Salt Creek Falls

Amazingly, it has been many years since I stopped and looked at Salt Creek Falls.  This is surprising since I pass right by it on the way to and from Bend.  This weekend we decided to make the stop.  There are a number of hikes that start from the parking lot at the  falls, which I will make a point to explore soon.  Perhaps this fall.

A hot weekend along the upper Smith River, northern California

Swimming hole on the Smith River

 When I travel to the Smith River country in northern California, I always wonder why I don't go more often.  It is not a long trip, and I enjoy the complete change of ecology that occurs once I am an hour or so south of Eugene.  This time we spent a quick weekend camping on the Smith enjoying a very hot summer weekend - a lot of swimming and hanging out in the shade.  The drive home was extended by taking the coast route back to Eugene, which was 30 degrees cooler than inland and, at least until Bandon, wonderfully uncrowded and gorgeous.  I need to get back there soon.

We hiked a very hot 4 miles to a high point with a view to the Siskiyou Mountains

From San Diego to Bend

Tumalo Falls

 I would have loved to go home from the airport after the flight from San Diego and relax with a gin & tonic on the back deck, enjoying the warm Friday evening, but instead I through my suitcase, still packed, into the Boxster and headed for Bend via Hwy 242 - the Old McKenzie Pass.  What a great drive.  We had friends from Seattle staying with us in Bend for the weekend and I am glad I summoned the energy to make the drive over. Nice summer weekend in Bend.  Phew!  Idaho to San Diego to Bend.  Now I am ready for a weekend in Eugene.

Twin Falls on Tumalo Creek

A map showing the route of the old Hwy 242, McKenzie Pass:

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San Diego

San Diego skyline

I got off the trail in the Sawtooths on a Thursday late morning, ate a post hike feast in Stanley, then proceeded to drive, with my brother, to Bend where we spent a quick night.  The next morning it was up and out early so I could get to Eugene in time to de-stinkify and head to the airport for a flight to San Diego. I attended the ESRI GIS user conference there for a full week.  Really great conference and San Diego is a nice enough place though it really makes no sense to leave the Pacific Northwest in July where it is a perfect 85 degrees each day in order to spend a week on the beach in southern Cal, where it was in the mid 70's with a borderline cold wind each afternoon.  Oh well, the conference was great and I was ready to be home when I returned.