(Mid-August, 2019) After successfully finishing repairs on our trailer slide-out in Medford, Oregon, we headed east towards Bend, Oregon. Our winding route via highways OR-62, OR-230, and US-97 took us through the stunning scenery of the Cascade Range in Central Oregon. Our plans were to head east and spend some quality time with family in Iowa.

Around Bend, Oregon

Arriving in Bend we checked into the Crown Villa RV Resort, a luxurious (and expensive) campground on the southeastern side of Bend. Our delay for trailer repairs had set our travel schedule back by over a week so we shortened our stay in Bend to just one night.

We had hoped to get together with Kim’s cousins, Barbara and Gary, nearby at Sisters, Oregon, but they were unavailable. We did, however, manage to contact long-time friends and co-workers from ESRI, Nathalie and Alan.

Nathalie and Alan had recently retired from careers in Olympia, Washington, moved to Bend, and built a lovely home. We met them for pizza and brews at a local brewery – Worthy Brewing Company. We had a great time visiting and catching up over the many years and life events. Later, Kim and I visited them for a tour of their new home – absolutely lovely – with views of the distant Cascades.

We learned that Alan very much enjoyed woodworking projects, has an extensive workshop, and made many of the beautiful furniture pieces gracing their house. (Nathalie and Alan – your home is lovely! We enjoyed our way-too-short visit with you and also enjoyed meeting your new rescue pup, Marcus. We look forward to visiting again on our next trip through the area.)

Leaving Oregon

Moving on from Bend, we took highway US-20 through the sere sage barrens, lava plains, and canyons of eastern Oregon. The terrain was starkly different from the so-green forests and mountains of the coastal and cascadia regions of Oregon, but offered equally grand desert vistas, big skies, and rugged canyons.

Along the way we stopped for one night at the Vale Trails RV Park, in Vale, Oregon, followed by three-nights at the Heyburn Riverside RV Park, of Heyburn, Idaho. Vale Trails was a small, but nice and quiet RV park – just right for a short stop after a long drive. The Heyburn Riverside park was truly a gem of a city campground – extremely well-maintained and right on the Snake River. We’re glad we had a few days to rest and relax in these lovely settings at Heyburn.

Visiting Friends at Provo, Utah

Our next stop was a four-night stay at the Springville / Provo KOA Journey, at Springville, Utah. We have stayed at this campground a few times before – it’s a convenient place to stay while passing through the Salt Lake City (SLC) area.

Each time we’re in the SLC area we look forward to getting together with long-time friend, Ron S., and his daughter, Amanda. (Recall that Ron was able to take vacation and meet us in Bandon, Oregon, earlier this summer.) On this visit we met up with Ron one afternoon for dinner and brews at the Strap Tank Brewery in Springville.

Amanda also stayed at our rig for one afternoon to dog-sit our pups while Ron, Kim, and I took a scenic drive through the Uinta Mountains and Uinta National Forest. We enjoyed the sweeping mountain vistas of the Wasatch Range/Uinta Mountains, views of Mount Nebo, and a visit to the mini-Bryce Canyon badlands of the Devil’s Kitchen. Along the way we had a few delays waiting for open-range cows to decide whether or not to cross the road – such traffic!

After our drive, Ron, Amanda, Kim, and I went out for a quick bite to eat. (Ron & Amanda, we had a great time and really enjoyed seeing you again. We look forward to our next visit, soon!) All too soon it was time to pack up and head on east – more to come in the next post.

That’s all for now. Safe travels and enjoy the journey.