Koblenz was the second German city on our recent Viking River cruise. It is one of the oldest cities in Germany, dating back over 2,000 years. It began as a Roman city in 9 BC and was a Frankish royal seat in the 6th century. Much later, its medieval history included the Order of Teutonic Knights beginning in 1216.
It was a gorgeous, sunny day for our tour. While waiting for it to begin, I noticed the sycamore tree in the photo below. I am not aware of ever seeing a tree like it before. It was quite beautiful. We also saw many more sycamores on our tour of Koblenz that day.
Sycamore tree
Our Guide
Our Viking local guide, Karin, was amazing! She is 84 years old and incredibly sharp. Moreover, she did not appear to have any mobility issues. Her knowledge of the city was nice, but more importantly, her positive attitude and the successful way she is aging was inspirational.
Karin, Our local guide
The German Corner
Koblenz is at a strategic place at the crossing point of the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. Thus, it became known as the “German Corner.” Germany and France has hotly disputed the area throughout history.
The statue below of William I is a monument for a unified Germany, which was originally erected in 1897. The original was destroyed during WW II, but a copy was reinstated in 1993 when German unity was considered complete.
William I of Germany (Kaiser Wilhelm)
Koblenz’s Old Town
Our tour of Kloblenz was exclusively in the Old Town and there was a lot to see. However, I understand that there are parts of the city that are quite modern.
The giant thumb below was the work of artist, Cesar Baldaccini. It is a six-foot bronze work modeled upon the artist’s thumb. The detail in the sculpture was impressive!
The Thumb
The historic building below currently houses the Ludwig Museum. We did not have an opportunity to visit, but enjoyed the exterior of the 800 year old structure that began as Teutonic Knight’s House.
Ludwig Museum located in historic Teutonic Knights House 1216
There is a lovely restaurant, Addacio, to the right in the photo below. But, it was not yet open during our tour. However, the owner allowed our tour guide’s group to use their restroom. It was so nice! If I should find myself in Koblenz again, I would love to have a meal there.
A street in Old Town
The City Hall dates to 1695 and includes three connected buildings with different styles of architecture. The building was a Jesuit school during the 1600s. The hall is located on what is called Jesuit’s Square.
City Hall
Koblenz Churches
Basilica of St. Castor
The Basilica of St. Castor is the oldest Koblenz church, which was originally constructed in the 9th century. Through excavations, they have uncovered evidence that the site was used for religious ceremonies as far back as the first century.
Our tour didn’t have access to the church, but I sure would have loved to go inside.
Basilica of St. Castor
The grounds in the photo below were adjacent to the basilica. It was a pristine and lush area.
Court of Flowers
City Church
A nondenominational city church is housed in the building that was formerly a Jesuit structure. The entrance is beautiful and is very much old world.
City Church formerly Jesuit building in 1200
The inside of the church is much more modern. Our tour guide told us that she attends this church and she was also married there.
Interior of City Church
An enormous peacebell is at the front of the church.
Peace Bell
The Spitting Boy
The French occupied Koblenz in 1794 – 1814 and it resulted in many boys born to French soldiers and German women. The boys were street urchins and known for pranks. Subsequently, Koblenz residents have embraced the idea of those cheeky boys as being clever and fun-loving.
The Spitting Boy Fountain pays homage to those boys. It’s base has images of these boys acting in mischievous way. Intermittently, the boy on top of the fountain spews a stream of water that extends beyond the fountain.
Spitting Boy
The city also embraces the spitting boy in other ways. For example, it displays the image of the boy upon its manholes.
More of the Spitting Boy
Other City Sights in Koblenz
The area of the city we visited included cobblestoned streets and some interesting small shops.
More of Old Town
I found the gorilla in the store window very expressive. Didn’t feel the need to buy it, but I liked it.
An interesting shop
A tram runs through the city, but barely fits in the narrow street.
City Tram
Koblenz In Conclusion
So, Koblenz was fun and a little bit whimsical. It certainly wasn’t something that I expected from this ancient city, but it was another wonderful day on our Viking Rhine River Cruise.
Our previous stop in Germany was Cologne. If you have an interest in German cities , check it out.
Cologne was the first German stop on our Viking cruise and our first time in the country. I have German roots on my father’s side, so I felt a special affinity for the country.
The air was crisp and the temperature mild. It was such a perfect day to tour the city! A motor coach transported us from the drop off point on the Rhine river into the city and we saw a bit of residential area and countryside.
In Germany, Cologne is “Köln”
The Cathedral
Firstly, our local Viking tour guide first took us to the Cologne Cathedral , the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and one of Germany’s most famous landmarks. Its twin towers dominate the Cologne skyline. The cathedral is also a World Heritage Site and the most visited site in Germany.
Western section of the cathedral
They began construction on the cathedral in 1248, but did not finish it until 1880. Lengthy interruptions occurred due to war and financial difficulties. They built the cathedral to enshrine the bones of the Three Wise Men. The shrine is located in the back of the cathedral. We had limited access inside because it was Sunday. So, we couldn’t view the shrine.
The entrance to the cathedral
While we could view and photograph from the back of the cathedral, we couldn’t go beyond.
Aisle of the cathedral
Church personnel had roped off the main area because a mass was being held.
A Sunday service was occurring
Prayer candles and ancient artwork were in the back of the church and were also accessible to visitors.
Prayer Candles
The builders had placed many statues of biblical heroes upon the facade of the church. From my research, I believe that the two below are Elijah and King Solomon.
Part of the facade
Pollution causes the dark areas of the cathedral and, therefore, it is an ongoing effort to clean the exterior. As soon as the last area is cleaned, the earlier areas that were cleaned need it again.
Lastly, we learned that the cathedral was damaged from bombs by the Allies during WW II. The damage was repaired though.
The Rest of the Tour
While the cathedral was a main portion of our tour, we subsequently saw a few more areas of interest. Our guide, Ulrika, certainly was a hoot. She had a great, somewhat quirky, sense of humor. I really enjoyed her!
Ullrika
Stumbling Stones
The stumbling stones below were in an area near the cathedral in front of some shops. Ulrika explained their meaning. They have laid over 70,000 of these blocks throughout Europe and Russia. Many of the stones are financed by schoolchildren who learn of their meaning and about former residents in their area. They place the stones where the victims previously lived. The victim’s name, date of birth, date of death, and method of death are etched on the stone.
I was very touched by this way they are remembering the victims of the Nazi regime.
Stumbling Stone
Heinzelmannchen Fountain
The city established the water fountain below in 1900 as art that depicts a legend. The Heinzelmannchen were a mythical race of gnomes who, according to legend, did the mundane work during the night for Cologne residents. A tailor’s wife wanted to see them and spread peas to make them slip and fall. They became angry and never returned. Thus, the residents of Cologne had to do the work themselves.
Heinzelmannchen Fountain
Cars and Bikes
We didn’t see the massive number of bikes like in the Netherlands, but we did see more than in the United States. Also, we saw this very tiny one-person car.
Tiny car caught my eye
The Chocolate Museum
Our tour guide mentioned the Chocolate Museum during our tour. We returned to our ship with our “leisurely” group for lunch. We came back later that afternoon to visit the museum.
A giant Ferris wheel spins to its side. The museum has all you could ever want to know about chocolate and the displays cover multiple floors.
Chocolate Museum
The exhibits had information on how cocoa beans are harvested, a history of chocolate, plus some antique vending machines and chocolate cups. Chocolate-making machines were also on display.
They gave us some samples. Yum!
Vintage chocolate equipment
Afterwards, we ordered the local beer of Cologne. There were beautiful pastries and candies in this restaurant, but we didn’t have the time or appetite.
A local beer and some chocolate
A Rickshaw Ride
Our trip to and from the museum was via rickshaw. Our Viking desk arranged it for us through “Let It Roll.” It was a lovely experience. Our two drivers were friendly and helpful .
Frank our rickshaw operator
A Beautiful Sunset
After dinner, we watched the sunset across the Rhine with the cathedral in view. It was a beautiful end to the day!
View of the cathedral across the Rhine
In Conclusion
We only had one day in this beautiful city and couldn’t do everything, but we saw a lot. I somewhat wish we had stayed on the other side of the bridge instead of going back to the ship for lunch. However, we are limited in what we can do physically and it was probably good that we didn’t push ourselves too hard. Travel while young and healthy if you can!
We love to travel, so my blogs have covered a lot of territory. We visited Kinderdijk in the Netherlands just before this stop. Check it out!
I didn’t know much about windmills before we visited Kinderdijk as part of a Viking River cruise. I knew that they were a symbol of the Netherlands and had a general idea how they looked, but that was the extent of it.
This was the first stop on our cruise and it was very memorable. We disembarked our ship, crossed a quiet street, walked down a short path, and entered a historic area that is much like it was hundreds of years ago.
Map of the area
Kinderdijk is about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, but it evokes a feeling of a very different place—very rural and rustic. I learned that most of the land in the area is about two meters below sea level. Windmills enabled the people to live on this low-lying land over 700 years ago.
Currently, there are 19 circa 1740 windmills on site that are approximately 128 feet tall. At least one windmill is always keep operating.
The Tour
Our tour guide was Peit, a retired English teacher who was born in the Kinderdijk area. He is a volunteer and was a great guide because he was wonderfully enthusiastic about the windmills and very proud of the history of the area.
Our guide, Piet (Pete)
It was a beautiful walk to the windmills. They stood majestically in the distance with the one lone windmill spinning in the wind. Along the way, there were many paths to walk or bike. It was very cloudy day, but thankfully, no rain.
A few of the Windmills
Pumping Stations
Later, residents replaced the windmills with a pumping station, the Weisboom, built in 1868. It was originally steam powered, but they later replaced it with an electric engine.
Oldest Pumphouse. the Weisboom
Eventually, additional pumping capacity was added with a second pumping station.
Newest Pumphouse
The Cat’s Cradle
The monument below was in the water near the windmills. It is to pay tribute to a legend that dates back to 1421 and a great flood. The cat was said to be jumping back and forth to keep the cradle with a baby inside from toppling over. There are various versions of details of the story. Also, Dutch children give their pet kittens new collars on St. Nicolas Day to honor the cat.
The Cat’s Cradle
Reeds for Roofs
Reeds were and still are abundant in the area. They played an important role in the construction of the windmills because the thatch roofs on the structures were made from them.
Active Windmill
The tour allowed visitors to get very close to the active museum windmill and to go inside if desired.
The wind was actively blowing
We crossed over to the other side of the structure, beyond the spinning blades. The wind was whipping them through the air with a big whooshing sound. Though we knew we out of the reach of the blades, it was slightly scary walking under them.
It was intimidating up close
The Interior
Whole families lived in the windmills during a time when families were usually very large. Those who took care of the mill were called millwrights.
Large families lived in these windmills
It must have been challenging to find a sleeping spot for each family member.
Windmill bed
The kitchen was rather compact.
First floor kitchen
The first floor was furnished in a manner similar to how it would have been when the water was controlled by the windmills.
First floor table
The second floor was more narrow and the shaft was in the center.
Second floor
There was no access to the top floor, but we could see it.
Top floor
We learned that people currently live in these windmills, but, they are more modern inside. At least one member of the household must have a miller’s degree to take care of it.
Some Local Hydrangeas
The flowers below were on the pathway to the windmill museum. I like to remember pretty things along the way.
Hydrangeas in Kinderdijk
In Conclusion
This tour brought a different time and place alive for me. It was a fabulous start to our river cruise. If interested in the beginning of this trip, check out a post about our extension in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is a very dynamic and charming city. It was our first visit to the Netherlands and its capital was a wonderful two days for us. The city was an extension to a Viking River Cruise and we are so glad we were able to spend some time in this iconic city. Amsterdam is most widely-known for windmills, canals, tulips, cheese, and the Dutch Masters. I think it should also be known for bicycles!
Amsterdam’s people
The people we encountered were friendly and welcoming. However, in one way, they are different from people from the United States and other countries we have visited. They have more than a million bikes in the city, more than one for each person and it is their principal form of transportation. The people were lean and are undoubtedly more fit than those with more passive transportation.
Many families do not own a car. The streets are so narrow and the parking so limited that it makes car ownership undesirable. They do, however, have access to cars. An app identifies nearby cars and enables access to them. They just park it in their final destination. Our local guide, a young married woman with a small child shared this information. They did not own a car.
However, this means that during cold and rain, it’s just them and a bicycle! Daytime temperatures in January are in the low 40s and the average is low 30s at night. They are a hearty bunch!
Consequently, bikes were everywhere, as were wide bike lanes. The city also has a tram system that some of our fellow travelers used. We used Uber while there and it worked well. Our Uber driver had a hybrid and he told us all taxis must be all electric in 2025.
Our Hotel
Hotel Okura in Amsterdam is a five star hotel and very luxurious. We do not normally travel in such style. A canal runs on the right of it and many nice restaurants are within walking distance. The hotel has a swimming pool, spa, and several restaurants. I believe a couple of them have Michelin stars.
Hotel Okura
Our room was comfortable and quite nice. The unbelievable breakfast buffet, which was included, was the best part of the hotel. Everything imaginable was on it, including Japanese items. The staff were especially attentive. I will remember those two breakfasts for many years to come.
Our room on the 14th floor
Our room on the fourteenth floor had a great view of one of the canals and a part of the city.
View from our room of Amstelkanaal
Amsterdam Cuisine
Though jet-lagged, we ventured out on our first day to an Italian restaurant, Insieme Ristorante, near our hotel. According to our waiter, the owner is from Sardinia and the food was authentic Italian.
A delicious dinner at Insieme Ristorante
I ordered the special, though having no idea what to expect. Gnocchi with a beet sauce, cheese, and crispy tomato. The presentation was attractive and the dish was so delicious. It was also served with beautifully-presented bread.
I also ordered the recommended wine, Primitivo Di Manduria, a 1922 Le Vigne Di Sammarco. It was on of the best red wines I have ever tasted. I have looked for it since arriving home, but haven’t located the exact wine in that year.
Dessert was tiramisu, which is a specialty of the restaurant. I love fancy food, but my husband is more a big steak man. Overall, this meal was one of my most memorable.
Gnocchi with beet sauce
Tour of Amsterdam
Viking provided a local guide for a two-hour tour of the city. We took an extensive walk of the city and she shared details of her life in Amsterdam, the city’s culture, history, and architecture.
Interesting Sites
The Heineken Brewery is located in Amsterdam. We had several of its beers while on our trip, but unfortunately, we didn’t have time to tour the facility.
Heineken Brewery
A street market was on our tour. The dragon fruit drew my eye because it is so colorful. I didn’t stop to try the fruit though.
Colorful Dragon Fruit in the local market
Amsterdamers were on almost every street. Each has the symbol of Amsterdam on it, three Xs. The Xs represent the threats to old Amsterdam: fire, flood, and disease.
Amsterdamer
We passed the building below on our tour. I loved the unique look of this art gallery. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to go inside
Art Gallery
Our guide informed us that “Coffee” shops whose signs were in English also sell cannabis products. The city “tolerates” those soft drugs.
There were many small shops on our walking tour. The shop in the photo below sells a particular kind of fish that is eaten by hand. The girl in the photo is wearing the traditional Dutch clothing. The image was compelling.
Classic Dutch attire and method for eating a particular kind of fish
Amsterdam Canals
Amsterdam has three 17th century canals: Gentleman’s (Henrengracht), Prince’s (Prisengracht) , Emperor’s (Keizersgracht). Bikes and cars often fall into the canals: over 12,000 bikes and an average of 35 cars are pulled from the canals each year.
Below is a shot of the Singelgracht, an outer canal designed for defense and water maintenance. It served as a moat to medieval Amsterdam from 1480 to 1585 when the city expanded beyond it. So, it was then no longer a defensive canal.
Singelgracht Canal in Amsterdam
National Museum
The Rijksmuseum is a gorgeous structure. It is the national museum of the Netherlands. It was founded in 1798 and it covers 800 years of Dutch history and the Dutch masters including Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. I am very sad that our time and energy did not include a visit to the interior. But, we enjoyed the exterior, which was built starting in 1876.
The Rijksmuseum
Below is a park behind the museum. This area was where our tour ended and we both were very tired. We shared a water with some friends from the Viking tour there. It was so good to sit down!
Park behind the Rijksmuseum
A Canal Ride
To rest after our tour, we took a canal ride. Our guide recommended this company. It was relatively inexpensive and allowed us to see more of the city. The ride included recorded information about landmarks along the way.
Our canal boat
The original tower below was built in 1516 as part of a defensive wall around Amsterdam. The decorative part at the top was an addition in 1606. So much history in this city!
Ancient Montelbannstoren
Moreover, the buildings in Amsterdam are very narrow with multiple floors. The date they were built is displayed on the older buildings, like the 1590 date on the building below.
Note the date of the building in the center
Anne Frank House
Tickets to the Anne Frank house had to be purchased weeks ahead. Tickets become available on a specific day for the following couple of weeks. I set my clock for the middle of the night on the date the tickets dropped and snagged an afternoon entry time for our full day in Amsterdam. The photo below is the front of the house.
Front of the House
Anne and her family had been in hiding for two years when the Gestapo discovered them. Afterwards, Anne and her sister, Margot, died in a concentration camp and her mother died in Auschwitz. Only her father survived the captivity. He discovered her diary which was kept during their time in the attic and it was later published. The diary is believed to be most read book in the world, second only to the Bible.
Amsterdam in Conclusion
Because we crammed a lot of activities during our short stay, it was a quite exhausting. Overall though, our two days in Amsterdam were outstanding. I really wish I could return so we could see more of it at a leisurely pace.
Revisiting Virginia was a long time coming. See Virginia Camping, State, City and National Park for our first camping experiences in the state. That was five years ago. When our camping group, Southeastern T@bs, T@gs, and Friends (SETTF) planned a trip to Northwest Virginia, we were quickly on board. It was June and quite hot in our home state of Alabama, but we were hopeful a higher elevation would make it a comfortable time to visit.
Grayson Highlands State Park
Grayson Highlands State Park sits at an elevation of over 4,000 feet, and it was much cooler there.
A beautiful state park in the mountains
We brought our bikes in anticipation of riding the Virginia Creeper, a famous bike trail in nearby Damascus.
Our setup for the trip
It appears that Christmas trees are a major crop in the area and we passed many farms dedicated to them. The area is quite beautiful.
The land of Christmas Tree crops
Hiking in the Park
Revisiting Virginia brought some excellent hiking opportunities. We are not strong hikers these days, but we quickly devoted some time to the Rhododendron Trail with some of our friends in hopes of seeing the wild horses. It was chilly and raining that day but, it was a nice hike. However, no horses or rhododendrons were seen.
Hiking the Rhododendron Trail
The trail was fairly steep going up, but the cool temperatures made it more comfortable.
Rhododendrons!
I later returned with some friends and rhododendrons and horses were abundant. You had to follow another trail to see the flowers.
A longer hike with our group
We were briefly on the Appalachian Trail (AT) and I learned that the white single line in the photo below is a symbol of the AT. I have hiked parts of it before, but did not know about white blaze. It was a nice hike, but a bit challenging for me. I think we did 3-4 miles.
Horses
On this longer hike, we encountered several wild horses, some with their offspring.
A mother and her baby
They did not appear fearful of humans and allowed us to get quite close. There is something about seeing animals in the wild that is much more exciting then seeing them in captivity.
They let you get close
The Virginia Creeper
The Virginia Creeper is a 34 mile National Trail. The rail-to-recreation trail from Abingdon, Virginia through Damascus ends at Whitetop Station in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It is named for the train that had to keep such a slow speed going through the mountains.
Green Cove Station
Our group of 26 people were doing the Creeper starting at Bicycle Junction in Damascus. The town of Damascus is totally dedicated to the Creeper with several bike shops. The bike shop transports riders and their bikes to the Whitetop Station. It also rents bikes. We rode from Whitetop to Damascus, which was seventeen miles, mostly downhill.
My big guy loving the ride
It was a beautiful, sunny day for the ride and everyone had the best time! We have e-bikes, but for most of the way, I rode with zero assist.
A picturesque stop
My bike is above at a scenic spot along the way. The trail winds around Laurel Creek and there are many bridge crossings along the way. I have an irrational fear of riding over bridges on a bike. So, like a big sissy, I walked my bike over several of the bridges.
The longest bridge on this ride
However, I did ride across the bridge above. It was the longest of the day and it really creeped me out. But, I made it. My goal was to do the Creeper and not get hurt. I did that and am so glad we were able to have this experience!
Visiting Abingdon, Virginia
Abingdon is a charming town that is about an hour from our campground. We had tickets at the Barter Theatre for the play, Grandma Gatewood Takes a Walk. The play is based on the true story of a sixty-seven year old woman who hiked the entire 2,000+ miles of the AT in the 1950s.
The Barter Theatre Grounds
Surprisingly, it was just a two-person play. I didn’t expect much, but it was incredible! We laughed and cried watching the telling of this inspirational story told by such talented performers.
The stage for Grandma Gatewood Takes a Walk
The stage was simple, but they made it work so well.
The Martha
After the play, we walked through a steady rain next door to the Martha Washington Inn (aka The Martha) for an early dinner. We arrived quite wet, but everyone was very welcoming.
The inn was built in 1832 and is beautifully preserved. Our meal was at the restaurant in the hotel, Sister’s American Grill. Our time at the restaurant was perfect—a delicious meal in intimate surroundings with attentive service. My husband said his steak was the best he has ever had. By the time we left, the rain had stopped and we could get to our truck without getting wet again.
Friends Old and New
Revisiting Virginia enabled us to see our friends, Mark and Heidi, whom we also saw on our first trip to the state. They stopped at the campground for a night on their way to another destination. It was great catching up with them.
Our SETTF friends were wonderful, as always. We always have a great time with them. Several of them volunteered to watch our pup while we did the Creeper and saw the play. They are the best!
Lastly, we met a charming new couple, Scotty and Bob, that we hope to see again down the road.
Revisiting Virginia, In Conclusion
Virginia is a gorgeous state and our time there was amazing. The place, the people, and the cool weather made for a tremendous time.
Year seven of retirement in 2023 went by so quickly! We saw some beautiful new areas of the country on an epic trip to the Pacific Northwest. However, the year was not without its challenges, particularly related to health. But, we and our family are doing well overall.
Retirement Year Seven Travel
Anyone who has read my blog knows that travel, mostly in our camper, is an enormous focus of our time in retirement. The goal is to do everything we can while still able. Fortunately, it was a very active year in this area.
Headed out for our winter getaway
Our Winter Getaway
Our winter getaway was a little more than six weeks in several Florida campgrounds.
Topsail Preserve State Park
Firstly, we had two weeks at Topsail, a favorite campground, near Destin, Florida. It has a private beach and great places to ride our e-bikes. We bought a cart Sophie and provided lots of treats, but she was not a happy biker. So, she stayed at the camper for most of our rides. We rode bikes almost every day!
We tried to get Sophie involved
The park is close to Destin with all its restaurants and shopping and is one of our favorite areas in Florida.
Our home for two weeks
The beautiful beach at Topsail never gets old, particularly during sunset.
Topsail’s private beach
Presnell’s at Port St. Joe
Secondly, it was a week at Presnell’s and we loved our site that was right on the water. It is more expensive than State Parks, but, it has more amenities like a heated pool and clubhouse.
Presnell’s campground
Every morning, there were egrets in the water right behind us and there were stunning sunsets each evening. The area has several nice restaurants, so not much cooking by me.
Egrets behind our campsite
Eastbank COE
Next, we spent a week at Eastbank, Corps of Engineers. Our site was right on the water there as well and the views were spectacular. There is a nearby restaurant, The American, that we really loved. We visited it twice.
Chilling at Eastbank
We took a day to drive into nearby Tallahassee to visit the State Capital and it did not disappoint. There is a historic building and right across from it is the currently used, ultra-modern building. It was quite the contrast! We toured both. There were films, exhibits, and artifacts, but no tour by a person. A nice lunch downtown at Harry’s completed our excursion.
Florida’s Historic Capital BuildingFlorida’s New Capital
Manatee Springs State Park
We just had three nights at Manatee Springs, but we loved being able to get in the water and paddle in a couple of rental kayaks. Two manatees were just hanging out where we put into the water.
Manatee Springs on a warm, sunny day
We took a wrong turn on a bike trail and were a bit lost as the sun was going down. I was worried we might end up all night in the woods. Happily, we found our way out before it was too dark. It’s not good when neither of you have a sense of direction.
Hillsborough River State Park
The stop near Tampa at Hillsborough was primarily to visit our son and daughter-in-law. They took us out on a boat and it was glorious with the sun on our faces and breathing the sea air. Our dogs loved it too!
Boating on the Intercoastal with FamilyBoating with the pups
Problems with our Truck
It was a wonderful trip with mostly great weather. However, it ended on a sour note when our practically new Ram 2500’s transmission failed. The truck was under warranty, but we had to find a truck to tow our camper home. Then, we had to drive back to Ocala to pick up our truck after the new transmission was installed. It was all very stressful.
Camping with Friends
We have camped with a group related to our former camper for many years and were able to take a three trips with them this year. However, also we had three trips on the books that we had to cancel. One was because of bad weather, one because of our truck problem, and one because we contracted Covid.
Falls Creek Falls in Tennessee was a lively trip for us in early May. It is always a good time seeing the folks in this group, many of whom we have camped with several times a year during most of our retirement. They are an active group who hike, bike, and kayak every opportunity they can. (We do our best.) Later in May, we met the group at Monte Sano State Park in Alabama.
Fun times at Calfkiller Brewery
Lastly, in September, we camped with the group at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia. I did a hike that was very challenging for me that I was proud to complete with my lung issues. I believe that it was close to four miles with a fair amount uphill. The views were certainly worth the effort.
Gorgeous Cloudland Canyon Cliff
The Pacific Northwest
The highlight of our retirement year seven was the trip to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, it was our most epic trip ever. We were gone for almost all of June and July and towed the trailer approximately 7,000 miles. This trip included four new states for us: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Colorado. It included six National Parks/Monuments, two State Capitols, and the Eisenhower Presidential Library. Upon retrospect, I believe this was our best trip ever.
Summer trip to the Pacific Northwest
Glacier National Park
Montana was not a new state for us, but we didn’t include Glacier on our previous visit because it was so far north. We made it a point to visit Glacier on this trip and it was so worth it. The Going-to-the Sun road into the park is only open for a limited time in the summer months because of the climate and opening day depends on current conditions. Coincidentally, it only opened two days before we were there on June 15th. We weren’t aware that it could be an issue when I planned the trip.
Glacier National Park
Idaho
I did not expect to love Idaho as much as I did. It actually blew me away. We had three very different stops and all were outstanding. In the north, we visited Farragut State Park, one of my favorite parks in all our travels. We also stayed downtown in Boise and loved our time there. If it wasn’t so far from family, I would love to live in Boise. We visited the State Capitol and the Territorial Prison. Lastly, while visiting out-of-the way Arco, we saw Craters of the Moon National Monument. It was very otherworldly. See my post, Idaho Camping, Summer 2023 for more details about this incredible state.
The Lake at Farragut State ParkBoise State Capitol
Washington
Our time in Washington included five different stops, a day trip to Seattle, Puget Sound, Mount Rainier National Park, and Olympic National Park. I was expecting it to be wonderful and it was. We did some dry camping at a couple of stops and all went well. Washington Camping, Summer Trip 2023 has more details.
Post Alley in SeattleMount Rainier National Park
Oregon
Oregon was another surprise for me. It was another favorite state. The most beautiful and memorable view on this trip of beautiful views was in Crater Lake National Park. At almost 2,000 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the U.S. It was so beautiful that it felt like a religious experience to me. We also really enjoyed the little town of Prospect, which is near the park.
Crater Lake National Park
Another breathtaking area of Oregon is the Columbia River Gorge and the many falls along the historic highway. More information about our time in this beautiful state is at Oregon Camping, Summer 2023.
Multnomah Falls in the early morning
Colorado
Colorado was a world of its own with its unique beauty. We had three stops in the state with Rocky Mountain National Park as our ultimate destination. High elevation dominates most of the state. I did okay around five thousand feet, but in Gypsum, which had an elevation of 6,400, it was beginning to be difficult for me.
Camper view at River Dance RV In Gypsum
We traveled on to Estes Park Campground near Rocky Mountain National Park, but the elevation was over 7,500 and my blood oxygen levels were dropping too low. So, our three night stay became only one night. The National Park has elevations as high as 14,000 and I knew that would not work for me. So our only activity there was The Stanley Hotel., which was the inspiration for the movie, The Shining. For more on our time in Colorado, see Our 49th State, Colorado.
The Stanley Hotel
Our Dance Group
When in town, we still tried to meet with our dance group friends and dance a little. But, I am sad to say that with the infrequency of our dancing and declining health that our dance skills are poor. But, we still enjoyed the time with friends in this seventh year of retirement.
Our leadout was “Come Back to the Prom”We dressed up for the Halloween Dance too
Sophie
Our sweet Sophie was a big part of daily life in our seventh year of retirement. She turned three at the end of the year and is such a good girl! Sophie went through e-collar training in 2023 and her behavior was taken to a much higher level. We love our baby!
Sophie is a great traveler
Other Interests
I developed two other interests during retirement year seven. The first was Ancestry and I can literally spend hours working on it and the time flies. I have learned so much about my ancestors, some were quite impressive and some shocking.
My second new interest is the game of bridge. It started near the end of the year. I have joined the Birmingham Duplicate Bridge Club and really enjoy it!
A Wedding in Louisville
Our year ended with a beautiful wedding of a cousin in Louisville, Kentucky. Our hotel was downtown in a cool area and the wedding was on New Year’s Eve. So, we were able to ring in the new year with many cousins we adore. Win/ Win!
Fourth Street in Louisville
The wedding was wonderful and the venue was perfect for the night. We generally don’t go out on New Year’s Eve and often don’t even manage to stay awake. Most importantly, we were awake for it all. Retirement year seven ended on a high note.
Wedding at the Mellwood Arts Center
Retirement Year Seven, In Conclusion
As I look back on these memories, it is clear that in retirement year seven we were very blessed. We have had some health challenges and are clearly slowing down, but we are still going. I’m so thankful for the year we have had and for the people in our lives!
We had no idea that flooding was predicted at Fort Desoto Campground in Tierra Verde, Florida when we departed for a few days to spend with family who live in the area. They predicted the weather to be colder than the last few years, but we did not expect a tropical storm.
Falling Waters State Park
Falling Waters was a stop along the way. It was our second visit and everything was great. We had a level, concrete site and it was warm and sunny when we arrived.
I enjoyed a relatively short hike with our pup to the sinkhole. It was just over two miles, with a good bit of uphill on the return. It felt good to get some outdoor exercise.
Miss Sophie kept me Company
It was an easy path to the sinkhole.
Path to the sinkholeThe Sinkhole
The viewing platform for the sinkhole is on the left in the photo above. That is a waterfall on the right. You couldn’t see much in the sinkhole. When we were there before, there was a lot of trash that people had dumped. It was good to see that it had been cleaned up.
We got up very early the next morning because we had a long drive and it gets dark so early. We were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise. Falling Waters was a good time for us.
Sunrise at Falling Waters
Fort Desoto
Fort Desoto is a favorite park for many reasons. It’s county park on an island just south of Saint Petersburg with beautiful beaches. There are great bike trails and an audacious dog park where dogs can also access the beach.
We had reserved four nights, but were only sleeping at the park on the first and last nights. The two middle nights (weekend nights) we were spending with our son and daughter-in-law at their condo in Saint Petersburg. We learned after we arrived at Fort Desoto about the flood warning.
Our first night was uneventful. The park was more empty than we have seen it, but given the weather, it made sense.
Site #96
It wasn’t cold yet and it felt good outside as I walked our pup around the park.
Checking out the park
We headed to Saint Petersburg the next morning, leaving our camper for two nights in the park. It was disconcerting to leave it with the weather conditions, but we didn’t have a good option other than leaving the area entirely and not visiting our children.
Two nights with Family
It became quite cold that Friday night. We stopped at our son’s local American Legion Post at Madeira Beach and sat outside. It was quite nippy.
Our son and daughter-in-law
It had a beautiful view, despite the overcast skies. We had drinks before heading to Indian Rocks Grill for dinner.
View from the VFW
It was a lovely evening, but the weather was getting progressively colder with high winds. We settled in for the weekend in our family’s condo. With the winds, rain, and potential for tornados, we were grateful to be there instead of back at the campground. It was a lovely and restful time. Our kids kept us well-fed and entertained while the weather raged on outside.
Fort Desoto After the Flooding
So, we made our way back to the campground with hopes that our camper would not be damaged. The campground had a few areas where you could see that the water had flooded some, but it didn’t look significant. We were so relieved when we first spotted our camper and there was no visible damage. We could see where water had flowed through our site bringing vegetation with it.
Our Camper was Intact!
The next big question was whether the water rose enough to penetrate the undercarriage. Fortunately, the tires clearly showed that the water level did not reach the bottom of the camper. What a relief!
The tires on both sides indicated about 8 inches of waterWater was still collected in the back of the site
If we had stayed in our camper instead of in town, we would have had a scary night during the storm and coming outside with several inches of water would have been very difficult. But, we would have had no choice because we have a dog.
Three Rivers State Park
Our last night on the road was at Three Rivers State Park.It is a park we often use as a stopover when heading to central Florida. The park is on Lake Seminole and is a hidden gem. There are deer all around. This one seemed to wait patiently while I snapped her picture.
An unafraid deer
The park has a lake view, super clean facilities, a boat launch, and hiking trails. It is a very nice park.
Three Rivers State Park
We were able to snag a pull-through site with a concrete pad. I noticed that the picnic tables were all nice too.
Site #23
In Conclusion
After all the angst about the flooding at Fort Desoto, our trip went well. The weather was cold and stormy, but we had a couple of wonderful days with family and nice stops along the way. This trip falls into the “Good Times” category. Check out our page, States Visited, a Campsite Resource for other posts of our travels.
Our 49th State for camping was Colorado. For seven years, we have been working on a retirement goal to camp in all fifty states. Finally, in the summer of 2023, we took a trip to pick up the last four unvisited states in the continental United States. The entire trip was challenging because it was over 7,000 miles and two months on the road. I was actually concerned about our ability to do such a long trip as we are older with some health issues. But, we forged ahead, and I’m so glad we did.
However, I wish we had traveled to Colorado years ago because the altitude was too much for me. Despite the issues, I’m so grateful I was able to spend some time in this beautiful state.
Our Epic (for us) Trip
Colorado
Our intention for Colorado was to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for three days, with a couple of one night stops getting there. I knew the elevation was high, but we had already stayed in Arco, Idaho and Salt Lake City, Utah for several days and the elevation for both was in the 5000 range. I was struggling a bit, but hoping that acclimation was occurring. Plus, we were excited about seeing Rocky Mountain NP.
Grand Junction
Our first night in Colorado was in Grand Junction at the KOA. The altitude was 4,593, which is similar to what we experienced on our previous five nights. I could feel the altitude, but it wasn’t extreme.
We had a relaxing night at this very nice KOA. All was good!
Grand Junction KOA
The Ride to Gypsum
It turned out that the trip to Gypsum and then to Estes Park was a major part of our Colorado experience. In our travels in the Pacific Northwest, we traveled around mountains. In Colorado, you travel through them!
Tunnels Through the Mountains
For example, Hanging Lake Tunnel is almost a mile long. The roads carved out in the mountains were impressive.
Hanging Lake Tunnel
Our route was quite scenic because most of it wound along the Colorado River. The river was very wide with fast rapids. We saw a lot of people enjoying the river.
Glenwood Springs Rafting the Colorado
My husband did all the driving because the road was very curvy, yet with a fast speed limit. So, I was free to just enjoy it. Sometimes it’s good to be the less-competent one.
The Road Along the Colorado River
River Dance RV
River Dance in Gypsum was gorgeous. We arrived during very high winds. So, we just plugged up the power for the air conditioner and waited for the wind to calm. It was very hot.
River Dance RV
After awhile, we ventured out and walked the park. It was very challenging for me to do anything. The altitude was 6,300 and it took my shortness of breath to the next level.
Site # 39
I began to think that Rocky Mountain NP was not going to work for me. My blood oxygen levels were lower than the should be and our next stop was even higher. I looked to see how we could head in the direction of home and get to a much lower elevation in one day’s drive. Unfortunately, all the places we could practically get to were quite high elevations.
Amazing Views
So, we decided to go to Estes Park, where we had reserved three nights and to buy some Boost oxygen. It is sold there because of the high altitude and I hoped that it would enable us to complete the trip. In the meantime, we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings at our current stop. Once it cooled down a bit, I could walk around, but I was not moving fast at all. The Eagle River was behind the campground and it was pretty.
The Eagle River
Our 49th State Destination, Estes Park
As planned, we made it to Estes Park Campground, which is just a few miles from Rocky Mountain Park. To get there, we drove through Loveland Pass with an elevation of almost 12,000 feet. Both my husband and I were not feeling well. We also went through the Eisenhower-Johnson Tunnel and after it the road was covered with potholes. I later learned it is because it receives so much heavy ice and snow. I heard some pretty serious cussing from my husband.
The campground
We headed first to a pharmacy for the Boost oxygen and then to the campground. Our site was quite short, but adequate for our trailer. The views were very nice though.
The oxygen helped me a little, but the effect was very short-lived. The elevation at Estes Park was 8,000.
We drove around town looking for a place for dinner. The small town was jam-packed with people. We tried to eat at a popular barbecue restaurant, but the parking was insane and once parked, we discovered there was an hour wait. This was on a weeknight. Big Horn Restaurant, however, was not so crowded and we had a very good meal there.
Site M26
If all was well, we planned to go to the park early the next day to beat the crowds. But, several times during the night, I checked my blood oxygen levels. I used the Boost oxygen, but my levels of 87-88 were below what is considered safe. This meant that my organs and brain could be compromised. We would have to leave!
View from our Sire
The Stanley Hotel
I wanted to see two things while at Estes Park. The National Park, of course, and The Stanley Hotel. We didn’t have time to see the National Park and didn’t need the higher elevation, but we could drive just a few miles to check out the Stanley.
The enormous hotel was built in 1909. Stephen King stayed there in the 1970s, when it was in disrepair. It inspired his third novel, The Shining. At that time, it did actually shut down for the winter and required a caretaker. It was also reputed to be haunted.
The Stanley Hotel
It was gorgeous, upscale, and very well-maintained. We checked out the lobby and gift shop and also walked around it, but did not get to take the nighttime tour that I would have liked.
A Nod to the Movie
The view of the Rockies from the Stanley was stunning! So, we had been able to breakfast at a popular restaurant, The Egg of Estes, and tour the lobby and grounds of the Stanley. It was not all we had planned, but better than nothing.
View From the Hotel
Departure Landscapes
Before we left, we checked out Mary’s Lake. Pretty, but no swimming or boating there.
Mary’s Lake
The road to our next destination was not as challenging to drive, but still pretty. Colorado, you are beautiful!
The Mountains Beside Us
Our 49th State Conclusion
I am so glad we were able to visit Colorado, our 49th state, but boy did it kick my butt! I think most people would do fine there, but I have some significant lung issues. If you are interested in any of the other forty-eight states we have visited, check out States Visited, a Campsite Resource. Now all we have left is Hawaii.
Because we have never done any camping in Idaho before, we really didn’t know what to expect. Our three stops were all wonderful, but vastly different. We visited a state park, an RV park in Boise (the state capital and biggest city), and Arco, a small town near Craters of the Moon, a National Monument. Each stop was certainly a uniquely memorable experience.
Farragut State Park
Our Idaho camping began with Farragut State Park. But, I must admit, I had a bad attitude about it before we arrived. I wanted to stay in an Idaho State Park and Farragut is one of its most popular. It also worked well with our route. But, when booking, I learned that out-of-State visitors pay double the rate of state residents. I felt that was excessive, but booked it anyway. I’m so glad I did because it was worth every penny.
We had a very nice pull-through site in this beautiful campground. The park was well-maintained and our stay was most pleasant.
Site # 138
Our pup loved walking in this campground
Farragut is in Athol, which is the northern part of the state and the whole area looks much like Montana with beautiful mountains all around. It is in the top, skinny part of the state called the panhandle.
The Lake
Lake Pend Orielle access is in the park. The water was a clear, topaz blue with mountains all around. It was incredibly windy while we were there.
Most importantly, the lake is 1,158 feet deep, the fifth deepest lake in the United States. It covers a lot of territory with 111 miles of shoreline. I took a short hike along the shoreline enjoying the view. It was cool that day and my long sleeves felt good.
Lake Pend Orielle
Coeur D Alene
Coeur D Alene is a highly popular city in Idaho that is known for water sports and golf. It was a very cute, super clean city. Our pup with us, so we were looking for outside seating. Collective Kitchen was in the heart of downtown with the seating we needed. However, it was so cold! The food was good, but our server gave us a bit of attitude because she had to come out in the cold to wait on us. She was not charming!
Lunch in Coeur D Alene
There is a really nice park in the city. I liked the Blue Heron statue dedicated to a popular local physician. It’s a cute city.
Blue Heron was dedicated to a popular physician
Farragut Naval Center Museum
A visit ti the museum is free to Farragut State Park visitors and it was definitely worth the time. The 4,000 acres that is now the state park was once owned by several families. When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, the United States had to ramp up its Navy immediately. They bought the land and built enormous barracks. The Navy ultimately housed and trained over 200,000 sailors at the facility. They tore the barracks down many years ago. The only original building that remains is the brig, which now houses the museum.
Farragut Naval Center Museum
Teaching sailors who lived in land locked areas to swim was the major training objective and there were multiple training pools for that purpose. The museum has a lot of information about the times and how the facility was built in record time to ready the United States Navy for WW II. We really liked it and learned a lot.
One of several swimming facilities
Boise
Our second Idaho camping stop was Boise, the largest city in Idaho and its capital. We loved the city! It was very clean and easy to get around. Boise is very rapidly growing, but is not yet a big city. Its population was approximately 237 thousand in 2021. If it wasn’t so far from family, I could envision living there.
However, we were in southern Idaho now and it was mid-August. So, it was very hot!
State Capital Building
We try to visit State Capitals whenever possible because I love the architecture and the history of such buildings. At this capital, there was a film about the building and visitors can access most of the building. They completed the building in 1912 for just over $2 million. In 2000, a major restoration cost $64 million.
Idaho State Capital Building
The building is very ornate with a gorgeous dome. A major focus of the building is marble and something called scagliola, a laborious process to create a marble look with a goal of “ A Capital of Light.”
My husband taking a break
There are several important pieces of art at the capital that you would expect to see in a prestigious art museum. The French gave the State of Idaho a famous piece, “Winged Victory”, which was once on display at the Louvre in Paris. The statue is 11 feet tall and was discovered in 190 B. C. in Greece. The statue was a part of the Merci Train to thank the United States for its efforts in WW II.
“Winged Victory”
In addition, new artwork on the lawn commemorates 100 years of women’s suffrage. The statue represents past, present, and future Idaho women and she walks in the footsteps of those who have gone before. I loved it!
Spirit of Idaho Women
Best Idaho Meal
Idaho is known for its potatoes and our favorite meal in the state was at Boise Fry Company. We had already discovered that hamburgers in the area were outstanding because of the sourcing of local meat. This combo was a home run. The burgers were excellent and the fries were next level! They also had a wide selection of dipping sauces. The owner came to our table and chatted for a long while and offered suggestions for how we could best enjoy the city. Additionally, we had a fantastic waffle dessert from Waffle Me Up located in the same building.
Lunch at Boise Fry Company
Mountain View RV
Our campground was in the city. The good was convenience, excellent management, an immaculate bathhouse, lovely trees and landscaping. The negative was it was right beside the interstate. It was noisy, but with the A/C on to address the heat, we were less aware of it.
Site # 130 at Mountain View RV
Idaho Territorial Prison
We visited the Yuma Territorial Prison a few years ago. It surprised me how interesting it was, so we checked out this one. There are only four in the United States.
Idaho State Penitentiary
So, why would this be interesting? To me, it tells the story of our civilization and how we deal with problem residents. Above all, this country has criminal justice issues today and knowing the history of how the issues have been addressed in the past is relevant to me. The stories about specific inmates and how the system evolved in Idaho was fascinating.
Many of the buildings have cell blocks on display. The courtyard is peaceful and well manicured today, but it must have been a miserable place in its day.
The courtyard is peaceful today
One of the more modern buildings had a single, disastrous execution by hanging. I think it was the last death by hanging in the state. They closed the prison and converted it to a museum over fifty years ago. Our tour guide did a wonderful job of telling the stories of the prison and its inmates.
The Gallows
Craters of the Moon
Our last Idaho camping was to visit Craters of the Moon, a National Monument and Preserve. The landscape has been described as a wierd combination of lava and sagebrush. It did look otherworldly.
The Devil’s Orchard
The volcanos that dominated this area erupted many thousands of years ago and left this barren 52-mile system of fissures. I walked the loop and enjoyed it.
Lava Wall
The photo below is a Cinder Cone. Many people were walking to the top, but I was feeling the elevation (5,900 feet) and didn’t attempt it.
Cinder Cone
Meanwhile, nature finds a way to spring forth new life in several different types of flowers in this desolate land.
Flowers somehow manage to grow there
The seven volcanos that erupted and whose remains can be seen inside the park can be viewed at a lookout on the road outside the park. The oldest is on the left and is believed to have erupted 15,000 years and the most recent on the right about 2,000 years ago.
Seven volcanoes along the Great Rift
Craters of the Moon is off the beaten track, but I am so glad we had the opportunity to see it.
Arco, Idaho
Our home for three nights while visiting the monument was in nearby Arco, Idaho. It is a quaint little town with friendly people.
Arco embraces its nuclear history
So, Arco is near a decommissioned nuclear reactor and it was the first city in the world to be powered by atomic energy. They were having a festival while we were there called Atomic Days with a rodeo and live music. But, we were too tired to participate. Late nights are not our thing these days.
A hundred-year-old tradition
This mountain in Arco has the class year of each graduating class going back 102 years. Our server at a local restaurant said her mother told her the students were lowered on a tire to paint their year. I have since wondered about upkeep. Do they go back to freshen the paint?
Pickles Place is a local tradition
Pickle’s Place is one of very few places to eat and the locals favor it. We had atomic burgers one afternoon and a big breakfast there one morning.
Craters of the Moon KOA
The remote KOA was very nice with a most friendly staff. After the heat of Boise, we enjoyed its temperatures in the eighties instead of sweltering in the nineties. Our pup enjoyed lounging in the shade, something it was too hot to do in Boise.
Site F5
Free pancake breakfasts and ice cream socials for a dollar made this a fun place and they had huckleberry ice cream! Also, we met some interesting people and enjoyed the shade while doing some laundry.
Enjoying the ice cream social.
Another special moment was when Sophie got to meet a horse up close. She always gets excited when we are driving and they are nearby. However, she didn’t know quite what to do with it this close.
Sophie met a horse
Idaho Camping in Conclusion
Idaho camping was so much more spectacular than I anticipated. It is a very beautiful place with lovely people and an awesome variety of terrain and things to do. I feel so blessed that I was able to experience it! If you would like to read about visits to other states, check out States Visited, a Campsite Resource.
Oregon camping trip far exceeded my expectations! We were looking forward to this new state, but had no idea how wonderful it would be. For instance, Oregon State Parks (Fort Steven’s, Cape Blanco and Ainsworth) were great because there was so much to see within and near the parks. Also, Crater Lake and Multnomah Falls are a couple of the most beautiful places we have seen in the United States. Lastly, temperatures were cool while much of the country was under extreme heat.
Fort Steven’s State Park
Fort Steven’s State Park was our favorite park on this trip. It is on the coast and is just across a bridge from the quaint town, Astoria. There are a few small municipalities very near the park, so the location was convenient. We actually got an oil change there and a guy servicing our truck gave me a cutting of a spider plant. It made it back to our house alive after sixteen stops.
The campground is enormous with sixteen loops. We had an electric and water site on loop O. The campground includes a historic fort, a lake, an interesting shipwreck, and a beautiful beach.
Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Our campground was just a short drive from Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. It was a small park that has a Visitor Center with some nice exhibits and a film. The park included a replica of a fort built by Lewis and Clark to survive the winter. A ranger, dressed in period clothing, told a story related to the time there.
Replica of Fort Clatsop
The Oregon coast was the final destination of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition and the park commemorates it. It also has a lot of interesting information about the expedition. Travel is so educational!
“Arrival”. They accomplished their goal!
The Historic Fort
The historic fort included old military buildings and some exhibits. There were gun batteries in position towards the water. I had never heard that the Japanese fired upon the US during WWII, but Fort Steven’s is where this occurred. The land and water around the fort was beautiful and we saw about four or five elk in the wild.
We were fired on by the Japanese!
The Beach
The beach in the park is rocky and lovely near the jetty. It was also quite windy.
The beach at Fort Steven’s
There is an area where the coast includes a sandy beach and quite a few people were there. It is also where a very large ship, the Peter Iredale, wrecked on the coast in 1906. The sea has certainly done much to reclaim the ship.
The remains of the Peter Iredale
This was probably the best campground during our entire trip. The only downside was that we heard some strange noises one morning and it appears that one of the many strange-looking squirrels in the park was somewhere in the engine of our truck. It freaked us out! My husband examined it. The squirrel had pulled out a piece of insulation, but no other issues arose. For our next several stops, we put lights out around the perimeter of the truck.
Ainsworth State Park
We had three nights booked at Ainsworth State Park in Corbett, Oregon to visit Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge. As we drove through Portland on our route, we were astounded to clearly see the enormous mountain in the photo below. I learned that it was Mount Hood, elevation 11,250 feet. I thought we would be able to enjoy seeing it for the next couple of days. Sadly, driving through that day was the only sighting.
Mount Hood was very visible as we headed for Multnomah Falls
The Falls
Multnomah Falls was just a few miles from our campground and it did not disappoint. We couldn’t see it on our first attempt because we didn’t start early enough. It was the weekend before July 4th and we began at 10 am. However, there was no available parking near Multnomah Falls or the popular Vista House. We were able to see some of the less popular views and waterfalls, but not those two spots. So, we got up early the next morning and were able to enjoy the falls and Vista House without the crowds. It was wonderful!
The majestic Multnomah Falls
Historic Columbia River Highway
The Historic Columbia River Highway opened in 1916 and was designed like the great scenic roads of Europe. One goal was to recognize the natural beauty along the route. A modern highway, Interstate 84, has replaced it for transportation, but sections of it remain open and it draws hoards of visitors every year.
The Historic Columbia River Highway
The early morning photo below was the view from Vista House, at Crown Point. It was built in 1916 originally as a rest stop for travelers on the historic highway. Much care was taken to make it beautiful with an outstanding view. The Columbia River and valley below were mesmerizing.
The vast Columbia River in the early morning
Vista House is in the distance in the photo below. It was taken from the Women’s Forum Viewpoint. The photo was taken on the day that crowds made it impossible to see. It was closed the next day when we visited.
View of the valley below
Oregon Camping in Eugene
Our stay two night stay at Deerwood RV in Eugene was on July 3rd and 4th. It had been getting warmer as we traveled south and while in Eugene it was in the mid-nineties. Fortunately, they switched us to a shady site that helped tremendously with the heat. The campground was very nice with so many beautiful flowers.
Shady site at Deerwood RV
Eugene Activities
We had hoped to do some things in Eugene, but most attractions and many restaurants were closed for the holiday. So, our experience with Eugene included a popular noodle restaurant and a grocery store.
Mount Pisgah Aboreum
Mount Pisgah Aboreum was open though and was nearby. It was nice, but very hot. We took a walk on a shady trail to the water where many locals were swimming.
Mount Pisgah Aboreum
The holiday proved to be relatively quiet in the campground. We had a nice meal with our next door neighbors, Marty and Becky from California. That plus doing some laundry was our holiday.
Cape Blanco State Park
Cape Blanco was our third Oregon State Park and it was excellent as well. We had moved further south, but back to the coast. I was thinking that we could be laying on the beach there. Not!! It was actually cold, windy, and raining. We did not expect weather like this! Our site was nice, shady and near the bathhouse and we were warm and cozy in our Lance. The campground is tucked well into the forest.
Cape Blanco Site A05
The Beach
The beach was equally unexpected. We first visited an area accessible inside the campground. Great amounts of driftwood lay against the bottom of the cliffs like a massive stack of bones. People can drive their vehicles down there and my husband initially considered it. But, I dissuaded him by telling him how dirty it would get. A truck was down there and, for a moment, it looked like they might become stuck. But, they finally made it back up. A host told us that it costs $1,000 just for someone to come out there if a vehicle gets stuck. We certainly didn’t need any of that.
The rugged beach in the campground
The Lighthouse
It was incredibly windy at the lighthouse. This part of the Oregon coast is the most westerly. Perhaps this explains why it is colder and much more windy than the more northern shores. The lighthouse is the oldest standing one in Oregon, dating back to 1870. It is still operational. We took a tour and went inside, but could not go to the top.
Cape Blanco Lighthouse
The shore around the lighthouse is very rocky and windy, but quite beautiful.
The shore near the lighthouse
The Hughes Homestead
The Hughes Historic Homestead is also within the park. We took a tour and learned that the Hughes settled the land that they obtained through the Homestead Act. They were very successful dairy farmers. Most importantly, their land became what is now Cape Blanco State Park.
Hughes Historic Homestead
Crater Lake National Park
We spent two nights at Crater Lake RV in Prospect, Oregon to visit Crater Lake National Park. The campground is very convenient to Crater Lake and the small town of Prospect was fun to visit. While we were there, we did laundry at the campground and had meals at Prospect Pizza and Beckie’s Cafe. It was an awesome stop and included the most natural beauty we saw on our trip.
The Lake
Crater Lake
Crater Lake was breathtaking to see. The deep blue color is like no other I have encountered. The lake is almost two thousand feet deep and is the deepest lake in the United States. It is only feed by rain and snow. It gets plenty of snow because Park Headquarters averages 42 feet of snow per year. The lake is actually the shell of a collapsed volcano that erupted almost eight thousand years ago.
Enjoying the early morning views
We arrived early in the morning to beat the crowds. I highly recommend going early because we got a sense of how crowded it becomes as we were leaving. It was also wonderful to see the lake in the early morning light.
Though we were visiting in mid-July, there was still snow in the area. The lake elevation level is approximately six thousand feet and any time I was very active, I was reminded of the high elevation.
Snow was still in the Park
Rogue River
The Rogue River is the most beautiful river I have ever seen. Our viewing of it included waterfalls and a natural bridge. The water is a tropical looking aqua color and is crystal clear. It is in the Siskiyou National Forest and there is a lovely area that has multiple easy-to-access places to view the river. All I can say is, “Wow!” The beauty of Crater Lake and the Rouge River made this the best overall stop on our Oregon camping adventure.
The Rogue River
Oregon Camping in Burns
Our last stop was just a one night travel stop in Burns. We did not see anything in the city or have any meals there, but we did enjoy the countryside along the way. The roads were still curvy and mountainous, but the green of the forest was no longer present. Still beautiful though, just different.
The countryside near Burns
We weren’t crazy about our site at the RV Park because it was awkward to park and near a pretty grungy bathhouse with some stored rvs. There was a nicer area, but they were full hookups, which we didn’t need for one night.
Site #14 at Burn RV
The best thing about our time at the RV park was the sunset. This was across the street from us. It wasn’t a bad end to our Oregon camping adventure.
A beautiful sunset
Oregon Camping Conclusion
To sum up our Oregon Camping experience, it was perhaps the best state we visited on this trip. The State Parks were all above average and Crater Lake was perhaps the most spectacular natural beauty that I have seen. The people we encountered were all nice and the weather was more comfortable than many places on our journey. The driving, however, was very challenging with curvy mountain roads, relatively high speed limits, and a few crazy drivers. But, all things considered, we highly recommend a visit to this beautiful state! Check out our page, States Visited, a Campsite Resource if interested in more of our travels.
Anne and her family had been in hiding for two years when the Gestapo discovered them. Afterwards, Anne and her sister, Margot, died in a concentration camp and her mother died in Auschwitz. Only her father survived the captivity. He discovered her diary which was kept during their time in the attic and it was later published. The diary is believed to be most read book in the world, second only to the Bible.
