Summer's End

     I don't know how it happened, but an entire summer of camping has come and gone since I last posted on this blog.  We've had some great trips this summer, a few of our old favorite places and one or two new ones as well.  I am actually quite looking forward to this short but wonderful season of Autumn camping.  Some of the best camping happens in the fall, with the last of the warm weather and few campers, plus the crispness of a new and changing season all add up to some really great trips.  Especially if you plan on camping at the coast, in Oregon this is the best time of year to do so, and tomorrow we plan on taking full advantage of it.  With the forecast in the 80's with clear skies, it should be lovely.  Before we go though, I will leave a quick update of our previous summer trips and a few pictures as well.

June found us in Central Oregon camping along the Metolious River, outside Sisters, Oregon (though I can't actually remember the name of the camp ground) it was a small one, but pretty.  There were two prime spots, but we didn't get either (they are kind of connected to each other, so if there are people at one the other becomes not quite so wonderful.) Our spot wasn't too bad, in the shade but not near the river.  Dust everywhere, but we had fun and the rains didn't come until 2 minutes before we pulled out of there, though it was a bit on the chilly side all weekend.
     Since this trip I have started bringing a very small  inflatable pool (36in across) that only takes 8 gallons of water or so, and is great for cleaning dirt covered toddlers.  Though they inevitably get dirty again, it can save your sleeping bags or car just a bit of dirt!  Also, this size is nice because it's not that hard to heat enough water to make even snow melt river water bearable.  Here is a link to the one I purchased. http://www.amazon.com/Fun-Express-IN-49-403-Inflate-Duck/dp/B001JEG2OO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1410467834&sr=8-3&keywords=duck+pond+pool    In the past we have used our totes for this purpose, and that's nice too, but then they're all wet and dirty and sometimes you have a bunch of stuff (that you emptied out of them) floating around camp the rest of the trip.

Hannah and Mikaiah make some "flower soup" near the Metolious River.

Giving Sequoia a much needed bath before heading home.

End of June we made an extra trip to try and catch some nice weather and spend a weekend swimming at Yellow Bottom Campground 24 miles past Foster Lake, as I had done many a time as a teenager, but alas, it was not to be.  It rained Friday and half of Saturday, leaving us only with Sunday to swim in the sun and (colder than I remembered) water before heading home.  It was not a total wash however, with the company of some good friends and a nice canopy it was worth the trip anyway.  If you are wanting to do much camping at all, even just in Summer, I would highly suggest getting a canopy.  You can get cheap ones, but you often get what you pay for.  Here's the one we ended up with, and have really liked so far.  www.rei.com/item/782087/caddis-aluminum-rapid-shelter-8-x-8
   The biggest tip I have for camping in the rain is one you probably already know and happens once you come home, but is so important (and so dreaded it's easy to want to skip it) it is worth mentioning anyway.  Dry out your gear!  Don't take short cuts and assume your gear is "dry enough" and leave it be, no one wants to open up their tent (or air bed/sleeping bags/other gear) and find them mildewy and gross.  I've had this happen in the past and it is truly unpleasant.  Unless you're absolutely sure they are 100% dry (even your totes as well) then do yourself a favor and take it out at home and dry that gear.  I admit that this is the number 1 reason I don't like camping in the rain, but it is absolutely necessary.  If you skip on this, or aren't thorough, you will absolutely regret it later.

Taking Cover from the rain at Yellow Bottom Campground.

For July we spent our trip as we do every year, at Waterloo (near Lebanon) celebrating the Finley family reunion.  With only the first day filled with scattered showers and the rest of the time spent enjoying warm sun, the weather was finally getting on our side.  Days were spent floating the (not so warm, but still fun) river and watching the kids ride bikes and dig in the dirt.  We had a lovely spot under the trees, surrounded by family (and kids around Mikaiah's age, what a special treat!) This is a nice place to visit, especially since it is only 40 minutes away.

Mid August was a planned trip to Cold Water Cove on Clear Lake (along the McKenzie River trail) but a late start messed us up, and since we had no reservations (and 1/2 the sites are non-reservable) they were full when we got there.  This is possibly my very favorite place to camp, I was truly bummed, but never fear, we did find a spot 5.8 miles down the road at Trail Bridge Campground, where we had camped once before while my mom and some others were hiking 50 miles in one day, it was our staging area.  The spot we got this time  was not quite as nice, big, but in full sun.  Still, we were able to take out the canoe a few times on the reservoir as well as on Clear Lake during a day trip.  They actually have some very nice sites here near the river, a few on the lake as well but those are mostly for RV's (very gravelly) and some pretty ones in the trees that you haul your gear down to from the road.  Put next to Cold Water Cove though, it just doesn't compare.  Still, there was plenty of room for our 10 person group and a great view of the stars.