We are off to......: Annual Washington - Oregon Loop Trip, May 22nd to 25th

Every year for the last several years we have attended the Northwood RV Owners Association (NROA) Rally in La Grande, OR with visits before or after to some of our favorite spots or new ones that we want to explore. This year due to commitments at home in late June we won't attend the rally. Instead we started the trip early and are making a number of stops before we go to one of our favorite spots at Wallowa Lake near Joseph, OR.

We left just in time as summer and 90-100 degree heat descended on much of Northern California.

After several years of drought followed by record rain and snow this year we were anxious to see the level of Lake Shasta and of course the amount of snow on Mount Shasta. All the rivers on the way were running high as the high temperatures were accelerating the snow melt.

We weren't disappointed as Lake Shasta was full and probably the highest level we have seen it for many many years.

Mount Shasta is covered in snow from top to its base and this pictures is of the south facing side.

Once we got into Southern Oregon the temperatures moderated some and by evening they were pleasant. It should be nice the further north we go.

We spent our first night on the road at Seven Feathers RV Resort and Casino. It is listed as a 10-10-10 RV Park and the rates are reasonable for a very nice park. They provide shuttle service to the casino where we went for dinner and breakfast.

Nest stop is Silver Falls State Park near Salem, Silverton and Sublimity, OR for two nights. We had been by here a number of years ago but never stopped. I wish we had as there is an extensive trail system that I could have done then but I'm not sure how much my hips and knees will take now. We will give it a good shot.

We had a lot of trouble finding the campground as the only sign that indicated there might be one said Overnight lodging facilities and Conference center. We went in as there was no one in the registration kiosk but all we found were cabins. We turned around, left the park and returned to the main road. At that point we accessed the internet to find a park map. We returned to that entrance and finally found a sign that had a small tent on it. This is the first place with campgrounds that didn't have signs that clearly indicate CAMPGROUND! I guess you have to have been here before.

We found our reserved site and got situated in this beautiful campground and had a very restful night. We even needed the heater to warm up the trailer in the morning.

There are a multitude of trails in the park and to the waterfalls. There is the "Trail of Ten Falls" which is about 7-8 miles long or you can do short segments to see the larger falls.

We chose to do segments to avoid having to climb out of the canyon. It isn't a great elevation change but some are steep trails.

We started at the North Falls which has a 136' drop. It is a short walk to the overlook unless you continue into the canyon and to the base of the falls.

Then we went up Silver Creek to the Upper North Falls. It is a nice .4 mile trail to the base.

Next we went to the South Falls which has a drop of 177'. Again we just took the trail to the overlook as the trail into the canyon is quite steep and the hips and knees were already saying ENOUGH!