Labor Day Week End near Walton Lake, Oregon

Saturday the 3rd of September 2011 found us headed to the Ochoco National Forest again, only this time we went through Prineville and headed to Mitchel on highway 26, branching off on the Ochoco Forest Ranger Station road (highway 22) then we turned and went on toward Walton Lake.  We didn't go all the way up there as there was a small city in that area. :)  What wonderful weather we had, sunshine during the day and cold at night so sleeping was good!  We joined Faye and Jack Groves, Jim and Beverly English (cousins) our son Greg and Jack's sister Patsy and her husband Steve.

I am standing by the creek looking back at the camp.  Arlo is sitting with his coat on and Jim English is standing.

Looking at the camp from the direction of the highway.  Love the forest, with all the really large trees.

Another angle from the highway.

another look from a different angle, our trailer and Faye and Jack's RV.

The creek, don't know the name of it but it was nice.

Across the creek looking South up the hill.  Greg put a box up there to do some target practice.

Sunday afternoon, we roasted hotdogs, how good they tasted then we, Beverly and myself  toasted a couple of those really big marshmellows and they were good but boy were they messy!  Sitting on the left is myself, then Arlo and Beverly.  Jim is taking the picture.

Greg and his dad Arlo Henderson

Games were the name of the game in the evening.

Facing the camera, Jack, his sister Patsy, then Greg and Beverly and with his back to us is Steve. 

Faye at this end of the table.  They are playing a card game called Hand & Foot.

Jim and myself

Jim and Jack cleaning up the bbq getting ready to leave on Monday.

Greg getting himself and his Harley ready to leave and then him leaving....sure enjoyed him coming and spending the weekend with us.

Steve after taking the dogs for a hike up the hill across the highway.

the dogs after their hike, Gus and Buddy

One by one they left, first Steve and Patsy as they had work in the afternoon, then Faye and Jack left after lunch.  We spent the morning playing "Train" dominos then roasted those really good "Hill" wienors and tried to clean out the fridge's, seems like we did a lot of eating . :)  We didn't even bother to cook dinner as we were all full!   Hope to go again as really like that area!  Next time will take more pictures of those really nice trees.

So long until the next time....Rodeo is coming up and Cynthia and her family will be here as will Greg.

July Camping in the Ochocos, Oregon

2nd of July found us hurrying around getting ready to go camping with cousins, Jim and Beverly English and Faye and Jack Groves.  We drove down I 84 to Biggs Junction where we turned South on to highway 97 to Madras then after Madras we turned on highway 26 going toward Prinevill.  Before arriving at Prineville we turned East on NE Gerke road to intersect with McKay road going more North East.  We ended up camping on the McKay Creek.  (picture).

My Chair, you can see where I sat listening to the song of the creek and soaked up the vitamin D of the sun.

Our Camp was tranquil even though we not to far off the road, but traffic was lite.

Our camper and pickup, didn't have the awning up yet but with it out we were very comfortable from the afternoon sun.  Had a outdoor rug out that helped keep the inside free from the dirt and grass we might have packed in.

Another view of the forest around us.

Another view of McKay creek.

Cousin Jim and Beverly's RV.

Cousin Jack and Faye Groves RV.  Jack is putting out the awning and Jim is starting the grill, he is the unofficial grill chef. :)  He fixed stakes for dinner to go with the rest of the fixens we had for dinner.

Jim also cooked pancakes and bacon for breakfast on Friday morning. :)

Arlo and Jack taking it easy.  You see Zena, Jim and Beverly's great dane, such a really nice dog.  Never heard her bark all the time she was there.  Never jumped up on a person, but really liked to lean into you for attention. :)  No pictures of myself, Beverly or her sister in law Sandra, who was visiting from Minnesota.  will have to do better next time out.

Faye and Arlo in this picture, you can see we have plenty of chairs for relaxing and a table for our food.

Tried to get a picture of the wild Iris flowers but they didn't show up to good.

More wild flowers and grasses.

All in all we had a great camping experience.  One bit of information was that pulling down into the camping area it was almost V shaped and hung up so that Jim had to hook onto our pickup and help pull us on up into the camping area.  After that happened the three of us, Jim, Arlo and myself, put rock and dirt into the dip so it would be easier for Faye and Jack to come in with the motor home.  It did help.  Arlo said he didn't sleep much the first night wondering if we would be able to pull out when the time came to leave. :)

We were able to pull out but did hang up some and Alro had to really pore it on to get up and out of there.

Now where will we go next....somewhere closer but just as nice.  See you next time. :)