fresh water sources scattered through out to campground. It is great place to use as a base to see this areas many interesting features.

 

 

Suspension walking bridge over the Lochsa River

Nearby about 10 miles west of here there are some lovely hot springs. Jerry Johnson hot springs is perhaps one of nicest in the area. After crossing a walking suspension bridge over the Lochsa river you come to a 1.2 mile trail paralleling the river. It is a beautiful hike passing a hot spring that flows right out of the rock to the river. The path is steep to this hot spring so we decided not to go there however we did see some younger folks who ventured down. Jerry Johnson hot springs are nestled also along the river with pools that visitors built to soak in. The setting is absolutely beautiful with the river and forest providing a perfect setting. The main hot springs is up the hill from the river and overlooks a lovely meadow. We really enjoyed our time soaking here walking back totally relaxed enjoying the wildflowers in bloom. 

The Lochsa River

Warm water Spring emanating from a cliff on the shore line of the Lochsa river

Jerry Johnson head spring

Barbara and our friend Diane enjoying a soak 

Walking Trail suspension bridge over the Lochsa river

Fire Weed Blooming

River side pools of warm water at Jerry Johnson hot springs

Just east of our campground is we visited a Salmon hatchery. Salmon swim up the Lochsa river about 600 miles from the Pacific from the mouth of the Columbia river. The Crooked Fork and Colt Killed Creek meet here to form the wild Lochsa river. 

The confluence of Killed Colt Creek and Crooked Creek to form the Lochsa River 

Salmon spawning shelter 

Large Salmon in the spawning center pools

Idaho is a beautiful state full of unspoiled wilderness. Our stay at Powell was an experience that delighted us as we love nature and all the beauty that surrounds it.

Summer Trip 2021, Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area, Florence, Oregon

 Oregon Dunes National Recreations Area

Lagoon Campground 

At an elevation of 100 feet, the campground sits among shore pine and huckleberry along the Siltcoos Lagoon and the Siltcoos River. The campground is part of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, known for its wind-sculpted sand dunes towering to 500 feet above sea level.

Our campsite at Oregon Dunes

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Carter Lake

We enjoyed hiking to the beach over the sand dunes. The dunes rise to over 100 feet from the wind coming in over the Pacific ocean. The cool air kept us bundled up as the average high was in the upper sixties with lows approaching 50 degrees at night. This is a special area full of the kind of beauty you find out here on the Oregon coast off of Hwy 101.

Carter Lake 

On the beach next to Carter Lake

Climbing the dunes to the Pacific Ocean

The following images are of the Pacific Ocean once we climbed over the dunes

One of the places nearby that we explored were the unique Sea Lion Caves just north of Florence. We marveled at the Stellar Sea Lions that come here to find refuse from their routines at sea and to socialize. We meet the owners, Steve and Sue Saulbert, as they strolled through Carter Lake campground one morning with their beautiful dog Cowboy. What a special couple. We had a great conversation. Steve and Sue gave us their card which we used to get free admission to the Sea Lion Caves. I always say it just is not the place that you are so blessed to visit it is the people you meet who make it special. We have been blessed to meet so many nice folks on are travels this year.

 The Pacific Ocean on the coast of Oregon as you drive up the coast on Highway 101 is a spectacular journey. We enjoyed the scenery all along the way.  

The Heceta Lighthouse

Meyers Creek Beach