Top Photo: The gateless gate on the East Moraine trail near Joseph, Oregon.
Top photo: Our camper looks so cozy tucked in.
Top Photo: View of Lake from our campground before smoke rolled in.
Top photo: As we’re getting settled into our site and are already enjoying the scenic views. Memaloose Island, in the Columbia River, can be seen on the right center of the photo.
Top photo: Fog & logs on a chilly, windy beach visit.
Top photo: View from the path to the beach just before sunset.
Above Photo: Path to the beach from the campground as it goes under Highway 101.
Above photo: View of the Deschutes River from McGregor Point in La Pine SP. On the horizon is Paulina Peak, near where we camped the night before.
Above Photo: Late afternoon view of the Pacific Ocean.
Our mini spring road trip's objective was to visit four Oregon State Parks that were new to us in eastern Oregon, none of which take reservations. Yeah — mission accomplished!
Above Photo: The Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site in John Day is well worth the visit. We didn't have a chance to see it this time around but did visit it previously.
Above Photo: Observed on the banks of Camas Creek.
Spacious campsites at Catherine Creek.
Above Photo: Sunset at Unity Lake.
Above Photo: A view from the remaining upper pond at Bates State Park. The lower pond was filled in when the lumber mill was demolished.
This State Park located on the John Day River has been on our bucket list for some time. This former working ranch is the second largest & newest park in the Oregon Park system. (note: newest park that offers camping).
Top Pic: Blooming Lilacs throughout the campground.
Bonus stop. One more night on the road before returning to Bend. We swung a tad out of our way so we could check out the area & lakes along Hwy 31 on the way home.
We had a very windy 145-mile drive today and, in the process, traded Jeffery Pines for sagebrush with great views.
"A quick drive up the coast brought us to this campground we last visited during fall of 2013. It looks like this will a good base for exploring the area before heading home."
