Back in Montana!

I am now back at Clark Canyon Reservoir, the most northern point in Montana that I reached on my first attempt to bird in this state. 

The temps are in the 70's about 25 degrees cooler than in July! I was able to get the same campsite that I had on my first visit!

I will stay here until after Labor Day. Then I head to Fort Peck about 500 miles northeast of here where I hope to see new birds like the Blue Jay and Brown Thrasher.

Massacre Rocks State Park, Idaho

Well I'm back at Massacre Rocks but with the knowledge I gained from my last visit, I picked a campsite with a better view!

Last visit I was surrounded by Juniper trees close to the freeway. This spot is not as close to freeway so a bit quieter and the temps are 15 degrees cooler which makes for longer and more pleasant bird walks! It was fun to stand on the cliff and watch the pelicans fly by at eye level!

Despite the high temps, the sunflowers were in full bloom!

I also took time to notice the rock formations! 

I am not a geologist but I am confident those rocks are hardened lava! So much interesting and diverse beauty to be seen across our country!

Glenn's Ferry, Idaho

 I am back at Three Island Crossing State Park but this time I am headed east and the the temps are about 10-15 degrees cooler than a month ago! This location is truly an oasis with lush green watered lawns and trees surrounded by sagebrush and brown grass.

Even though my main focus, while traveling, is bird watching, I really enjoy seeing historical places like this one. This location was a main crossing for wagons traveling north and south. They still have one of the original ferries used to cross the Snake River. 

The ferry reminds me of scenes from old western movies like True Grit and The Outlaw Josey Wales! Still standing, on the north side of the river, is the tripod and pulley used in the crossing. 

In the background, beyond the tripod, you can see the wagon trail that angles down across the hill. When I think of the ease that we currently have when traveling, it increases my admiration the toughness of the men and women of that historic era! 

Out of the smoke!

 For those who do not have the opportunity to flee the wildfire smoke, you have my sympathy! After a week of breathing smoke from Veneta to Sisters, I took advantage of my situation and cut my Indian Ford stay short. I headed east about 130 miles to Chickahominy Reservoir, one of my frequent stopping spots. I went thru a refreshing 20 mile wide rain shower just east of Bend. 

Normally, at this location and time of year, I would expect to be surrounded by dust and brown vegetation but instead the ground is muddy and the vegetation is green! Well as green as it gets in the high desert!

The reservoir is as full if not fuller than when I was here a month ago!

The temperature is just 65 with a high of 71 expected! I will enjoy this situation for a few days while I contemplate my future travels!

Indian Ford Campground

Indian Ford is one of my regular stopping spots. It is located about 6 miles west of Sisters on Hwy 20.

You might wonder why I stay in a pay to stay campground when there are so many free spots nearby in the National Forest. I did do that for a while as this campground became reservation only and as I prefer to arrive mid-week and leave mid-week it became a challenge to find a spot not reserved for just the weekend. They have made one site First-come First-serve so that helps but I was able to book a 6 day stay on line. I guess the summer heat and smoke from the forest fires kept campers away!

As you can see, in the above picture, smoke is present. This area is under a red flag warning for unhealthy air quality. Back to why I "pay to stay" here. One is that there is no RV dump here or when you boondock so I use the pit toilet as much as possible so as not to have to transport my waste water to the next camp site. Also they have dumpsters for trash so again no transporting. Finally there is Indian Creek, one of the few in this area. 

Obviously the water is not for drinking but I use it to wash my truck and my trailer. I also keep a 5 gallon bucket at my camp site to wash my hands and in fire season for prevention. I could put out a small fire or maybe slow a large one just long enough to hook up and leave! My set ups are very minimal so I can be gone in less than 20 minutes. In hot weather I just sit on the bank and soak my feet in the cold water. It is a beautiful place to stay and Sisters is close by for any basic needs I might have. 

Ray Benson Sno-Park

 After fleeing the high temps on the east side of the Cascades, I spent a month on the Oregon coast enjoying some relaxing cool temps! Now that temps have lowered to a more comfortable range, I am back on the road headed east again . Tonight I am at the Ray Benson Sno-park on the Santiam Highway.

Thanks to Jim and Jeanette Scott for informing me of this location! Obviously it is not a campground as its primary design is for winter use like snow mobile riding and skiing. This time of year it is mostly used by OHV riders as there are miles of trails criss-crossing this area. You can stay here for free and if I read the posted documentation correctly for up to 2 weeks. I am just using it for a short stay until my Indian Ford campground reservations start on the 19th. There have been rain showers off and on since I passed thru Blue River on the Mc kenzie River. The moisture is desperately needed to assist in fighting the wildfires in the area. The wildfire smoke is clearing out and a cool breeze is blowing thru the trailer! I will sleep well tonight!