Sunday, August 9 (continued)
In the last episode of “RVSue and her canine crew” . . .
Bridget, Reggie, and I park in the lot next to the police station in John Day, Oregon. An online check of maps of active fires in the Northwest convinces me to drive eastward.
(Note: I’ve been informed in real time – 8/15/15 – that areas near Canyon City are being evacuated due to an approaching wildfire. This is several days after we were there.)
The Perfect Tow Vehicle carries us through Prairie City on Route 26. . . The Journey Through Time Scenic Byway.
Soon we’re in the Blue Mountains! We approach three campgrounds, one right after another, like beads on a bracelet.
The first one is Oregon Campground, a small campground with signs of heavy use. I note a dusty parking lot in the campground, specifically for off-road vehicles.
In spite of the wear, the crew and I walk around until we find this pretty site.
Just as we’re considering it, the camp host for the three campgrounds comes by.
He tells me I’d like the next campground better. “It’s a lot bigger than this one,” he says.
“Actually, I prefer small campgrounds like this,” I reply.
“Then go to the third campground, Wetmore. It’s small and it’s prettier than this one.”
We cruise through Yellow Pine since it’s the next one we come to.
The campground is very nice.
Although the understory consists of low-growing plants, the campground road curves and dips in such a way to give a feeling of privacy at each site. The wide spacing helps, too.
It’s early in the day and only a few campers are here.
Next we look at Wetmore Campground.
Beautiful and no one is here but us!
Oh, this is a great site! And there’s a water spigot near the picnic table!
Sunday, August 9 – Tuesday, August 11
The charm of this little campground and our campsite is not apparent from these photos. It’s difficult to capture the beauty of the towering ponderosa pines and firs in a photo and impossible to convey their fragrance in words.
What makes a place charming has more to do than its appearance. All the senses contribute, plus there’s an “atmosphere,” a sense of being wrapped in solitude. During these quiet days I savor the peaceful enchantment the forest provides.
The crew and I walk/ride the wheelchair-accessible nature trail.
The walkway is paved, giving the Bridge a smooth ride. “Having fun, honey?”
Every dawn and every dusk a doe with her fawn graze at the edge of our campsite. I try not to disturb them.
This photo was taken through the back window glass of the Best Little Trailer using the camera’s zoom. She senses she is being watched.
They aren’t alarmed and continue grazing.
Bridget doesn’t need her stroller for morning walks.
The forest is pleasantly cool (elevation: 4,300 feet).
Occasionally someone will drive into the campground, use the vault toilet, and leave with hardly a glance at what is here. During our time at Wetmore, a fifth-wheel and a travel trailer come in — I hold my breath — and they leave! Yay!
Funny how having a water spigot feels like a luxury.
I use a light, aluminum stock pot on the BLT’s stove to heat water for baths. With plenty of water available I fill up basins and take long baths outside in the sunshine. (I can hear anyone driving into the campground which gives plenty of warning!)
After a bath I sit in my lounger reading my Paperwhite while my feet soak in a basin of hot water. My hair dries quickly.
Wetmore Campground was named after Pennsylvanian lumberman, Edward D. Wetmore.
He is the founder of Kinzua, Oregon, a lumber company town existing from 1927 to 1978.
Here’s what I found on Wikipedia:
“In 1965, Kinzua included 125 homes, a community hall, church, library, store, and the golf course. When the mill closed in 1978, the buildings were removed and the townsite was planted with trees, mainly ponderosa pine.”
The camping fee at Wetmore Campground is five dollars.
For me and my crew only $2.50. Pretty nice, eh?
Next post: The crew and I leave Wetmore Campground on August 12th and hurry away from Oregon wildfires.
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
I appreciate every order. Here’s a sample of items recently purchased by readers:
Adult Coloring Book: Stress Relieving Animal Designs
Protein Powder Low Carb Dutch Chocolate
Stanley 10 Watt Lithium-Ion LED Spotlight
Wireless Bluetooth Speaker
Cleanwaste Poo Powder
NOAA Weather Radio
One year ago . . . Curtains hung out to dry at Boulder Lake Camp, Wyoming
CLICK LINK TO SHOP AMAZON NOW!
