Yes, we’re still boondocking along the Tieton River in south-central Washington!
The crew and I sit in the Perfect Tow Vehicle which is parked along Route 12. We’re here to pick up internet signal and I’m online to post on this blog. We hear two very loud cracks of lightning.
On our way back to camp, a helicopter drops down behind the trees that line the banks of the Tieton River. Soon it lifts again with its red bucket filled with water. (Sorry about the poor quality photos. Don’t tell anyone, but I took the next two pics while driving.)
A mile or so up the road, the helicopter’s destination comes into view.
For the rest of the day the helicopter rumbles overhead. It continues making trips after dark. I fall asleep listening to it.
In the middle of the night I awake to the soft drumming of rain on the roof. Well, what a blessed sound. The firefighters must be grateful for the help.
The rain is not heavy, but it continues for over an hour.
The next morning everything is more vivid due to the rain. The greens are greener!
The crew and I are in a new camp!
Danny suggested I move over to the area where he moved in order to get out of the way of incoming floaters, kayakers, and the commercial outfits setting up business.
Yesterday (Thursday, August 22) I hitch up and relocate us to this site.
It’s lightly shaded and pleasant, if not spectacular. I like the way the ground is covered in pine needles all around the Best Little Trailer. I also like that it’s not a popular camping area, probably due to the devil of a drop-off from the main road in order to get in here . . . also the fact that the sites are not on the river.
My reason for staying in this area downstream from the Rimrock dam is to watch the floaters and kayakers tomorrow (Saturday).
Danny took off for Lost Lake to fish, so the crew and I have the place to ourselves. I think that’s where he said he was going. Anyway . . .
Bridget, Spike, and I walk the two-track lane to the river.
On the way I see photos all over the place!
A creek tumbles over rocks on its way to join the Tieton . . .
Nearby a pool remains quiet and still.
The lane leads to a small campsite, the only one by the river in this area.
We could’ve camped here, but it would’ve required some tight maneuvering and I didn’t feel like bothering with it. There’s something to be said for having a gorgeous river destination for a walk with the crew.
I’d also have to keep a close eye on Spike because he could easily end up floating the Tieton without a float! It’s a powerful river.
This morning I take the camp chair and set it up on a little peninsula.
Look closely at the photo above. See the rock and the short stump in front of the chair? Well, I know I posted a photo of a dipper in a recent post, but I have to show you some more. This little dipper (below) perched on that stump about eight feet away from me.
He kept still so I could take these pictures.
After singing — actually it was more like chit-chatting — he flew over to a rock barely sticking out of the waves where he did what he’s meant to do . . . dip!
What a glorious morning!
From this vantage point one can see the bridge. Our previous camp was upstream from this bridge. One thing that makes the Tieton River fun to photograph is the way it changes color depending upon the changing light and the time of day. Sometimes it’s a soft green, other times it’s a cold, dark blue. Now it’s a bold blue . . .
Here’s pretty much the same section of river about twenty minutes later. See what I mean?
After the dipper poses for its photo shoot, robins fly from one side of the river to the other. A raptor (some kind of bird of prey I can’t identify) appears from downstream and flies up the river, past me, over the bridge, and out of sight.
Huge trees lie along the river with rocks embedded in their roots.
Danny told me very strong winds whip through here. He didn’t say, but I guess that happens in the Spring.
Instead of the lane, we take the narrow path which is a shortcut home. Bridget leads the way. Spike dawdles behind.
I leave the camp chair at the river bank. We’ll come back in the afternoon. Spike needs his daily soak!
You knew it was coming . . .
Aren’t you glad you persevered all the way to the end?
rvsue
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Camp Chef Dutch Oven Lid Lifter
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Bubble Bath Mat
Lamaze Octotunes Musical Toy
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Walkfit Platinum Orthotics
Canon Digital Camera with 35x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
