Heading for a Rendezvous

As Kate continues hiking her way towards Cascade Locks, Oregon... our meeting place... David and I have continued driving toward the rendezvous point.  It hardly seems fair that we are making such great time, knowing that Kate is hiking, one foot in front of the other.

We spent our first night in Oregon at Dixie Campground in the Umatilla National Forest near Bates.  The wind had a definite chill under overcast skies.  Within the hour, we were snug in the camper with the drum of rain on the roof.  I finally began a small winning streak at Gin Rummy.  Normally David has a hard time keeping up with me, but this trip he's been waxing me!

We drove through Sisters around noon and stopped for lunch at Depot Deli.  We had been in Sisters on our first long trip in 1987... Wow!  Has it grown!  All traffic is diverted right through the downtown area, including big rigs and RVs.  It was more congestion that we have seen in weeks.

We found a great campsite at Links Campground on beautiful Suttle Lake in the Deschutes National Forest.  Our site was right next to the boat dock.  Roxanne had a great swim, however, the cold water sent her into shivers.  She welcomed a rub-down with towels and extra protein treats to warm her up.  What we thought was small aircraft flying overhead that night ended up being the big dog snoring again.

Suttle Lake, Oregon

The next morning, we meandered through the Cascade Range and stopped just in time to have a great breakfast in Detroit.  As we neared Mount Hood, we crossed the very trail that Kate was hiking.  I took this photo of the Pacific Crest Trail trail sign, knowing that Kate had probably passed through this very spot not more than six or eight hours earlier.

Pacific Crest Trail Signpost

Later in the day, we took a drive up Mount Hood to the Timberline Lodge.  It was amazingly cold.  The temperature plummeted into the low 30s with very light snow flurries.  We fought the wind, hiking uphill some 100 yards from the parking lot to the lodge.  Completely out of breath when we hit the lodge stairs, we marveled that Kate is hiking up the entire mountain!

The lodge was amazing in its construction.  We watched a video of how the WPA built it in less than 18 months.  The artistry and construction were incredible.

Timberline Lodge, Mount Hood

We spent the night in Nottingham Campground in the Mount Hood National Forest.  Just a few feet behind our campsite, I found a wasp hive that had the side swiped out of it.  Could it have been done by a black bear?

Wasp nest

Cold and rain drove us into the camper early.  Fog and rain settled in over us while we enjoyed a hot cup of soup and wondered about Kate and how cold the night would be for her.

Today we will head into Cascade Locks.  Our first order of business is to find showers.  While we wait for Kate to arrive, we also plan to do laundry and reorganize the camper.  Can't wait to see her!

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