A stop along the way, Sheridan, Wyoming had a few hidden treasures. One was the Kendrick Estate, turned museum at Trails End. A successful rancher built this home in the early 1900's and moved his family in 1913 from the ranch to this formidable estate and arboretum containing every tree known to Wyoming. The pic of the walkway is littered with cotton from the cottonwood trees. It was noteworthy that the rooms and furnishings were identical to the pictures taken at the time the family lived there.
​The other gem was to discover the statues all along the N. Main Street of Sheridan. All different artists, some for sale and some donated.

We are camped about 25 minutes from the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park at Redrock RV Park. Day 1 we went to see Old Faithful erupt and walk around different geysers and hot springs. We stopped to take some pictures of bison (numerous along the way), visited Midway Geyser Basin and Grand Prismatic Springs and Fountain Paint Pots. Soo cool!

 On the second day at Yellowstone, we joined our friends, Melanie and Bill Hill and drove from the West entrance up to Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Gardiner and the third day to Canyon Village, Yellowstone's Grand Canyon, Mount Washburn, Tower Falls and Hayden Valley to the Mud Volcano. 

Day 4 in Yellowstone, we went to Lamar Valley and saw more wildlife than anywhere else. We saw herds of Bison(Buffalo), Bears, Elk, Deer, Badger, and Osprey. Something about seeing them in their home (not ours).

  Our campgrounds, Redrock RV and Yellowstone Edge had great views and a moose (Redrock) in the field. We had a wonderful meal at Bullwinkles at West Yellowstone with Mel and Bill.

Leaving Pendleton, Oregon; we ventured through Cabbage Hill with steep grades. We entered Idaho, where we spent time in both Caldwell/Boise and American Falls/Pocatella. There we visited the WWII Warhawk Air Museum, quilting show, Old Town Pocatella and stops along the old Oregon Trail. We stayed at Indian Springs Resort and RV Park where the large pool is kept at 90 degrees and the area farming and windmills create an expansive and beautiful views. On the Oregon Trail, we visited Massacre Rocks and the Registry Rock; where many of the travelling families etched in the rocks as they made their way through the area.

The drive from Salem to Pendleton was a beautiful scenic drive along the Columbia River from Mt. Hood to desert grasslands with many ranches/cattle farms. Pendleton KOA, where we stayed this week, is on top of the hills next to the Umatilla Indian Reservation. The area is steeped in Indian history and culture. We visited the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, Pendleton Mills, Pendleton Underground tours, and downtown (original Rainbow Café built in 1865). Pendleton is known mostly for its Roundup which is the largest Rodeo/Cultural event west of the Mississippi and occurs annually in September. It is where both Indian and American cultures meet amicably and share the spotlight with riding and roundup skills and pageantry.

Another post will detail the Pendleton Underground Tour as there is more to explain.

While in Pendleton, Oregon, we went on the Underground Tour to find out why Pendleton was known as the entertainment capital of Eastern Oregon. We toured tunnels under the Empire block which were lit by prism glass embedded in the sidewalks above. The tour included the Card Rooms of high stakes and Prohibition times, Hop Sing's Chinese Laundry, the ice cream parlor and meat market as well as Duck Pin Bowling and up stairs to the "Cozy Rooms" of Pendleton's bordellos of the late 1800's to mid 1900's. 

We travelled from Crater Lake RV park to Hee Hee Illahee, Salem Oregon. Salem is the Capital of Oregon and a charming City. We enjoyed touring the Capital, the City Park along the river with a hand carved Carousel, child's playground, a World Globe, bridge, walking paths and River paddle boat. We were in time for the Tulip Festival in Woodburn nearby which transformed into a Dutch wonderland with the mountains in the background.

I would be amiss if I didn't mention what a lovely Easter we spent at Crate Lake RV Park in Prospect, Oregon. The owner, Pam and Camp Hosts, in particular - Kathy and Teri made our first holiday without our family; all about family. The RV Park is run as a family and include guests warmly. Pam and Camp Hosts put on an Easter dinner to rival any home holiday dinner, complete with bunny cake thanks to Linda. We enjoyed the company of eleven others and delicious food. We wish the camp and company wasn't on the opposite coast of what we consider home as we would be visiting there often.

We are staying in Crater Lake RV Park, in Prospect, Oregon. There are many waterfalls in the area which are spectacular. Short rides/hikes on surrounding trails revealed Roque Gorge, Gorge Lookout over bridge, Avenue of Giant Boulders, Mill Creek Falls, Barr Creek Falls and Pearsony Falls. At the Gorge, the water volume is noted to be able to fill an Olympic size pool every minute and the water is so clear at the Falls, you can see clear to the bottom.

As we travelled North from Antlers RV, CA we passed many of the burned areas so I have included a few pictures. Much equipment and workers continue to work to make the area safe again. Mount Shasta can be seen even from Oregon as we entered the State. Friday, a perfectly clear day with temps in the valley of 80 degrees, was great to venture to Crater Lake. The incredible blue of the Lake is indeed its pristine water and a result of it being filled only from snow melt as no rivers, streams, etc. feed the Lake. It is the deepest Lake in the US at 1,943 feet and was formed 7,700 years ago when the volcano of Mazama (thought to have been some 12,000 ft) collapsed on itself after a major eruption.

We headed North after leaving San Francisco and stayed at Antlers RV Park and Marina in the Shasta Trinity National Forests. This area was the first and model for others as a National Recreational Area. The RV Park and areas are near where the fires in Paradise occurred and hard hit with debris and downed trees from the winter. The staff was still working hard to clear everything in time for the busier season beginning May 1. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, having a campfire at night, and hiking around the Lake and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, Lassen Volcanic National Park was still inaccessible due to snow and winter conditions.

Manzanita trees are protected in California and are common in the Pacific Northwest especially where there have been areas of burned landscape. Their seeds can remain dormant for many years and are activated when areas become burned. They were a favorite of the native Indians. Their smooth orange/reddish bark and teardrop (nector tasting) buds are pretty in the Spring. (see above).  Shasta Lake and surrounding areas below.