Attractions and other places we visit.
We visited Mount Rainier National Park in Washington.
The entrance arch:
Entrance ranger station:
Park buildings, with a glimpse of the mountain:
Ancient log:
Museum:
Picnic lunch:
Waterfall:
Mt Rainier:
River and trees:
Top of a waterfall:
Paradise visitor center:
Flowers:
While staying near Mount Hood, we of course had to visit Trillium Lake for its great view of the mountain.
A view of the mountain on the way:
Trillium Lake and Mount Hood from the dam area:
We had a picnic dinner:
Then enjoyed views of the mountain over the lake:
This may look a little familiar: it’s the view on the Magne Shade on our coach windscreen (except during daytime):
More pics:
Ducklings:
Lots of people enjoying the lake:
After Astoria, we visited Fort Clatsop, part of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park:
The visitor center:
Jenn at the passport cancellation station:
Photo spot:
Info sign:
A replica of Fort Clatsop one can explore:
Trail:
A ranger talk on water:
216 years ago today:
We took a day trip to the Oregon coast.
We had planned to go to Mo’s in Seaside for lunch, but they were too busy, so we continued up the coast.
Some pics of Seaside:
Astoria:
We ended up going to Bridgewater Bistro, which we had fond memories of from staying in Astoria for our anniversary in 2008:
The restaurant is on the pier, and has a cute window in the floor showing the water below (and a skeleton on a rope ladder):
We had a tasty breakfast for a late lunch:
After that, we drove over the Astoria–Megler Bridge between Oregon and Washington; a 4 mile long bridge across the Columbia River:
And back again:
Cannery Pier Hotel:
We visited Silver Falls State Park near Salem, Oregon, and hiked to South Falls and Lower South Falls.
But first, a picnic lunch:
South Falls Historic District:
Top of South Falls:
A switchback path:
Falls selfie:
South Falls; yes, those are people; there is a path behind the falls:
GIF:
Low ceiling:
Behind the falls:
We used our hiking poles, since there were steep portions; not essential, but they do help:
Mossy trees:
Exposed tree roots:
Steps:
Lower South Falls:
Steep switchback path:
Mossy trees:
An historic shelter that is being restored:
Gift store:
Cafe:
We did a couple of hikes in Newberry National Volcanic Monument.
The visitor center:
Relief map:
A short one-mile hike through the lava field behind the visitor center, “Trail of the Molten Land”:
A picnic lunch:
Sign:
Another short hike down to Paulina Falls:
Paulina lake:
Paulina visitor center:
Relief map:
Sign:
We visited Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.
Crater Lake is Oregon’s only national park. We’ve been there a few times before, and no doubt will be back many times.
If you haven’t been to Crater Lake, you haven’t experienced the color blue.
One thing we haven’t yet done is drive all the way around the lake. The East Rim Drive is closed most of the year; it only opens late in summer, it feels like only for a few weeks, though is probably longer. One day we’ll make it at the right time!
Here’s a map showing the open and closed portions:
Crater Lake sign:
Road:
Snow:
Crater Lake:
Picnic:
Boat:
Road closed:
Snow:
Crater Lake:
Crater Lake:
Crater Lake:
Crater Lake:
Crater Lake:
Crater Lake:
Visitor center:
Store:
Relief map:
Crater Lake Lodge, currently being renovated:
Squirrel:
Crater Lake:
We visited John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Oregon. It consists of three units; we visited the Sheep Rock Unit and the Painted Hills Unit:
Viewpoint:
Picture Gorge:
Sign:
Picture Gorge:
Peak:
Who was John Day? Just a naked guy who never went there:
Visitor center:
A peek into a lab:
James Cant Ranch. Maybe he should have given up, then:
Picnic lunch:
On the way to the Painted Hills Unit:
Painted hills:
We did a day trip drive along the Utah Alpine Loop scenic drive, to the Timpanogos Cave National Monument visitor center, through the outskirts of Salt Lake City, and to Bridal Veil Falls.
Here’s an embedded map of the route, as an experiment (alternative link):
Alpine Loop scenic drive:
We stopped at the Timpanogos Cave National Monument visitor center, since it was on the way. We didn’t go to the actual cave, since (a) it requires reservations, (b) it requires a fairly long hike to reach it, and (c) it requires having never been in a cave before:
We stopped at The Holy Grill for lunch, a BBQ restaurant:
And a stop at Eddie Bauer to return some clothing:
Mountains:
We visited Great Salt Lake in Utah.
The visitor center:
Brine shrimp in the visitor center:
Info sign:
Olympics 2002:
Great Salt Lake:
It was a little breezy:
Next to the lake is a copper smelter:
Also by the lake is the historic Saltair:
We then drove through downtown Salt Lake City on the way back:
