Part One:
I’m not a writer, I’m a just a girl who loves to camp and explore new places……these are my experiences.
As my plans to camp in Oregon and Washington started to take shape, I decided to add in Idaho since I would be just south of to Spokane. Idaho was roughly an hour from Spokane so it seemed like a good addition since I was “in the area”. Once those plans took shape, they changed again, adding in Montana. Now I would be camping in fours states, this was going to be the biggest trip that Camp50 has taken so far.
Plane tickets were purchased, car rental was in place and most of my plans seemed to be finalized (at least for the moment), now it was just a waiting game before departing BOSTON. I was so excited to be heading back to the Pacific NorthWest, of course, part of me felt a great sadness knowing there wouldn’t be enough time to visit The North Cascades or even spend a day in Seattle “SIGH”!!! I’ll be back soon “I Promised myself”.
The plan was to spend the weekend with family in Portland, then head out for six days of camping and check four states off my Camp50 list, then back with the family for Labor Day weekend before heading back home to Boston.
Family time/Sunday: Short 1 mile hike with my niece, nephew and their two boys, Derek 2 years old and Henry 4 months. My nephew thought I’d like Cascade Head trail near Lincoln City. Of course I would like it since I love the word Cascade anything. The trail went through mossy trees and opened out to a big open field overlooking the Pacific Ocean….. We took some pictures, made PB&J sandwiches, enjoyed the view and time together, then headed down for our next adventure.
Monday: It was now time for me to leave the family and head out for some camping…..oddly, I started sneezing when I woke up but, hey I was going to camping so I’d have to shake it off. I was heading East to Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, Oregon. I always try to reserve my first night of camping when I’m not in a familiar area, I can figure things out for the rest of the trip but, the first night needs to be in place and it was. I picked Wallowa Lake State Park, Joseph, Oregon. My travels took me along the Columbia River which is always a nice ride.
I finally made it Wallowa Lake State Park Campground just before sunset. No time to explore or take photo, just enough time to set up my tent and have something to eat. At this point, the sneezing had turned to a full blown allergy event of some kind. I had to take allergy medicine early in the day and I was tired from all my traveling, so after I ate and brushed my teeth, I didn’t have any trouble slipping into my sleeping bag and falling asleep. Uneventful night and of course, I woke up like I normally do, just before sunrise. I quietly packed up my gear, took a shower and headed out. I was definitely sick YUCK!!!! but, I kept to my plans. Washington here I come.
Range of Light ~ Wallowa Lake State Park
Tuesday: This was the day that I had been really looking forward to. I was going to have my first Twitter meet-up, I was going to meet Roy and camp on his farm…… Spoke to Roy for the first time when I left Wallowa Lake State Park, he gave me directions, told me what his day was going to be like since he was right in the middle of harvesting the fields but, he welcomed me to his home. Restored my faith in the kindness of people……you’re a good man Roy, I will never forget your kindness. I arrived sick as a dog, but still looking to explore the Palouse area. Part of me just wanted to go to sleep but, neither Roy or his wife were home yet so, I took some photos near the farm and waited for them to get home. We talked a bit, had dinner, talked a little more and then called it a night. When I woke up the next morning…..I really thought I was going to die, I was now having wheezing and I knew it was time to see a doctor. Roy offered me a zero day (his words) so I could rest but, I needed to keep going, I was within a five hour ride of Glacier National Park. Montana, a place I’ve dreamt about since I was a teenager…. and since Dreams do come true!!! I had to keep moving.
There’s still so much to tell about this Camp50 adventure but, I’ll stop here for now. Part Two coming soon. Thank you to those who are following along as I attempt my solo bid to camp all 50 states before the end of my 50th birthday. Happy Trails!!