Wednesday, May 6
“Brrrr! Where did this cold come from! Let’s go!”
The mighty and Perfect Tow Vehicle carries Bridget, Reggie, me and the Best Little Trailer away from Prineville Reservoir and over the mountain to Route 20, southeast of Bend, Oregon. On the way we pass a few vacation homes and a ranch with a field of handsome horses.
Driving northwest toward Bend, a light rain falls.
Up ahead a sheet of white obscures the landscape. What is that? Could that be snow?
I’m given an answer soon . . .
Hail!
We approach Bend and the hail (very tiny pellets) goes to snow and then rain and back to hail. As I pull into the Safeway parking lot, the precipitation conveniently pauses long enough to allow the crew a quick walk-about.
Bridget and Reggie happily return to the warmth of the PTV while I shop.
Nice store! The aroma of Chinese food emanates from the deli. I’m drawn in — gee, I haven’t had Chinese food in years!
I follow my nose.
Tantalizing dishes are borne out of the kitchen and set in the case over which customers salivate as they wait. When it’s my turn, I choose a plate of Kung Pao Chicken, Orange Chicken, and Chinese noodles.
By the time the crew and I reach Big River Campground, south of Bend, the intermittent rain-hail-snow has stopped.
I set up a basic camp in a site by the river.
The crew and I walk around the campground loop.
This is a small, rustic, Deschutes National Forest campground ($10 regular/$5 senior pass).
At the self-pay station I drop a check for $10 (2 nights) in the iron ranger. We hurry back to the BLT. The Wave 3 heater keeps us warm. (And the Chinese food is delicious!)
Thursday, May 7
I open the door of the BLT and peek outside. More snow and hail in the night!
This next photo shows the campsite next to ours.
Bridget ventures out for a potty run in “our back yard” between the BLT and the river.
I put a leash on Reggie and we step outside.
“Hey, big boy. Do you remember walking in snow?”
He sniffs and sniffs, as if the snow isn’t there.
“You want to walk in this? You’re a pretty tough guy, Reggie.”
This is the Big River.
It flows through western Oregon for twelve miles — deep and wide and deceptively fast-moving.
Reggie and I don’t walk far on the riverbank.
(Bridget is smart. She’s in the BLT where it’s warm.) The ever-curious Reggie wants to see everything.
“C’mon, enough of this! We can come out later. I want a cup of coffee!”
rvsue
NOTE: This post was written two days later. No more snow and it’s warm again with highs in the low 70s.
THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
“Bridgie, honey. Isn’t your bottom cold, sitting in the snow?”
