Kayaking Clear Lake and on to Springfield, OR - Wed, May 29

Kayaking Clear Lake and on to Springfield

Today we planned to drive through other areas of John Day Fossil Beds before heading up into the mountains and Sisters. Unfortunately, after saying goodbye to our new friends, the engine would not start. Tried jumping it but it would not hold. We weren't thrilled with the idea of having it towed to a small town mechanic but luckily a call to Al, my stepdad, gave us the info we needed to get it started. Once started, we decided to change our plans and drive straight to Nate and Rux's, figuring we could get the van fixed easier in a larger city. But, once started, the van seemed to be working fine so we decided to risk it and stopped at Clear Lake to go kayaking.

So clear you could see to the bottom - this is a tree trunk deep down.

There were two bald eagles squabbling above us.

The water was so teal in one area.

A PBS show, Original Fare, was being shot along the shore, right next to where we had parked. We didn't take photos, but it was fun to see.

From there we decided to press our luck and stopped at Sahalie Falls

And then hiked down to Koosah Falls.

Clyde Holliday State Park, Oregon - Tuesday, May 28

Clyde Holliday State Park, Oregon - Tuesday, May 28

Pulled in last night to one of our favorite spots in eastern Oregon, the beautifully situated and shaded Clyde Holliday alongside the John Day River. Arrived early enough, and with enough energy, to make a real dinner - I think our first since we got on the road (have no fear, we are still eating way too much, but it has been more along the lines of sandwiches or heat-and-eat).

Next morning we met fellow Sportsmobile campers Cindy and Mike who are traveling in their Ford 4x4 with an electric lift for the roof. We had camper envy - especially Cheryl. After making plans for a pot luck with our new friends, we drove to the Kam Wah Chung State Heritage Site in the town of John Day. Chinese immigrants came to the US to do manual labor on the railroad and in gold mining, often coming as indentured servants. Unwelcome by the whites, they set up little Chinatowns just outside of the towns they were working near. After the booms the US instituted Chinese Exclusion laws and whipped up anti-Chinese sentiment, fomenting mobs to attack immigrants (any of this sound familiar)and burn down their towns. However, in this town there were two men who went into business together and gained the respect of the white townsfolk. Ing "Doc" Hay was a practitioner of "Chinese medicine", an herbalist and pulsologist. He had a good reputation for curing folks and whites soon began to come to him to cure their ailments. His partner, Lung On, ran the general store portion of the business and became a well respected, and successful, businessman in the area.  Years later Lung died and Doc fell and broke his hip, prompting a nephew to lock the business and move Doc into rehab where he eventually died. The store/herbal pharmacy remained locked and untouched for 20 years. It is now a time capsule museum.

The Chinese medicine ingredients

The general store.

The AirBNB of its time - 4 to a bed.

 

Drove to John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, a place we have really enjoyed exploring in the past.

And stopped to hike through the James Cant Historic Ranch

Back to camp and a wonderful dinner with our new friends.

Kirkham Hot Springs, Idaho - Monday, May 27

Kirkham Hot Springs, Idaho - Monday, May 27

Today we had a beautiful, twisty drive up the mountains just northeast of Boise because Cheryl very much wanted to experience the natural hot springs here. We are not regretting our choice of vehicle - already we have had experiences we could not have had if we had chosen a larger vehicle because of height or length restrictions, and as we climb and descend mountains I am so grateful to not be towing anything.

The hot springs were a tad crowded since it was the Monday of Memorial Day weekend, but we still had a lovely time and Cheryl was happy for the experience. It was a beautifully warm day and it felt good to get out from under layers of clothing.

Super hot water gushing from a spring - luckily it cools enough to sit in a bit further down the hill.

Day 6 and 7 - Craters of the Moon, Idaho

Day 6 and 7 -  Craters of the Moon, Idaho

On the road to Idaho we had to pull off and get a watercraft inspection, as we did coming into Wyoming.  The west is desperately trying to keep zebra mussels from being introduced into their waters. This time they actually offered us a "hot wash" to ensure that nothing was living on the kayaks that could invade their waters. Serious stuff.

Our plan was to go to the Potato Museum, but it was closed. We were disappointed and will have to include it another time. Instead, we drove directly on to Craters of the Moon. Set up camp and slept peacefully accompanied by a gentle rain.

Started our morning at the Craters of the Moon National Monument Visitor Center, learning about the geology of volcanos and the area, before heading into the lava fields.

Beautiful lichen

While waiting at the base of the Inferno Cone for the thunderstorm to pass, this happened - yes, that is a tornado, no it did not touch down:

This is when the Connecticut State geology students noticed the tornado. 

The storm finally passed and we climbed up this cinder cone - which is deceptive in its height because you reach the top you see and there is a whole other level to climb beyond. Damn, we are out of shape!

But once you got to the top ...

Flowers growing in the cinder fields.

The underside of lava tubes where the solidified lava melted with the heat

Pahoehoe (pa-hoy-hoy) - lava that cools and forms ropes as it continues to be pushed forward

Spatter cones.