Teton's

Sunday July 29, 2007

The mornings tend to be clear with beautiful mountain views. By afternoon the clouds gather round the mountain tops and often there is a rain shower -- but not today. Just great mountain views!

We saw bisen (no longer to be called buffalo), elk, moose, and pronghorn (no longer antelope).

Grand Teton's

Absolutely spectactular views of the Teton's - even with some haze and clouds. Mountains - especially very large mountains - usually gather the clouds during the day - add a few showers and then clear up. The Teton's rise up from the valley floor - appearing very grand!

Thayne, WY

Thayne, WY is about 90 miles from Teton National Park - situated in the Star Valley. This valley was once a rural ranching area that has been "discovered" as a place to be...... so prices are sky rocketing. We joined some SKP Friends at Star Valley RV Park. Familiar faces, Happy Hours, socials and good times. Celebrating an Anniversary for David & Brenda Neil we joined the folks for Burritos serve by "Big Mama", good dancing, and lots of beer at a local bar - Colter's

Yesterday we took a ride along the Greys River -- lots of good spots to park an RV along the river. Beautiful mountain valleys and views. The river ran clear and changed to muddy brown from last nights rain and creek runoff. Mountains seem to grow clouds and afternoon rains are common. This area has been very dry and really welcome the rains.

We passed thru part of the Oregon Trail -- and wonder at the trip those folks made.

We also saw the result of a lightning strike as a forest fire started in our near distance. Others called and the firemen were on their way.

John Day, OR

It is time to head east. We've enjoyed Oregon. John Day is a large area of eastern Oregon of ancient mountains, lava beds, and huge fossil beds going back in time. The scenery is ever changing with multicolored layers of deposits. This is high desert. Green with irrigation in the flat valley. Enjoyable travels.

Redmond, OR

The Rally RV Show in Redmond is now history, but here we are with Len and Sandy Macy at the Escapees booth. A busy show, but lots of fun as well.

Terrebonne, OR

Central Oregon is high desert territory. We're again staying with our friends Bob & Peggy Herlocker. The view of the Three Sisters Mtns is one of our favorites. This view is just a few miles down the road.

Oregon

Vancouver, WA was a stopping point for Lewis & Clark in 1806 heading west to the Pacific. Later the Hudson Bay Company from England settled in that area. Later the US laid claim to the area. Eventual settlements gave the land to the U.S. Today Ft Vancouver continues.

We have visited now the beginning and the end of the Oregon Trail -- almost 2000 miles of plains, mountains, and numerous water crossings. The determination, stamina and dreams of the pioneers always amaze us. Oregon City, OR is the End of the Oregon Trail. They left Independence, MO early April (as soon as grass was growing enough to feed the animals along the way) traveling 6 months to arrive in Oregon before winter began. Time 1840's. Glad we are modern day travelers.......

Mt St. Helens

Surprise -- Washington does have sunshine --- and it is fabulous! We enjoyed a whole day of sunshine as we drove to, viewed and enjoyed ranger talks at Mt St. Helen.

We visited Mt St. Helen a few years after it erupted and saw the devastation. In more than 20 years -- Mother Nature is mending. Trees replanted are growing tall. Even the areas left to come back naturally are making great progress. Animals, aquatic life, insects are all coming back and flourishing -- more than every anticipated.

Some interesting statistics: area of destruction was 223 sq miles (the size of Chicago land). The blast spewed rock, pumice, dust, debrie at a force the speed of sound (more than 800 miles / hr). The force of the plum into the air was like an atomic blast every 1.5 seconds for a total of ~10 minutes. The flow of debride was often more than 600' deep.

Lewis & Clark

We now know that the state of Washington does have mountains and even some sunshine now and then. The sun did peek thru the clouds today. And yes, Washington is very green!

Cape Disappointment is the western most trek for Lewis & Clark. The mouth of the Columbia River is one of the most difficult river entrances from the Pacific with frequently changing sand bars and frequent storms.

For Lewis & Clark it was a rough and treacherous trip from St Louis, MO to the Pacific. They wintered at Fort Clapsop, OR. In that time, they had 12 none raining days and only 6 days of sun. A rough winter resupplying for their trek east.

Olympic Rain Forest

Why is the Olympic Peninsula so Green?

Because if is a Rain Forest!

The coastal range can have 240" of rain per year!

The skies are grey - dark grey or lightening now and then.

No wonder they are so happy when the sun does shine.

The Washington coast is not as accessible as the Oregon Coast.

We saw large flat grayish sandy beaches at Ocean Shores. We even drove the car on the beach -- Kite flying is also very popular.
This picture is at Ruby Beach - note the "stacks" (rock) out in the water.

The Hoh Rain Forest is old growth Sitka Spruce, Hemlock, Cedar and Douglas Fir reaching 240' forming the top canopy, with Red Alder, Large leafed Maple a part of the understory, and the ground covered with berries, ferns, mosses and a myriad of low plants and wild flowers. The trees are draped with a variety of air plants -- living on the trees, but getting nutrients from the air and moisture laden breezes. A pretty Spectacular walk thru time --- some trees more than 1000 years old.

Mt Rainer

Today we were off to see a mountain -- Mt Rainer -- up close! Washington is GREEN with lots of large trees and green shrubs. Remember last winter with weather reports of more storms in northwest? Well Mt Rainer received too much rain resulting in major flooding and lots of destruction as the creeks and rivers raged overflowing their banks.


Well it was a delightful drive, even with heavy clouds and a national park bus ride from Longmire to Paradise, but nary a mountain to be seen in the fog! And wouldn't you know it -- once we left the mountain, the sun broke thru the clouds and we could see the mountain from afar in Lacey, WA.

Olympia, WA

Time for some touring ----- No this isn't Washington, DC - but Olympia, WA - the state capital. A beautiful building - recently refurbished. The design is a slightly smaller version of the Capital in D.C. The main area is grey to black Alaskan marble. With Italian, French and German marble in the Senate, House and Governor's area.

The rotunda is especially beautiful. The chandelier throughout the building are all Tiffany originals. This chandelier weighs 5 tons, the chain is an additional 1.5 tons. A VW beetle car could fit inside lengthwise - as the oblong area is 8.5' x 13'. Originally all of the ceilings were painted white and with the refurbishing it was decided to paint them -- absolutely beautiful!

Tacoma, WA

There is always something new to do at Escapees Chapter Rallies. Today Columbia River SKPs toured the Museum of Glass (art) in Tacoma, WA. Glass has been a stable item for thousands of years. Recently (more than 30 yrs ago) artists transformed glass into spectacular works of art.

“The bridge is the gateway that welcomes people to Tacoma. We wanted something unique in the world, something that is full of color and offers a joyous experience to passersby both night and day.”—Dale Chihuly -- The ceiling is a spectacular display of an underwater sea - made all of glass. For more information:
http://www.museumofglass.org/visit/bridge-of-glass/


At the Hot Shop we saw a team of glass artists create a glass watering can. With a variety of furnaces (2000 F), tables and tools......

Rose Parade

Saturday was rainy, but that didn't stop the Rose Parade - Portland

Enjoyed visitng Kathie Moran -- a friend from long ago!

Silver Falls State Park

A few enjoyable days in Salem, OR -- visiting friends, Gabby & Janice Lasko -- Thanks for dinner. Larry & Marie Emerson and Art & Caroline Fennell -- Thank You for joining us at the Elks for dinner. Of course some sight seeing was in order. It was a trip to Silver Falls State Park -- well known for it's many beautiful water falls.

Denny at the Upper North Falls - can you see Mr. Yellow? Yes, there I am on the bridge below South Falls. South Falls plunges 165'.

Hugs to all -- Susie & Denny Orr

Tillicum Beach

Tillicum Beach has been enjoyable -- but down right chilly! Warm weather in the valley pulls in the marine layer of cold and fog at the beach. Every once in a while there is a break in the clouds. A minus low tide = very low tide

Courtney and Laney Erikson enjoy the waves at the beach

Tugger enjoys walking the beach too!

Tillicum Beach

We’ve discovered a neat spot along the coast – Tillicum National Forest. This is our view:

Tugger at the beach with sunny skies
Sunset on the beach with waves rolling gently in
Fog on the beach – which was the view all day today – and just a block from the coast it was sunny. Went for lunch at a local eatery! More clam chowder for me – not rated as one of the best I’ve had. Denny sticks with a variety of hamburgers.

The tides fascinate me. As we look from our window we see the tides come and go. Walking the beach is decidedly different at high vs low tides. The difference at least 100’ feet and more. We’re here at full moon which = higher tides and lower or minus tides. The sand is hard packed for easy walking. The wave line interesting with various critters…. Lots of small crabs, clam shells, beetle looking crustaceans, jelly fish, star fish, sea weeds. Tomorrow plan to rise early and go down the road to a rocky area for low tide viewing of anemones, star fish, +++.

We’ve had one fairly warm day (okay for shirt sleeves), but mostly chilly – need a sweat shirt and windbreaker along the beach.