Oregon Trails - June & July 2022

[ski3pin]

once again, amazing stories and pictures. Makes one want to head out camping right away! Does the [SIZE=10.5pt]prescription [/SIZE]expire?

Thanks Vic! Your kind comments are appreciated. Julie called Doc. He said that prescription has two refills only but to give a call to get another prescription at any time. He said he wanted some limit so he wouldn't get behind on the stories.

 

[ski3pin]

Better yet, does your Doctor prescribe from online conversations?

Paul

Sorry Paul, he does not. He's a bit of a curmudgeon, an old fashion doc set in his ways, and does not use a computer.

 

[AWG_Pics]

Thanks for the last two installments. Very fun and inspiring. If you ever come back up to Oregon, and want to explore the area between Mt St Helens and Mt Adams, one of the most diverse conifer forests in the world, drop me a note and I can offer some ideas. Bring that Thermacell if you come up before first freeze. You both could write a book on finding petroglyphs and ancient human sign == but I am glad you won't do that.

 

[Occidental]

Well, I mainlined all 4 parts at once, a glorious trip for sure. That upper Imnaha is going on the list for sure, it looks beautiful. As you know, I think we just missed crossing paths with you in that section of the country. I also wanted to let you know high lake has some fun little brookies you can sight fish for. Last time we hiked in there we had a blast tossing the flies to them, and I was expecting you to be doing the same, but I guess you were needing to get to that next ridge. Years ago I did the circumnavigation of the Strawberries including the peak, starting from the trailhead you camped at. It was a glorious few days. Thanks for the great report!

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

What a fantastic trip, thanks as always for taking us along. The in-laws live in Prineville so we’ve used it as a base for some of the same areas you visited. In 2017 (the year I retired from teaching) we took a week long horse packing trip out of the Two Pan Trailhead on the Lostine River. That trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness remains as one of our all time favorites; such a privilege to visit.

BTW: did you inquire on how Halfway got its name?

 

[ski3pin]

Yes, no book coming soon to a bookstore near you. Thanks for the kind comments and especially for the idea for future travels! Our best to you.

Thanks for the last two installments. Very fun and inspiring. If you ever come back up to Oregon, and want to explore the area between Mt St Helens and Mt Adams, one of the most diverse conifer forests in the world, drop me a note and I can offer some ideas. Bring that Thermacell if you come up before first freeze. You both could write a book on finding petroglyphs and ancient human sign == but I am glad you won't do that.

 

[ski3pin]

Well, I mainlined all 4 parts at once, a glorious trip for sure. That upper Imnaha is going on the list for sure, it looks beautiful. As you know, I think we just missed crossing paths with you in that section of the country. I also wanted to let you know high lake has some fun little brookies you can sight fish for. Last time we hiked in there we had a blast tossing the flies to them, and I was expecting you to be doing the same, but I guess you were needing to get to that next ridge. Years ago I did the circumnavigation of the Strawberries including the peak, starting from the trailhead you camped at. It was a glorious few days. Thanks for the great report!

Yes, Julie wanted to get up to the ridge for a great vantage point. We were also hoping for Mountain Goats. There was lots of wool, scat, and beds along the ridge, but no critters. The small brookies were easy to spot in High Lake. On our first attempt for the summit of Strawberry Mountain from Strawberry Lake, if we made the top by 1100 hrs, we were going to do the entire loop as a day hike. Didn't work out that way but it allowed a nice return to see more of the Wilderness from the south side. Thanks for the nice comment! And yes, we came very close to first contact.

 

[ski3pin]

What a fantastic trip, thanks as always for taking us along. The in-laws live in Prineville so we’ve used it as a base for some of the same areas you visited. In 2017 (the year I retired from teaching) we took a week long horse packing trip out of the Two Pan Trailhead on the Lostine River. That trip into the Eagle Cap Wilderness remains as one of our all time favorites; such a privilege to visit.

BTW: did you inquire on how Halfway got its name?

No, I did not inquire about the naming, but I just checked it out with an Internet search.

We've made a few wonderful trips into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. It is a place where lifelong memories can be easy to make!

Thanks for the kind comment!

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

We stayed overnight in Halfway and were told the town was named because:
*It sits (or almost sits) on the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole, or
*It’s situated halfway between SLC and Seattle on an old trade route.
Me thinks my leg was being pulled by the locals having fun with a tourist!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Per Oregon Geographic Names (McArthur) is is because it was halfway between Pine and Cornucopia. Which are now ghost towns.

 

[PaulT]

I don’t remember the details, but some years ago, a company/website leased the name and Halfway, Oregon became Half.com for a while.

Paul

 

[ski3pin]

Wow, all I found was it was named Halfway because of the several halfway houses for itinerant banjo pickers.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wow, all I found was it was named Halfway because of the several halfway houses for itinerant banjo pickers.

Bullseye

 

[goinoregon]

itinerant banjo pickers??
they could be right here in pdx these days for all i know

 

[Mthomas]

Thanks for the report, your travels are always interesting. How did you modify the Thermacell for higher altitude? a pic would be great.

 

[ski3pin]

Thanks for the report, your travels are always interesting. How did you modify the Thermacell for higher altitude? a pic would be great.

Here is a link to a "how to" that I followed -

Modifying a Thermacell Mosquito Repeller

 

[Mthomas]

Thanks!

 

[teledork]

Tonight, I thought we were going to have to call 911 for The Bride and yers truly. We were trying mightily to hold back laughter regarding the story about Fritz, and dang near ruptured our faces. I’m certain it would have required emergency transport.

It’s much funnier to read about it than to experience the joy. Stepping in the fresh and smelly “dog bomb” contributed to my dismay.

Thanks for the chuckle.


“ Fritz, the ninety pounder, had jettisoned his morning kibbles all over the, thankfully covered, backseat. Other targets were hit as well.”

Shaking out a seat cover on the side of the road? Yup. Done that.

 

[teledork]

That Strawberry Lake/ Mountain area is now on my list. What a beautiful place! Thank you for sharing it.