SUMMER 2012

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After leaving Diamond Lake we spent one night in Prineville at an RV Park that had full hook-ups and a Laundromat. You guessed it! We needed to do laundry and reorganize for our trip ahead. It was sad to see how the economy has affected this area of Oregon. The park we were in used to be a very active place, but now it is used primarily by low-income families who cannot afford to live in regular housing. This park, along with others, is up for sale. It was first listed for $1.3 Million. Now they have it up for just $650,000 and it is still not selling!! A huge park with meeting room, pool and spa, hook-up sites and a large tent area. People cannot afford to keep up these places and are losing it all.

Next morning (Wednesday) we drove on Hwy 26 from Prineville to Mt. Vernon and then north on Hwy395 to Pendelton. What a beautiful drive this was through the mountains, reaching several summits of 4,000ft. to almost 5,000ft. We drove through magnificent Pine Forests and Lava rock mountains with interesting rock formations. Much of the road was being repaved since they can only do this in the summer months (they are covered in snow in the winter). Steep, winding road with loose gravel - reminded us of driving in Alaska.

Once out of the mountains the country in and around Pendelton changed dramatically. Every hill was cultivated with wheat and the only trees to be seen were around the river where there was water. The wheat has just been harvested and now they are bailing the hay. Wednesday night we stayed in the RV park at the casino on Native Reserve land.

Thursday, Aug. 30 we were driving through wheat country all day along Hwy 12 to Clarkston, WA right on the Washington/Idaho border. Here we are at Granite Lake Premier RV Resort - right on the lake. The Snake River is also in this area and Jet Boat tours through Hell's Canyon or along the River are available. Too bad we are staying only one night!!

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