Wed 7/22/20 Scenic Route to Bend

The Covid-9 pandemic continues to rage. Idaho is now a "hot spot". Nevertheless, we head off for another of our one week, stay close to home, vacations. We were supposed to go to the Canadian Rockies this month, but the border is still closed.

This trip will be a circle route taking us to Bend, Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood, the Columbia Gorge and Pendleton.

Given enough time, that is, a whole day, when we go to Bend we like to take the "scenic route" through John Day on Rt 26. A much more interesting and attractive drive than the quicker alternative on Rt 20. We detoured to check out both units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Its really hot today, up to 97!

Upon arrival in Bend we met up with our old friends Mick and Sue Sears for a nice dinner at Olive Garden.  Our hotel is a Sleep Inn.

Thursday 7/23 Smith Rocks, Billy Chinook and Mt Hood

Spectacular sunny day! Cloudless skies and temps in the 80s. We drove around Bend for a bit. We were disappointed that the road up to Pilot Butte was closed, due to Covid. Nuts! It would have been beautiful view of the Sisters! We visited our old neighborhood. Its looks quite nice, actually. Our old house seems well cared for.

We the headed up Rt 97 to Terrabone and Smith Rocks State Park. What a place! And so crowded! Great views of rock formations with the Crooked River down below. I did some great hiking & biking there years ago.

After a quick stop at the Peter Skeen Ogden viewpoint featuring the old bridge and the canyon, we headed north to the Cove Palisades State Park on the Billy Chinook Reservoir. What a fun place! There's an interesting "resort" there that might make a fun vacation some time. Nice lunch overlooking the beach.

Another two hours driving north up to Government Camp and the base of Mt Hood. We arrived at Timberline Lodge around 4:30. What a view! The lodge was dedicated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1937 and still retains its original purpose of providing all-season recreational opportunities. Some of it is shut down due to the virus, but two of the restaurants are open. We had dinner at the Ram's Head - I had chili, Sam had a great Bison Stew!

Its chilly up here! Its only in the low 60s! Tomorrow we'll hike the Pacific Coast Trail.

Friday 7/24 at Timberline

Today we just hung out at Timberline Lodge. Another bright sunny day but still cool, only in the 60s. Leisurely breakfast in the hotel dining room, then a walk around the lodge admiring the view and wild flowers.

There is still skiing here on a patch of remaining snow halfway up the mountain. Lots of skiers! There is also a busy "bike park". Any kind of equipment you want is available for rent. There are also many serious hikers doing some long distances on the Pacific Crest Trail which runs right through here.  We visited with a group from Utah who had just completed an 8 day trip on the trail!

We spent some quiet time this morning sitting in the sun on the patio reading our books. Then a light lunch from our cooler. After lunch Sam had her siesta while I hiked 2.5 miles on the PCT, which was awesome!

A very good and VERY expensive dinner in the hotel dining room. This evening we watch the Mariners on TV; their first game of this shortened season.

This old hotel is charming! Our only complaint is that the rooms are very small. Its hard to move around!

Tomorrow we head down to the Gorge and end in The Dalles.

Saturday 7/25 Leave Mt. Hood; IKEA to The Dalles

Another spectacular morning on the mountain, but its time to move on! We really enjoyed our two days at Timberline. While the mountain is incredibly busy with skiers and bikers (all the parking lots are full!), the lodge itself is quiet and peaceful with great places to enjoy the sunshine and do some hiking!

Although its not on the way, and we had lots of time today, we headed to Portland for a quick stop at IKEA. Just the usual stuff - candles and chocolate cookies! From the top of Timberline to IKEA is about 60 miles, all downhill, so our gas mileage for that leg was 65!! (We ended the day at 42).

From IKEA we crossed the river and picked up Rt 14 along the north side of the Columbia. Its slower, but a lot more interesting than the interstate on the Oregon side. We went as far as The Dalles and crossed back over to our Comfort Inn for the night. Interestingly, as we passed Hood River and The Dalles we didn't see anybody wind surfing! Most unusual, particularly since it was such a beautiful Saturday. This area is know as a "wind surfing capital". The only explanation we came up with was that it was a calm day - no wind!

Fantastic dinner this evening at the historic Baldwin Saloon. The walls inside ware covered with turn of the century oil paintings by Joseph Englehart and others. Exterior walls on the buildings in nearby blocks were festooned in wonderful murals.

Tomorrow we go back to Hood River to visit the Western Antique Aeroplane and Auto Museum then back across and on up to Maryhill Winery, a required stop anytime we come through the Gorge. Weatherman promises a very hot few days coming, reaching 100!