Retracing The Tracks Of History

Sometime in March 2013, I met a friend over in The Dalles area, and we went out exploring some off-highway areas. I'd not spent much time out that way at all. At most just passing through as an alternate route, on my way back from Bend/Central Oregon.

There was still some snow on the highways (lesser traveled), and since this area was his stomping ground, we took off in his old beater truck. Fun time! He grew up driving the old dirt roads, and he could really handle the vehicle. We drove around for hours, exploring some various roads, until we came upon the Old Barlow Road. The history behind that particular stretch of dirt path, is that it's considered the last bit of the Oregon Trail. It winds for miles through the Mount Hood National Forest (and Cascade Range). We even passed the Emigrant Springs, which was a natural spring where the settlers used to stop and water their animals. It's actually a neat little bit of history, not too far from the ski resorts on Mount Hood.

After riding with him and sliding around (Dukes of Hazzard style) on a multitude of dirt and gravel roads, for half the day. We decided to swap rigs, and let me drive around and explore a bit. No Dukes driving for this girl. I didn't have my new tires yet! ;)

We got out a few times to go scouting for edible mushrooms, and find a few pieces of interesting wood for me to photograph. Plus, I needed to stretch my legs a bit. You might remember that I'm fascinated by the natural grains, textures and patterns that wood, stumps and rock provide. I tend to make my own "art" out of it. I'll post some of those at another time...but I did snap a few images that I liked.

This stump just caught my attention. Had we not been there in the middle of the day, it would've looked more ominous. Still pretty cool, with all the gnarled and sprawling roots. There were a lot like this, presumably the remnants from logging or past wind storms. 

This is a mountain laurel bush. It has a pretty bloom! The colors were amazing in the bright sun. Yet another reason why I love exploring Oregon in the springtime. Great color! 

This is an altered photo of moss on a rock. The patterning (almost mold-like) of the moss was super cool to me, and when I tweaked the colors, just took on a whole new look to me. It sort of looks like the texture of a starfish, but not as amplified. Pretty cool! 

While we were out exploring, we found a cool camping area next to this river. Great river rocks everywhere...probably decent fishing too! There was evidence (sadly) of a recent group of campers/party-friendly folks, who unfortunately left their trash/cans scattered about. Sad when they do that – leave their trash for others to pickup, or worse yet, for it to become part of the environment. Luckily, we had an extra trash bag to help alleviate some of the mess.

Guess my motto about this has always been: pack it in, pack it out and leave the area as pristine (or better) than you found it. You know, so the next person can enjoy the same beautiful area, instead of seeing your trash! GRRRR.

Of course, I just HAD to take a shot of Bea...while she was waiting for me to wander about with the LM, take photos and pick up other people's trash. :) See? Still had my old KM2s on. At this point, I had very little tread...in fact, a few weeks after this, that right front tire let me down! Literally! :) Luckily, I wasn't driving, had just parked at the beach, came back after walking to find her deflated. Wah-wah-waaah... She's got new kicks now!!

What would a mini road trip be without my favorite partner in crime, LM? He's with me almost everywhere. Poor little guy was tuckered out from a long day of dirt road riding, mushroom hunting (aka squirrel chasing) and walking.

Speaking of tuckered out...think I'll go take a nap! Enjoy the pictures.

A Long Time Ago...

So, since it's been a LONG time since I've blogged, I've been feeling the need. Checked out this blog a few days ago, and realized I miss documenting my travels, and having a space where I can show people my goings and doings.

I've been neglectful of my cameras, and have just recently offloaded a bunch of pictures from March-May of this year (2013). This post will contain a few of those images.

I'll get right to it. You all know I love to drive, so one day last March (2013) I set out toward Tillamook State Forest, more specifically Jordan Creek Road to explore some roads/trails for future more in-depth usage! I ended up driving for hours, running into very few ATV riders, as it was March and still somewhat snowy. It was nice to have the forest and roads mostly to myself, and I was able to truly enjoy nature, even taking an occasional wander outside the warmth and comfort of the Jeep to let the co-pilot use nature's facilities, as well as to snap some pics.

TSF is very scenic, moss covered and green at this time of year. I got lucky and had some light, in an otherwise gray and overcast early spring day.

This photo is of a creek (presumably Jordan Creek) that flows through the TSF and the OHV area.
The water was pretty high, and it was truly beautiful. Much more-so than this image reflects. Gorgeous time of year to be out and about! 

Below is another shot of Jordan Creek from a rough campsite area. Found some fantastic sites for camping. Haven't as yet used them, but it's always fun to scout out future sites! Again, very moss-covered, green and definitely Oregon-esque. Pictures can't relay the true colors, or certainly the sounds of the rushing water. Beautiful!

Along my trek that day, I ran into some snow. Nothing fancy. Just a little left scattered along the sides of the gravel roads. Up ahead further in this pic (around the corner, actually), the road was covered by a few inches of snow, but it only lasted a few hundred yards, then it was back to this lovely well-traveled gravel.
It was actually very serene up there. The elevation gained quite drastically at a few points, and since I was the only one out there, it was wonderfully quiet and peaceful.

This pic was taken about mid-way through my day's journey. I came upon a logging site (shut down for the weekend). Just added to the serenity. Machinery shut down, quiet and resting under a light dusting of snow. Pretty cool. Especially since the mountains under the clouds (ahead) were higher than I was. I spent a few minutes here just communing with nature – albeit some of it chopped and scarred with grader tracks – it was still beautiful. Again, hard for the image to relay the true color, and beauty that you're surrounded by up there.

More to come...