We took the truck over the mountains (actually we went out through the Gorge and came back through the mountains) to Tygh Valley last weekend. Since our trip to Panther Creek we've shortened the scaffolding in the back by 3 inches (guess the solar cell will have to ride on top) and it is way more comfortable to sleep back there. I also made window covers, but then I forgot to bring them with.
On Saturday we stomped around at White River Falls State Park. It has several impressive waterfalls and a decommissioned hydro station. They have a very cool placard showing you which areas to stay out of because otherwise the river will kill you. I didn't see anyone taking that advice though. I think as long as it doesn't rain it's fine. And as long as you don't fall in, I did see a couple people tempting fate on that front but nothing too egregious. Some folks must have had a wedding at the park because there were roses and rose petals all over.
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| The top cascade. |
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| The power house from above. |
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| Rose petal lined pathway. |
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| I accidentally implied that Nick should be serious. |
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| I swear that kid is not peeing. |
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| Second cascade and pool. |
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| Cool windows on the power house. |
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| Cool pipe leading to the turbines. |
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| Cool rivet guys on the pipe. |
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| Downstream from the third falls. |
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| Nick and the third falls. |
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| Mostly normal selfie. |
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| Downstream side of the power house. |
Saturday night we camped next to the Deschutes River, which is quite the thing. There is a lot of water going through there and it's pretty rocky and shallow so it's moving fast. The fishing must be great because there were quite a few folks around angling and there were a bunch of rickety looking platforms cantilevered out over the water. It looked very exciting. There are a lot of campgrounds through there to host the fisherpeople, which was nice. We stayed at the Oasis camping area right below Maupin. We ended up getting our dinner and breakfast from the grocery store in town because the adapter for our propane tank apparently deformed during its test run and was no longer gas-tight. We have since obtained a better one. It all turned out for the best because I had amazing shepherd's pie for breakfast and now I'm inspired to make my own.
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| Truck and campsite with the swanky part of Maupin overlooking it all. |
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| Breakfast spot. |
Sunday we did a 5 mile hike from the Criterion Ranch Trailhead, south of Maupin on 197. It was beautiful open deserty plains. We had intended to hike to a waterfall but the relevant stream was not flowing so in the end we just hiked to a cleft in some rocks. But the views were great.
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| Pretty yellow bush. |
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| Trail through the scrubby grass. |
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| Desert selfie. |
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| I think this is a meadow for part of the year. |
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| View down to the Deschutes. |
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| Selfie with chossy cliffs. |
