Adventures of Beth and Dan: Change in Plans!

Zoey here is the update! As I write this I know you are in school this Friday. I’m sure it’s tough to not have dad there but trust me, he is getting your “Idahome” all set up for you and mom 😘. Papa and Nana had a good time in Eugene and we getting ready to start packing when we heard from Aunt Tess (TT) that the Forest Service changed their location from Oakridge, Oregon to Weaverville, California so…. Looks like we will have to enjoy the month we will be in Oakridge without them. There is a possibility they might come here but it’s slim with the hot dry weather in California compared to here. We were disappointed but no worries; we will be just fine.

Our trip to Oakridge didn’t take too long. The drive felt a lot like cruising down Hiway 12 along the Lochsa River in Idaho. The road was windy, the trees were dense and a lush green and the rolling river that paralleled the road was rolling. We passed a very large body of water, Lookout Point lake and then Dexter Reservoir. Not many folks were on the water at all. Schools here are still in session too, Zoey. The temperature of the water is very cold, around 58 degrees so swimming is not recommended!! We pulled into Casey’s RV Park which is along the Middle Fork of the Willamette, early about 10:30. The fellow at the office said since we were so early he would charge us $10 extra!! We have never experienced that before but we just decided it was easier to pay and stay :)

The campground is very nice. We know we will be comfortable here for a month. It has large old shady trees, manicured RV spots which are good sized, a nice pool and gathering area, a fire pit, shuffle board and corn hole boards! The restrooms and laundry are very clean. It’s not a large park but definitely one we could return to.

We took a ride that afternoon and explored the town which is about 3200 people and very much reminds us of Orofino. Half of the store fronts are empty. This was a logging town and had a pretty successful plywood plant but in 1982 the mill burned and never was rebuilt. People struggle here to make ends meet. Some homes are neat and tidy then others are ramshackled and overrun with weeds and items that tend to find no other location but the yard outside to rust and turn to waste. There are a few hotels , a library, high school and elementary along with a few gas stations, churches, one hardware and a pub or two. Biking is a big thing here Zoey but it’s not like how you ride. It’s mountain biking like your folks do. There are a few bike shops and touring companies too. I’ll get more photos for you .

We visited the local grocery store, Ray’s, and found prices to be very high! One avocado was $4! I may have to give those up for a month. But we found what we needed.

Yesterday Chris and Dwight Ferris came to visit us from Salem. We had a great time. We visited awhile here at the park and then took them around to see some of the sights.

We ended up finding a Mexican Restaurant and enjoyed a fun meal as almost the only folks in the restaurant!

So here are some photos for you to enjoy and learn about where your Nana and Papa are staying for a month.

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Some of our lush campground, Casey’s RV Resort

The covered ( working bridge) at Westfir which connected the lumber office on one side of the river to the mill.

The local grocery store!

Our set up!

Taking a little break from the set up.

Cooking outside with my crock pot! I love using it when we camp. Zoey you can help me make something in it when I get to your place.

Here’s a type of wild Iris we found on a local walk.

A storm brewing off from our camping spot.

This is the river that runs along side our campground.

Our friends Dwight and Chris came to visit us for the day from Salem, Oregon. Maybe you can find Salem on the map!

This our hood looking happy group! Glad to see each other after leaving Arizona.

We took a little trip to the local fish hatchery and look who has a cute picnic basket and wanted to join us!!

A lovely location for a hatchery. Zoey, what do you think a hatchery is?

A unique carving displayed at the hatchery.

The area had interesting gardens to view.

Here is a band shell in Oakridge at a nearby park which is along the river. Typically they have concerts in the summer but with Covid there were none last summer. It hasn’t been determined yet if they will have any this year.