Summer Trip 2021, Viento State Park, Columbia River Gorge, Cascades Locks, Oregon

 Viento State Park

This scenic area is very special indeed as it is located west of Hood River, Oregon in the Columbia River Gorge. Viento is accessible via the historic Columbia River Highway State Trail that combined is comprised of 12 plus miles of thrilling scenery and spectacular geological formations.

The Columbia River cuts through the Cascade mountain range

Horsetail Falls off of historic highway 30

Wahkeena Falls off of historic highway 30

The Bridge of the God's crosses over the Columbia River Gorge at Cascades Locks just west of Viento State Park. It is a majestic span. It is one of the few bridges in this area that crosses the wide Columbia river.

The campsites at Viento State Park are nicely spaced with electric and water. The bath houses have showers and restrooms that are clean and spacious. At this point in our trip we had 17 straight days of dry camping with no electric and many case no shower facilities so we were happy to have the conviences that most take for granted. 

We visited nearby Bonneville dam just west of Viento State Park. We marveled at the massive project that was completed in the mid 1930's just after the great depression. This facility produces 1 million kilowatts of clean energy to the Pacific northwest from the massive flow of the Columbia river driving it multiple generators

US army Corps of Engineers visitors center at Bonneville dam

The massive Bonneville dam as it drops 60 feet to produce energy

The fish ladder at Bonneville, Salmon can be seen climbing the runs to spawn

Rose blooming in a garden just outside the visitors center

The Columbia River Gorge is a beautiful place with vistas that are majestic. The area is a jewel of place that we feel so blessed to have experienced on our trip out west this year.

We visited Hood River, Oregon 10 miles east of Viento. In this area folks enjoy Wing Foil surfing. It is a relatively new sport out here that has caught on in a big way. We marveled at the skill level it takes to maneuver across the wide Columbia river. There were a lot of folks who were enjoying the lovely July summer day on the water using the wind to propel there boards across the waves.

Summer Trip 2021, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, CA

Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park 

Elk Prairie Campground

Fifty miles north of Eureka, Oregon Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park protects sandy beaches and open meadows grazed by magnificent herds of Roosevelt elk. Ferns cascade down canyon walls. Lush stands of the world's tallest living tree species, the coast redwood, stand in primeval majesty.

The California redwoods are a sight to see rising to heights of over 300 feet they are the oldest and tallest of trees on the planet. Our experience here has been awe inspiring with multiple hikes through the old growth groves in Prairie Creek and the adjacent Redwoods National Parks.

Our campsite at Prairie Creek was out in the open providing us with warm sunlight during the day as the average high here is 66 degrees in July with a low of about 50 degrees. Being from hot and humid Florida it was a pleasant change from the heat which has been very unseasonable especially in the central valley of California where the highs have been the triple digits for a week or more. The facilities at Prairie Creed are nice. We had water at our site and the restroom had showers which we liked a lot as we have been used to jumping into the lakes at some of our stops on our way here. 

We saw Roosevelt Elk wandering the open meadows as we toured the area stopping at Lady Bird Johnson’s Grove for a ranger led hike. We liked this trail the best of them all as the grade was easy and the redwoods were big surrounded by ferns everywhere. The morning we took our stroll the sea fog was just lifting providing a other worldly landscape as the sun rays streaked through the fog illuminating the tall redwoods in a mystic shroud. 

There was a road closure due to a landside on 101 the morning we left causing a hour an half delay on our trip up into Oregon to Carter Lake National Forest Service campground near Florence, Oregon. This can happen from time to time however we did have adequate warning to adjust our schedule making the best of a situation that can test your patience. 

Summer Trip 2021, Grizzly Creed Redwoods State Park, Maple Grove, CA

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park 

Located in the heart of the redwoods this is a place that inspires ones sense of wonder at the unlimited possibilities of nature with trees that are centuries old and reach to heights that are far above other trees in the forest.

We were surprised that the park had pay showers which was welcomed as we had been bathing in rivers and lakes at Lassen and Fallen Leaf campgrounds. When you experience places that are remote and beautiful one often has to make due as best they can. The restrooms were clean with flush toilets. We had no electric however the nights are cool here for sleeping at night and days are mild as we are so close to the Pacific Ocean. Barbara and I have been enjoying campfires at night which is a delight as most places out west have a fire ban as there is an active drought in most places in California.

The redwood forests on the Pacific coast are a sight to see rising up into to sky for 300 feet or more. These giants have been around as a species for over 240 million years longer then other species such as flowers and spiders. The oldest trees are 2,000 years old which is impressive to say the least. It is truly an experience to marvel at these monarchs of the forest.

We visited Ferndale not far from Grizzly Creek to do our laundry and walk around the lovely town near the coast of northern California. The Victorian homes here are the hall mark of this beautiful place. We had a great time looking at the architecture and enjoying the shops in town.

Summer Trip 2021, Paonia State Park, Paonia, CO

 Paonia State Park

Located just north of Paonia, CO this park is nestled in the rugged Colorado mountains on a reservoir that provides campers with great views and opportunities to enjoy water related sports.

The campground at Paonia State Park is nicely forested with a river that flows into the reservoir south of our campsite. The park is primitive with just pit toilets and without water or electric. Since we had our solar panel we had no problem and enjoyed our two night stay. 

During our stay at Paonia State Park we drove to Marble, CO which is 23 miles from the park with great scenery along the way. Marble is known for the quarry white marble that arties use to create sculptures that are great works of art with great detail

We had lunch at Slow Groovin BBQ, well known for it's great ribs and brisket. The mining town has unique buildings all surrounded by great mountain scenery.

We enjoyed the cool weather at night with lots of shade during the day at Paonia State Park. The Colorado Rocky mountains are such a great place to visit in the summer with views and memories that last forever.