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Published: September 28th 2017
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blog 09-27-17 Chehalas, WA to Bend, OR
We have long since learned not to believe the google maps about how long it takes to get to a destination. Granted, we go slower then 70 on the interstates but 2 hrs longer on a 4 hr trip, come on!
We left the campground by 10 and were on the I-5 15 min later with very little traffic. It was a little hilly, but not bad and we were around Portland and on Rt 26 heading east and south within 1 1/2 hrs. They didn't warn us that we would be viewing Mt Hood around every bend and each viewing was better than the last. There is snow on the mountain and it is a perfect cone so it just sticks up everywhere, and being 11,250 ft there is nothing that can hide it.
We wound around one alpine village after another down a two lane road that seemed narrow because of the very tall trees along the edge, seemed like we were in a tunnel. After crossing the mountain range we were in the high plateau section of OR and it was very dry there. The trees were fewer
and were pine trees not spruce anymore, some very stubby and weak looking. Then the land dropped and leveled out and there were farms all over. Some dairy farms, some cattle ranches and some growing crops with the help of irrigation. I forgot the sheep and goats and a huge alpaca farm.
All along the way to our west there was one mountain after another all with snow caps looking very regal. There was Mt Jefferson, Flat Top, The Three Sisters and Mt Bachlor all 9,000 ft or above and several more at only 5,000 ft, no snow on them.
We found our campground 22 miles south of Bend but just off the main road and as we turned the corner to pull into their road three more mountains appeared. Picture.
We found our spot right away and were settled in 10 min, poor kids don't get a fenced yard here, we are only staying one night. After a nice walk for them Ginnie and I went to the campground store because I was almost out of soda and we wanted to investigate what they had. They have almost everything including beer. It is the only store
in the area so people who live here or just passing through stop there too, not just the campers.
There was a food truck by the entrance and he specialized in pizza! Hooray!! We were both hungry for pizza so we each got an individual pizza to our liking and went home for happy hour and dinner all in one. We did feed the dogs first.
As we waited for our pizza to be cooked we talked to the chef about the area and asked him what the big holes in the ground
all over were from. The holes are about the size of a small saucer and we thought they must have big ground squirrels or something, no he said, it's rabbits. The rabbits are not our friends, there are too many of them. Then we had to say like the seals in the Columbia River and he said "Boy, you're not kidding. When you go fishing in a boat on the river and catch a fish you have to quick back your boat over to the fish, if you make a lot of noise and comotion the seals in the river are on your fish
in a flash." It's a jungle out there.
After dinner we were able to sit outside and enjoy the pine forest and special scent it has until the sun went down and so did the temperature. It was 75 again today but will go down to 40 tonight but promises to be 75 and sunny again tomorrow.
Ginnie's thoughts: While I am driving on the windy, hilly roads at 55 mph she gets really nervous. I haven't driven off the road yet so she will continue to let me drive she needs a rest sometimes.
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Mary Ellen Rosencrance
non-member comment
Bend OR
Did you drive through the lava fields on the way to Bend? As I remember it was on 26.