Sparks Lake midweek getaway

Soda Creek and South Sister

One of the benefits of living in Bend is the proximity to some great places.  Sparks Lake is only a 30 minute drive from my front door.  Maria and I took advantage of this fact with a mid week camping trip.  She stayed with friends at Soda Creek campground and I met her there after work Monday and Tuesday this week.  Not a bad commute!

South Sister from Sparks Lake

South Sister at sunrise

Washington again

Looking out West from Larrabee State Park

After Mom's funeral Maria and I drove north to drop Will off in Bellingham.  On the way back we enjoyed a stay in Larrabee State Park, Fort Townsend State Park, and at a friend's place at the end of the Toandos Peninsula.  The weather was very typical western Washington early summer: overcast, in the 70's, and a bit muggy, but good traveling weather.  It was really nice to follow up on the intensity of the funeral process with some exploring of old and new places in the Pacific Northwest.

View from top of the hill above Larrabee

Deception Pass

Dabob Bay

Mt Baker from Fort Townsend State Park

Patjens Lakes

It has been an amazing year for bear grass

Maria, Ken, and I met at Big Lake and did the Patjens Lake loop hike.  It had been decades since I last visited Big Lake and the 4th of July crowds were insane, but the trail was pleasant and empty.  Bereft of Instagram worthy views, this loop is a nice escape from the hordes.  And the bear grass was crazy prolific.  I have never seen it like it has been in 2019.  The loop was basically a six mile walk through the stuff.  Very enjoyable.

Big Lake

Dayville Camping

South Fork CG, Dayville, OR

Maria and I attended a concert at Cant Ranch this past Friday.  We met friends for a couple of nights of camping in nearby Dayville.  What a pleasant surprise.  Dayville has come along in the last few years.  A good restaurant, a growler fill station and coffee shop, and a very nice campground on the banks of the South Fork John Day River!  Nice to have a good option for a stopover in this part of the state.