So we decided we needed to remedy this. However, after looking at our respective calendars the only weekend we ALL had available was the tail-end of August. With all the induction and inservice weeks I had I knew this would be tricky to plan and execute, in addition, August was at church camp that weekend and would need to get picked up...so we had to choose and find a campground close to his camp.
It all worked out and we booked a few campsites in Hood River.
Thankfully, most everyone was able to make it.
Brent and I left early Friday and headed to Hood River. We saw that we were able to either go on a highway over Mt. Hood or we could go through Maupin and come out in The Dalles. We chose the later in order to stop by the Oasis and get some milkshakes.
Daddy taking care of business!
After our tummies were full we headed out to our campground...
It was a beautiful drive and when we finally arrived we were excited at how lovely the creek was that ran right behind all three campsites.
After exploring and choosing our campsite we started to unload the car and set up camp.
Shortly after Jen and Brea arrived.
Brent needed to do homework, so we left him and went to explore the other loop of the campground that was on the other side of highway 84. We looked for their "playground" which I assume was a swing set in a small field. Then we headed down to the day use area right as the sun was setting.
As we were walking down I realized that Brent and I had stopped their before on our trip to Cascade Locks while I was pregnant with Emmett. So, that was a neat connection to make.
It was nice down by the water.
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| The creek behind the campsites |
Emmett was in heaven throwing rock and getting muddy.
Once it was dark we started walking back. Brent was heading there and met us over by the swings. On the way back to the campsite we were able to walk right up to a train that was passing and Emmett was saying, "I so scared mom, its so scary". It was loud, and after I went ahead and picked him up and walked even closer, he was really interested. He even said goodbye to the train.
We got back and started to make dinner. Jen's lantern wasn't lighting and we realized her mantels were turning to dust.
Brent went ahead and drove to walmart (8miles away) to buy some things. Around that time my mom and Kathy showed up too. We got them all set up and ate some dinner.
There was a campfire ban due to the high winds and temperatures, so unfortunately we made marshmallows over the camp stove...not a true camping experience, but Kathy was loving it so far.
The next morning I got up unnaturally early. I made some coffee and sat down by the creek. It was really hard to take in nature or sleep at this camp due to the proximity to the highway.
It. was. so. loud.
The cars seemed to never stop. When I went down to the creek it at least drowned out the bulk of the noise. Brent finally awoke and got ready to go retrieve August from camp.
He took Emmett with him so I could help with breakfast.
Once Jen got up we made some breakfast burritos. Once Brent returned we had a family meeting and decided to go check out the Bonneville Dam some waterfall trails for the day.
After the tour of the Dam we headed over to the fish hatchery where we ate lunch and met up with Josh. We then walked around the fish hatchery looking at all the different fish of various sizes. We got to see some pretty huge sturgeon.
From the hatchery we drove across the road to do the Wachella hike...however it was still closed from the Gorge fires. So we went to starvation creek trail head next to the camp for a quick little jaunt by some waterfalls.
After some hiking we settled back in and had a night of games in the campground.
The next morning we decided to go check out Hood River.
In Hood River after finding parking, Josh headed back. We walked around and explored until we got hungry. We ate at a little pizza joint next to the train station. Brent and I had been there before years ago when we took the boys on the Polar Express.
It was close to the river and it was fun seeing all the people out on the water, kite skiing/boarding(?) and wind surfing.
My mom, Kathy, and Brayden left to go to Portland and pick up my sisters dog.
So it was just what was left of our crew, Jen and Brea.
After the trolley ride we decided to head out. Jen and Brea stayed and checked out more of the shops and things around Hood River.
We never actually stop at the White River confluence when we float the Deschutes, so I have never seen it. I heard that people hike up to where there are some natural waterslides. I didn't know what to expect.
There was a gated overlook onto this milky waterfall and river.
You are also to hike down a trail and there is a designated swim spot on a map, that said life jacket area.
From that park with the overlook we decided not to hike down and swim there, but to go to the Deschutes. We drove further down the road where it indicated there was a bridge going over the Deschutes by Sherrar Falls.
It was tribal fishing land on the falls and you could see a scattered few people actually fishing.
Driving from where we normally have taken out the last couple years it was hard to recognize the Deschutes it was so milky. We drove up past the Escalator (pictured below) and to the confluence of the White River.
It was cool to see such a drastic merging of the rivers.
Then we drove up past the Wapanitia put in and played in the water.
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| It was cold and not like the John Day |
Maps of the rapids.
The boys wanted to get in boots and all, so it was life jacket time for Emmett.
He had so much water in his boots. Good thing they were only $5 boots.
Love camping. Love my family. Love when we get to do these things together and create some awesome memories.
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