(Segment 1 already posted – May 3 – 9)
MAY 10, 2024 – CASCADE PEAKS FAMILY CAMPGROUND – site 62
I must say, we were very sorry to leave Fort Flagler. The water, the mountain view, and the sunshine made for a very wonderful camping experience. But as with all good things, it had to come to an end. And in this case, it was once again time to push on to the next campground and hope for the best.
So far, we have been lucky. Both Crescent Beach and Fort Flagler were new to us. And both were great places to camp. La Push we had been to several times before and it was and still is undoubtedly one of our favorite places to park our trailer. But who knew what the future held because our next destination was yet another new facility.
But first we needed to pick our route. And that is always fun. Because both of us enjoy traveling over roads that are new to us or have only been driven a few times. And we like to stay away from major highways.
So, from Flagler we drove back to Chimacum. Then Center Road to Quilcene and US-101. South on 101 down Hood Canal and through Shelton. South of Shelton we turned off onto SR-108 to McCleary where we had lunch at the Bear’s Den, (Great burgers.) Took SH-8 west to Elma where we picked up US-12 up the Chehalis River valley to meet I-5 north of Centralia. We were only on I-5 for 20 miles. Left I-5 and headed East on H-12. From there it was 60 miles to our Camp which is 7 miles east of Randle. Much of the time along the Cowlitz River.
Well, Andy, with all his aptitude for reading maps, came up with a bit longer route than was absolutely necessary, but very scenic and with only 20 miles on I-5.
Before I book sites, I make sure they are not too far apart. I consult Google maps and get the time it takes to go from place to place. What Google can’t include in its analysis is the fact that a) we are hauling a trailer, b) we have to stop for gas, c) we are older and have to pee regularly, d) we need to eat along the way since we normally pull out of camp between 10:00 and 11:00 am, and e) every drive of any distance we are faced with at least 4-5 “road work ahead, reduce speed, stop for flagger, etc. etc.”. So, when Google told me it takes 3½ hours from point a to point b, I should have added at least 2 hours, which is about what it took!
When we arrived at Cascade Peaks Family Campground, the nice older lady in the office at first couldn’t find our reservation. I said I was sure I had made one and she looked again. Sure enough, the reservation had been filled incorrectly. Then the fun began.
When we reached our site as instructed by the lady in the office, we drove into a rather large field, truck first. At which point, Andy had to make a goodly number of turns in this small area to get to a point where he could back the trailer into the site. And then we had to add 3 blocks for the rear tires on the right side of the trailer to reach any semblance of level. But once we got unhooked and the water and electricity flowing into the trailer, we had time to look at our surroundings. And oh my. What a camping spot! Right next to the Cowlitz River and no one close by. Just a little bit of heaven to ourselves.
Since we had arrived after 5 and it had taken us a while to get set up, we were both ready for our safe arrival drinks. I really wasn’t in the mood at that point to fix a fancy meal, so we had tacos. Perfect repast after a long day. But still, another great day on the road.
MAY 11, 2024 – CASCADE PEAKS FAMILY CAMPGROUND
Woke up to a bright sun-shiny day. The best kind of day when you’re camping. Especially in May and you’re in the mountains. Or at least close to three major Washington State giants – Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Adams.
After breakfast we decided to drive as far as we could towards Mt. Adams before the road was closed because of snow. From camp, we drove back to Randle, turned left over the Cowlitz River and proceeded about 2 miles to where Forest Road (FR)-23 heads to Trout Lake and FR-25 leads to Windy Ridge on Mt. St. Helens.
We decided to first drive towards Windy Ridge which is East of Mt. St. Helens. But after only a couple of miles, the sign told us the road to Windy Ridge was still blocked by snow. So, we turned around and went back to the intersection with FR-25 to try our luck with Mt. Adams.
We turned around at this point
But a lovely drive along the river where the snow had already melted
Well, we did have better luck on this road. And it was a lovely ride along the Cispus River in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. And the Dogwood trees were in bloom. And there were lots of them. As well as wild rhododendrons in full regalia.
We made it 28 miles before there were enough potholes and snow on the unpaved road that we thought it would be better to not continue any farther. (Hard to see potholes when covered with snow. Plus, we knew we would have to turn around at some point. Might as well do it while there was bare earth to back onto.) We basically decided at this point that there would be no more exploring for today. So, back to camp after a quick trip to Packwood for a bit of provisioning.
Then it was outside reading by the river for Mt. C. and inside the trailer writing for me.
Well, you know there is a problem when you stop paying attention to your computer and the floor of your trailer is flooded. Yep, full of water. So, I did what any good wife would do – I yelled for help from my husband.
Our trailer toilet had given us a bit of grief in August of 2023 on our last excursion for the year. The part of the toilet that allows a bit of water into the toilet bowl after flushing kept leaking. But we thought we had solved the problem. Apparently not!
Because obviously after going to the bathroom, the toilet just kept running water into the bowl, out of the bowl, and all over the floor. And had obviously been so engrossed in writing up my May 10th trip report, I hadn’t noticed that my toes were getting wet.
So, after mopping up the water, placing our 3 area rugs out to dry on our picnic table, we tried to fix the problem. Great! Two completely unqualified plumbers trying to make sense out of a schematic that offers no bloody help at all! We tightened fittings, turned off the shore water, and prayed that the damn thing would stop leaking. Well, there is definitely something to be said for prayer, because after a while, the toilet stopped dribbling water. And behaved itself beautifully all night.
(Further on in the trip I realized that the problem wasn’t the toilet alone, but rather the user was also to blame. In my own eagerness to get writing, I had contributed to the flood.)
If you are unfamiliar with trailer toilets, you can push the flush pedal down a bit to allow more water into the bowl if needed. (This doesn’t flush the toilet. That comes later.) But in my haste to get back to my computer, I hadn’t fully flushed the toilet which allowed water to keep flowing. At the time, something seemed a bit wrong, and in retrospect I should have stopped to listen to that little voice that was screaming “something isn’t right here dummy”, but I didn’t. Lesson learned.
And since I know you are wondering, nothing was hurt in the trailer. The only thing that was shattered was my pride. Which, incidentally, happens quite often! And more than ever since I turned 70!)
Now I am just waiting for the fourth shoe to drop. First the stabilizer bar, then the truck battery cable came loose, and now the toilet is being prickly. What next? I don’t even want to think about what that might be. I think I’ll just have a nice martini and forget about the whole messy business. Then go to bed and get up every hour to make sure all is dry. Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
MAY 12, 2024 – CASCADE PEAKS FAMILY CAMPGROUND
The following pictures are all from our drive up to Paradise on Mt. Rainier
Another beautiful day in paradise. (And no water on the floor.) And speaking of paradise, that was our plan for today. A drive to Paradise. (On Mt. Rainier.)
So, after a hearty breakfast, we left the campground at about 10:00 am to see if we could beat the crowd. (On a sunny day like today and it being Mother’s Day to boot, we knew every other family in the Seattle-Tacoma area would be headed to this amazing national park.)
When we got to the park entrance, we were only about the 15th car in line. And with our Senior National Park Pass, we got through in about 4 minutes. (We had our own line.) When we left the park at about 2:30 pm, there was an entrance line up for at least a half mile. Their wait time could easily have been 30 minutes. Or even more.
And having arrived ahead of most of the visitors, we could stop in every parking area. This allowed us to take the pictures you see above.
Even at Paradise, the closest parking lot to the lodge was full, but the other one still had room. We weren’t interested in stopping anyway because all the paths were still covered in snow. And who needs that much humanity when the real reason for coming to this area is for the wildflowers. Which probably wouldn’t even be showing their beautiful heads for at least 2 months! So, we turned around and leisurely took our time driving back through the park.
By the time we got back to Randle it was about 3:00 pm and we were hungry. We stopped for lunch at the Blue “something”, but I wouldn’t advise you to do the same. Just OK food and cowboy music playing a little louder than I would have preferred.
Then back to camp for me to write and Andy to read.
But again, I was reminded that we live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. And I felt so blessed to experience the natural wonder that is Western Washington once again.
MAY 13, 2024 – PEACH BEACH RV PARK, GOLDENDALE – site 27
Cruise boats we saw while we were camped at Peach Beach. One close up, one in perspective.
Todd, Cindy, and me with before dinner drinks
Craig, Marsha, me, and their wonderful dog Murphy (if he ever goes missing, they might possibly guess where to find him…..)
Having survived another night without any camping calamities, we woke to some cloud cover but no rain. Always so nice not to have to de-camp in the rain. But we were excited to get on the road to stay once again at another of our favorite camping spots – Peach Beach RV Resort (right next to Maryhill State Park) on the mighty Columbia River. So, basically moving from our trailer parked right next to the Cowlitz River to backing right up to the Columbia River. But first we must make the arduous trek over White Pass.
Now, if you have never driven this pass from Packwood (think south of Mt. Rainier) to Naches (think close to Yakima) then you have missed out on one of the most scenic roads between Western and Eastern Washington. The route was first established in 1931 as State Road (SR)-5 in 1931, and the link was completed in August 1951 along the current route, later designated U.S. Route 12. The pass reaches 4500-feet at the summit and the route is between the headwaters of the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz River and the Tieton Basin. The pass was named for Charles W. White, a civil engineer, who discovered the saddle while working for the Northern Pacific Railway Company.
So, all along the way it’s beautiful mountain peaks, mountain streams, and glorious vistas.
After going through Yakima, we turned south at Toppenish (after grocery shopping at Safeway) to go over yet another pass – Sadis Pass. And because we could, we stopped at the St. John’s Monastery and Bakery for a late lunch. (The best gyros you are ever going to taste.) Plus, all kinds of other dishes and pastries. A “must stop” for us.)
Got into camp about 4:00 pm and sat outside reading until our dear friends Craig and Marsha arrived. They too had eaten a late lunch, so after they got set-up, we had appetizers for dinner along with safe-arrival drinks. Then an early to bed for all 4 of us.
Another day in paradise!
MAY 14, 2024 – PEACH BEACH RV PARK
How many trains did I hear last night while I was either trying to get to sleep, up for a night call, wondering what the flickering greenish light was that was in the next campsite, or just unable to get to sleep because I enjoy worrying about things over which I have no control? Well, I’ll tell you how many trains I heard – not enough! Because, although there is a busy train track across the Columbia River from us on the Oregon side, and just behind our campground on the Washington side, there still weren’t enough for me. I simply love the sound of trains in the night. The reason being that my dad loved trains. Our entire attic in the house where I grew up was a train set up. So, therefore, I too love trains.
And BTW, the green flickering light was where the cord attached from the camp electric post to the all-electric camper van that snuck into camp after we were already in bed. But even through our closed blinds I could see this shining green beacon. Weird, to say the least.
After a shower for me, breakfast for us both, and a leisurely morning, it was time for an adventure. So, the first stop for Craig, Marsha, Andy, and me was Maryhill’s Stonehenge.
Andy, Craig, and Marsha about to enter the inner sanctum.
View down the mighty Columbia River. Note Mt. Hood off in the distance.
According to maryhillmuseum.org., “Maryhill’s Stonehenge was erected as the nation’s first WWI memorial and dedicated in 1918 to the servicemen of Klickitat County, Washington, who died in the service of their country during the Great War, Hill’s Stonehenge Memorial is a monument to heroism and peace.
Hill erroneously believed that the original Stonehenge was constructed as a place of human sacrifice. Concluding there was a parallel between the loss of life in WWI and the sacrifices at ancient Stonehenge, he set out to build a replica on the cliffs of the Columbia as a reminder of those sacrifices and the “incredible folly” of the war.
Guided by leading authorities on archaeology, astronomy, and engineering, Hill combined their knowledge to duplicate, as nearly as possible, the original size and design of the ancient Neolithic ruin in England.
The original idea was to use local stone, however, when the rock proved unsatisfactory, Hill decided to use reinforced concrete. (The rough, hand-hewn looking texture was created by lining the wooden forms with crumpled tin.) Stonehenge Memorial was completed in 1929.”
After visiting this replica (both Marsha and I have visited the real Stonehenge), it was off to the Maryhill Museum of Art.
Some pictures of exhibits at the museum
Andy and I had explored this museum several times before, so it was like visiting an old friend. And since it was such a perfect day weather-wise, the view of Mt. Hood and the surrounding countryside made for even greater enjoyment.
Then back to our trailers for a bite of lunch, a possible nap, and preparation for “company for dinner”.
You know when all is right with the world when you have 2 sets of dear friends in camp with you. Craig and Marsha here at Peach Beach. And technically, Todd and Cindy were not in the same camp, but right next door at Maryhill State Park.
So, dinner for the 6 of us at the picnic table between our trailer and Marsha and Craig’s trailer.
Appetizers and drinks first, then 2 kinds of pasta, steamed Broccoli, and a chewy French baguette. Yum!
So, as you can imagine, much laughter, too much food, and possibly a bit too much adult beverage. But sitting in comfy camp chairs right next to a river with friends is my idea of the perfect way to spend an evening.
Then off to our own trailers and beds for 6 sleepy seniors.
MAY 15, 2024 – PEACH BEACH RV PARK
Although we had gotten to bed at a decent time (9:30ish), we still slept until 8:30 the next morning. I don’t know why it is, but when camping we can easily sleep for 10 hours, whereas at home that almost never happens. (I think it’s all the fresh air. Although we don’t exactly have stale air at home. But somehow, it’s different when it’s not the regular air you breathe at home. Or at least that is my conjecture!)
After a hearty breakfast, the 4 of us (Craig, Marsha, Andy, and I) decided to go on an adventure.
With the help of our trusty Benchmark Maps Washington Atlas, we decided to visit the Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge. So, up US-97 to Goldendale, and then head west on SH-142 towards our destination. As we were driving along Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams were always prominent features. Then we started to descend into a deep gorge formed by the Klickitat River. Absolutely gorgeous. (I now suspect that the word “gorgeous” must have been derived from natural wonders just like this one.) And wonder of wonders, the road was paved and in excellent condition. We saw a vulture, deer, a wild turkey, 4 deer who couldn’t decide which way to leave the road, and assorted squirrels, cows, and other farm animals. At one point, Andy described our drive as the “most scenic route in Washington that no one knows about”.
But as we were driving along, we could see a dark area at the base of Mt. Adams. As we got close, we realized it was smoke.
Finally, we reached the wildlife refuge. We drove all around it to finally see the sign that read, at the blocked entrance, “Prescribed Burn. Do not report!” So, all this way to take a 2 mile walk in this high meadow marsh to see birds and flowers, to only find a planned burn in progress. Oh well.
Our stop along the way to figure out “where in the hell is the entrance to the reserve”?
The drive itself was worth the time and effort. At this point we took a country road to the Trout Lake highway and down into White Salmon and onto SH-14 on the Washington side of the Columbia River.
And as planned, we stopped at the Jacob Williams Winery close to the Columbia Hills State Park where we shared a charcuterie board and did some wine tasting. Then back to camp for naps, reading, and me to write up this trip report.
At 6:00 pm we left camp to join Todd, Cindy, Craig, and Marsha for dinner in Rufus, Oregon at Bob’s Texas T-bone Steakhouse. Well, we had mixed feelings about our dinner. My sirloin steak was fine, Marsha’s smoked chicken was fine, Andy’s ribs were fatty, Todd had some kind of steak, and declared it fine. Cindy also had sirloin and was happy with her choice. Craig had a T-bone, but it was mostly fat and gristle. He said the flavor was OK, but who wants a chewing exercise at dinner?
Then back to camp, and beddy-bye. At least for us. The other 2 couples may have partied all night for as much as I would have noticed. Sometimes a rock and I have a lot in common!