Saturday, August 25
After hearing about Rusty losing Timber, I start up the PTV and pull out of Clyde Holliday State Park. The crew and I head west on the John Day Highway. It’s a scenic ride. However, I am so depressed from hearing Rusty’s bad news that I have difficulty noticing any of it. Here and there I snap a photo without getting out of the PTV, but my spirits are so low, I hardly know what I’m doing.
At last I see the sign, “Ochoco Divide, 4,720 feet.”
Soon after that the PTV turns into Ochoco Divide Campground ($13 a night, $6 with Senior Pass) where Jim Melvin of Jimbo’s Journeys blog is camp host. Immediately we come upon his LazyDaze Class C in his campsite. My mood starts to lift. Gee, this is a pretty campground. And the sites are big with lots of privacy.
About halfway around the loop, there’s Jim standing by his golf cart.
He’s got a big smile, waving me to a stop. Later that afternoon we sit at my campsite, talking, laughing, and drinking wine. When two rving bloggers get together, there’s a lot to discuss! Bridget and Spike watch us from their pen. Jim is a friendly, down-to-earth guy with a great sense of humor, and before I know it, I’m feeling myself again.
Tuesday, August 28
The crew and I have had three relaxing and fun days hanging out at Ochoco Divide Campground. One day we took a ride over to see the Painted Hills.
Cool days and nights, pine-scented air, and laughing with Jim made this a great camp. And learning that Timber is found, hearing Rusty’s joyous reaction, and reading the happy comments on this blog have warmed my heart. If I didn’t have so much I want to see before it’s time to head back to southern Arizona, I’d stay longer at Ochoco.
I hitch up and swing by Jim’s campsite to say goodbye.
He takes a photo of Bridget looking out the driver’s side window of the PTV. “She’s making a left turn!” Jim jokes. Maybe he’ll post the photo on his blog, Jimbo’s Journeys at http://www.jimbosjourneys.com
The crew and I go through Prineville and Redmond on the way to the famous Sisters, Oregon.
I’m disappointed. What a touristy place it is! Here it is a Tuesday, for crying out loud, and people, cars, motorhomes, bicycles, and whatnot are dashing hither and yon. I’m cut off twice trying to park at some gas pumps. While navigating one of the narrow streets, my cellphone rings with a call from a reporter with the Arizona Republic newspaper. I pull off onto a side street, park, and answer his questions regarding the heart-tugging saga of Timber.
My plan is to camp at one of the many campgrounds along the Metolius River.
However, the drivers on Highway 126 coming out of Sisters are so pressured and pushy, I drive right on by, trying to get out of the area as quickly as possible. What is wrong with driving 55-60 mph in a 55 mph zone? How fast am I supposed to go, you yuppie morons! The traffic volume probably means crowded campgrounds in the area. Labor Day Weekend is this weekend.
Mt. Washington comes into view, snow-capped, lovely, and cloaked with clouds, but I can barely get a glimpse, what with the crazed drivers. There’s no place to pull off. It’s impossible to take a photos. Cars pass at what must be 70 mph crossing double lines. I can feel the stress of workdays gone by affecting me physically. Darn it. I’ll drive all the way into the Pacific if I have to! Anything to get away from these fools!
Now we’re riding alongside the fast-moving waters of the MacKenzie River.
The beauty of the river revives my spirits. I take a look at Cold Cove Campground. It turns out the best sites are taken or terribly difficult to back into, so I keep going. A short distance down the road is Ice Cap Campground. Despite the forbidding name, it’s a delightful place. The ponderosa pines are huge here, the sites are big and well-spaced, and, best of all, there are waterfalls!
Now I really feel like we’re in Oregon!
I’m trying to catch up after several days without internet connection, so the slideshow covers several days and several miles.
rvsue
Canine Corner: “It’s a Guy Thing” by Spike
Women!
You know, it sure was great hanging with Jim for a few days. Not that I don’t like the company of rvsue and the Bridge. It’s just that . . . well, being around women all the time can kinda’ get to a guy. Know what I mean? The drama is too much.
Jim’s a laid-back guy. I’m gonna’ miss him comin’ round the pen with a beer in his hand, telling funny stories. It was great.
‘Course it woulda been better if he brought over a brewski for me, too.
rvsue and her canine crew 