First snow

Aspen grove

 I tried once again and failed, once again, in an attempt to hike the Enchantment Lakes in post October 15th permit-free season.  Not to worry though, the weather has changed abruptly here in the PNW so a friend and I substituted a 20-mile day hike along Chiwaukum Creek for the elusive Enchantments.  I'll have to try again in 2013.  Or get a permit.

Fall colors along the Chiwaukum Creek trail

Fall stuff

Fall colors in the B&B burn area

 With the beautiful weather of summer/fall of 2012 coming to an end we headed out for one more van camping trip.  The original plan was for some kayaking on Clear Lake, but we moved further east to put the Cascades between us and the weather.  It worked.  We had a beautiful fall weekend on the Metolius River.  Got a hike in along Jefferson Creek, some time in Camp Sherman, and a great campsite along the river at Allen Springs.  Really nice weekend.  I am ready for Fall now.

Pondy on the backs of the Metolius

Metolius River, Wizard Falls

Oregon's Big Sur

Along US101 south of Port Orford

William and I took off in the Boxster for an overnight camping trip to Oregon's southern coast.  What a beautiful weekend, what a beautiful place!  The primary goal was to take the Carpenterville Hwy route out of Brookings.  The best road ever. 

View from Port Orford headlands


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Desert Conference 2012

Wychus Creek, near Alder Springs

Spent a mid September weekend in Bend to attend Desert Conference, organized by the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA).  This is the only conference I go to just for fun, and it was great.  Hopefully some day soon we will be celebrating the creating of a vast new wilderness in Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands!

Paulina Lake from the Newberry Crater Rim trail