Triple Digits in Oakridge!!

Today is Monday Zoey and I know you had a very hot weekend in Pinehurst as we did too in Oakridge.  On Sunday it got up to 115 degrees here!!  Our RV had a tough time staying up with the heat.  We tried to get out early and get in some walking but it was miserably hot and we were sweaty and ready to collapse inside the camper after 30 minute.   On Saturday the temperatures were about 109 degrees.  We sat under our canopy and had a large fan blowing on us for as long as we could take it.  We were about ready for dinner when the power went out.  Half of our park was without power.  I felt fit those folks who were away from their campers and then came home to be so unprepared.   All the big motor homes switched on the mega generators and were fine.  Fortunately Papa had both our new Honda generators with us.  We took them out, hooked them together and could get at least 30 amp power fir one generator.  That helped us and the old kitty Frazier make it.  About 9 pm a power truck came through.  He was able to get us up and running for the  night.  The next morning he was back and totally replaced the transformer.  We were off power for a few hours but then all was well.  I know your daddy said it was very hot in your shop and too hot to sleep in the loft so you were going to tent it outside.   I bet that was kind of fun! 

Yesterday we took a drive up to some of the higher elevation lakes to get cooler temperatures.   It was 90 there and we stopped at a few areas by the lakes in the shade to cool off.  The worst part was horrible bugs!   Probably the heat and water brought them out.  The traffic was heavy with folks coming home from camping and then the usual truck traffic for this major highway.  There was a terrible truck accident going eastbound.  A semi carrying plants and trees went off the hiway and tolled over 250 feet down a steep embankment.   He didn’t survive the crash.   The hiway was full of folks who saw it happen and were waiting for the police.   When we came back through three hours later the truck was still over the edge.  They said it would take several days to remove it.  

When we got back to the park lots of folks were set up along the river with their lawn chairs and feet in the water.  We headed that way with our chairs and a cool drink.  We stayed till almost 8:00!!  I think we were the last ones to leave.  The fast flowing g water was very cold.  I could barely keep my feet in!  We met a very nice couple from Salem, ORE.  They had been fishing up the 58 at a dry camp area.   They were heading home when he had a blow out on his motor home.  He had AAA service so he called and they were able to come put his spare on.  They felt so fortunate that they could get a spot in the park for the night.  They shared lots of great information about Salem ( our good friends the Ferris’ live there also and have given us lots of printed information about all of Oregon) and we exchanged information.  They have a home that backs up to the river and offered to have us come over and maybe go for a boat ride!   Anyway they were going to leave at 5:30 this morning to get on the road before it got too hot and head home.

I only heard from one faithful reader ( my daughter Tessie!) about my little quiz!!  Zoey I haven’t heard from you but I hope your mom and dad helped you find a few answers.   Tessie liked the Smoky The Bear photo best :). 

I’ve got a few photos for you of things we have enjoyed.  

We plan on leaving Oakridge on the first of July and will be to your place Zoey by July 2nd!  I sure hope it gets cooler!!

We did hike in to the MaCreedy Hot Springs off Hiway 58.  In the background there are a few folks across the way in their birthday suits!  It was way too hot for us so our time there was short. 

Our park has a soft ice cream machine !!!  It’s on the honor system that you leave a dollar for your dish or cone.  We had to try it , right?   Scrumptious!

The clouds were unusual during the hot days.  We took this over the river where we enjoyed a cooler environment.

Dan found this beautiful butterfly on the park road.  Do you know it’s name?   We tried to put it in a shady place thinking it was injured but as we did he quickly flew off!!  It’s a Pale Swallowtail and we have a large lovely group of them at the park.  Do you know what they call a group of butterflies that flutter together especially around mineral water???  A kaleidoscope!!  

We took Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a guided tour of the Oakridge Historical Museum.  I don’t think many folks stop in.  It’s only opened Saturdays from 1-4.   

A unique wind up toy!  Zoey you would have liked the toy and doll section!

Their proud fire department display 

A bath tub from one of the hot springs hotels!   Looks like a splinter garden to me!!

This was as it says, a biscuit warmer used at the school cafeteria.  Inside at the bottom was a section for boiling water to keep things warm. 

Oakridge was at one time called Hazeldell and this was from the original post office. 

A typical wood kitchen stove and typical ladies dress for the time period. 

This stove was unique and I have never seen one before.  It was a wood burning stove in the left, then gas on the right and then also had two electric plug ins along with an electric truck clock!

Did you know Oakridge was famous for this?

Can you see the spider on this wildflower?  The flower looked like a kind of Phlox to me.

Dan got some very good shots of this unusual critter that was hanging from our canopy outside!

This unusual spider can change its color to match its surroundings and be camouflaged.  It’s name is the Golden Rod Crab Spider.  The female folds over a leaf , implants her eggs and then sews it up. She guards it till her death.  She only has one egg laying.  It is most often seen in the month of May and has been found in four countries and 14 states.  It can take anywhere from a few hours to 20 days to change color from a white to yellow or vice versa. 

Dan at Odell Lake yesterday when it was 115 in the valley!!! A lovely lake but too buggy and still hot at 90!  

Note the temperature on the truck!!

Our feet cooling us off at the park!

Zoey this last photo is for you!!  Cute ways for us to say good bye when we finish talking on FaceTime or on the phone.  

Oh!!! And are you waiting for the answers to the previous quiz???  I never heard from you except sweet Tess but here they are!

Quiz answers

1. Geo cache and it was for kids doing the loop as part of a scavenger hunt

   2 it’s white because it’s a saprophytes and it’s lacking chlorophyll.    It’s name is Phantom Orchid and it is a rare and endangered plant found in shady Pacific Northwest forests!!!

   3 Oregon Grape

   4 an elephants trunk ( just kidding!)

   5 woodpeckers looking for insects 

   6 red fir or Douglas fir 

   7 Smokey the Bear

   8 pink periwinkle 

   9 Fungus

  10 Prunella. Also called common self heal and heal all.  Used as an herbal remedy for throat ailments. 

Nature “For Thought”!

Like the cliche “food for thought” let’s do nature for thought!  Since we have been in Oakridge/ Westfir we hike or explore a little each day.  So here is a little quiz for you to check your nature know how.  I’ve tried to post this several times and have lost it so this time I’ll write less and save more often!  

One day while walking the Wren Loop Trail by the USFS Station outside Oakridge we found this container.  What do you suppose was in it and what do you call these containers when you find them in particular locations??

What do you call this plant and what is it lacking??

What is the name of this plant found in Oregon but also many other states?

What does it look like Dan found on the forest floor?  They say this animal never forgets.  

What happened to the bark on this tree?

What is the name of this tree with reddish brown bark?  ( no, it’s not a type of dog!)

Zoey who is this senior citizen that Papa is hanging out with?  He is important to the health and safety of our forests. 

What do we call these growths that you find on trees, stumps and decaying wood?

What is this delicate pink flowering vine called?



 And the name of this prolific purple flower found in many differing locations?

The next set of photos comes from the small but very proud community of Westfir.  I’ll let you determine why they have used the bikes to decorate their Main Street which borders the river.  At one time they were a thriving logging community larger than Oakridge but now with just over 300 folks compared to Oakridge's 3200 they are dwindling   but not for lack of creativity and pride. 

The river in the background where families often cool off.

Lovely potted plants in a variety of containers. 

A little free library too!

And the covered bridge which is part of their history and and their iconic attraction.  

Answers to the quiz in the next blog!!

And Zoey when Nana gets there to your Idahome we will come up with a quiz for your mom and dad 😘

Explorers on the 58!

We are enjoying cooler temperatures, lots of rain and exploring along Oregon Route 58 and all of it’s off shoots Zoey.  If you were here it might be a little boring for you because we haven’t seen lots of kids or playgrounds.  So this entry won’t have a lot of narrative like others.  I bet you didn’t know that Oregon has many covered bridges!  I didn’t know that either.  You might ask Google to tell you what a covered bridge is and why they were built.  The ones here are lovely and several are still in use.  I have enjoyed reading the history of each one.  

Papa was gone for a week to help your daddy in Idaho get ready for you and your mama when you come to your property.  While he was gone I explored some of Oakridge and Westfir.  Oakridge is very much like Orofino, Idaho… a logging community and also supports an active railway lines which comes through 6-7 times a day blowing out a long whistle each time regardless of whether he is eastbound or westbound.  I’m going to try and record that whistle before we leave!  I have checked out the local Dollar General which carries lots of food items ( frozen too).  I found some things there for you Zoey!!  Then I checked out the St Vincent D’ Paul store which is very large, clean and carries 50% brand new items delivered weekly from Eugene.  There is a nice library and a museum but it is only open on Saturday’s and I haven’t been able to catch it yet.  The little town of Westfir is very cute.  The few streets of the town show its pride with painted bicycles along the street decked out with baskets full of colorful annual flowers.  The strip of bikes and baskets are well manicured.  I’m going to get some pictures to show you.   I checked out a few small markets and gas stop markets too.  One proudly serves Umpqua Ice Cream and they hand scoop flavors for you!   You would love that store Zoey.  I found Lemon Bar Ice Cream which is my all time favorite but seeing the pounds I have put on during Covid I had to pass and just dream about it instead.  

But the best part of being here at the rv by myself was a visit from your Aunt Tessie!!  She needed to come to Oakridge to pick up helicopter wayer bucket that was delivered to the Best Western here when they thought they would be based here for fire.  She showed up in the early afternoon last Monday and then pulled out on Tuesday to drive all the way back to Weaverville, CA. I so loved having her here even for one night.  We had a bit of anxiety trying to load the “ bucket” into her sedan trunk that she had rented!!!  But with the old heave Ho and girl power behind us we kind of McGyver’ed it into the trunk!  I’m pretty proud of us. Ha ha

That night we had dinner at the rv and gave Frazier lots of loves between a few card games.  I was sorry to see her leave the next day but thankful that we accomplished what she needed to do and had time together. 

The next few days brought an onslaught of continuous showers.  In between times I walked and tried exploring more places.  

I know this Friday you and mama fly to daddy in Idaho.  I’m sure mama is getting things ready to go and the flight as you finish up Kindegarten.   

Oh and did I tell you Zoey that an Amazon order came yesterday with more birthday presents for you??!! 😘🎂🎈🎉

This is a view looking out from a window on the covered bridge Zoey.  

Driving across the covered bridge.  Look at how bog the timber’s are that support the bridge!

Beautiful Azaleas are everywhere here and I love them.  Many houses have purple , white and pink ones in their yards .

Papa and I took off on the 58 and explored Salt Creek Falls.  It was impressive and loud!

Trails in the area are bordered by towering majestic trees of cedar , hemlock and fir. 

We took a turn off the 58 to drive to Waldo Lake. It was about 48 degrees there and the wi d was whipping up white caps on the lake.  It was extremely clear and they say you can see 100 feet deep out of a lake that is over 400 feet deep!  It’s one of the clearest lakes in the world!

That picnic bench would have seen us sitting there had it not been so cold and windy!  We had hoped to kayak here but not today.  

And Zoey we hot snow going into Waldo Lake!  Uncle Aaron said we would never use our four wheel drive but he was wrong!  Ha ha

This was a private RV park we noticed further up the 58 that was packed wall to wall with campers and fishermen.  

We got the bucket for the helicopter packed into the back of our truck and then into Tessie's trunk!!!  Girl Power!

I also had a wonderful visit from two friends of mine from Salem, Lynda and Chris.  They brought a delicious  lunch and Chris brought us tons of reading material on places in Oregon to see and things to do.  We had a brief respite from the rain and could eat outside. Then we took a stroll through the park and enjoyed viewing the river and wildflower t’s before the headed back home. 

After they left Frazier found a comfy spot by the fireplace and curl in for a long nap. 

Just some of the lovely wildflowers at our park scattered amongst the campers and along the river.