BOATING ADVENTURES

STEHEKIN WASHINGTON CAMPING IN OUR BOAT

What if you had an idea to camp in your 19 foot boat, drive 55 miles on Lake Chelan to reach your destination of Stehekin. Only way to get to Stehekin is by a Ferry, your personal boat or I guess swim. A very isolated but magical location well worth the journey.

Stehekin is located at the head of Lake Chelan, there are no roads connecting this tiny community of 75 permanent residents. A fifty mile scenic journey in which you can reach Stehekin only by foot, horseback, your own boat or by passenger ferry boat. We opted to use our own 19 foot boat and boated the fifty miles exploring the shoreline as we traveled. The panorama of stark steep mountains took your breath away. The beauty of this country left us speechless. It actually only took less than 3 hrs to reach our destination and well worth it. A fee of $5.00 a day to dock your boat was a good deal as we were also camping on our boat. Cheap Digs with a view to remember. Fortunately we brought our Blix foldable electric bikes to explore with. Bikes are available to rent or you can bring your own highly recommend for exploring.

First Stop :

The Stehekin Pastry Company and log cabins are located two miles up the Stehekin Valley Road from the boat landing where the Ferries let off passengers. The bakery was built in 1989 and has a homey rustic feel besides the aroma of home baked goods and killer coffee and espresso. Delicious Cinnamon rolls the size of a small dinner plate for $2.25, pastries, cookies, ice cream, I could go on and on. The selections are varied depending on the day you visit, we visited everyday for 6 days, need I say more. The bakery is very considerate of those with special dietary concerns ( low carb and gluten free) are also very delicious. Their from scratch soups, sandwiches and quiches are also delicious with people coming from a far just for the goodness. As we headed back towards the boat dock one more stop a mere mile from the bakery was mandatory. Karl’s Garden!!!

Second stop:

Another hidden gem called THE GARDEN. Owned and fully operated by KARL a BAREFOOTED ORGANIC GARDENER.

Karl is amazing with a fairyland entryway into his garden lined by gorgeous flowers as big as your hand. You immediately feel transformed to another land with the aromas of flowers, goats he raises for yogurt and cheese, to the bees buzzing everywhere which help with his honey harvest. OK lets start with the goats: He raises them for making the most incredible creamy Chevre cheese (plain or herbed) or homemade yogurt flavored with his incredible honey he harvests on site. He uses the goat poop to fertilize his gardens which appears to be on steroids. Everything is on steroids I think even the bees were bigger . His garden is seasonal with homemade cosmetics, holistic medicine to some of his own bakery goods. A bit about Karl, he owned a Organic bakery called the honey hole located in Wenatchee years ago. Get him talking and you can learn some fascinating garden and baking tips. We left with our bike bags overflowing with giant beets, kale, fresh honey, chevre and fresh made goat yogurt. I myself was in organic heaven, Jeff wasn’t to far behind..

Stay Tuned for part Two of our Stehekin Adventures CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND

NOTE: We visited Stehekin in early August 2019 beautiful time of year for perfect weather.

CRANE PRAIRIE CAMPGROUND – OREGON

Crane Prairie Reservoir is a man-made lake located about 42 miles southwest of Bend in Deschutes County, Oregon, United States. The reservoir is named for the cranes that thrive in its habitat and for the upper Deschutes River prairie that once covered the area before the dam on the Deschutes was constructed in 1922. One of the most scenic lakes in Central Oregon with amazing fishing and large open campsites.

Cons: Mosquitoes and tree stumps in the lake- good for boat repair shops, bad for your prop.

Crane Prairie is a great place to go if you are wanting to catch large fish, I caught a 22 inch trout myself and many more fish 18 inches and above. The locals call these giant fish cranebows, this year was a very good fishing year for us. We were lucky to reserve site 113 right on the water’s edge which enabled us to scoot are boat right up to the shore line, which saved us having to load it on its trailer everyday. The view from our campsite was poster perfect, with bird life abundant, eagles, asprey and hundreds of white pelicans. The campsite itself is dry camping with a rustic table and an even more rustic fire pit, but lots of room for 2 rigs, a boat trailer and a 25 ft RV. With clean restrooms near and a very nice fish cleaning station you are all set with all of the amenities you need. I especially noticed how quiet it was at night which made for a very relaxing camping experience.

Senior Pass price was $8.00 a night and we stayed a whole week.

Talk to the employees at the lodge as they will help you figure out where the fish are and what they are biting on at that particular time of the year of your visit. Very friendly and helpful staff and they know the fishing tricks for Crane Prairie and have a well stocked store for all of your camping and fishing needs.

CHEERS UNTIL OUR NEXT ADVENTURE JEFF AND LIZ

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CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK – CALIFORNIA

Our life goal is to visit as many National Parks as we can. National Parks draw you in with splendid beauty, history and protected wildlife. We chose Santa Cruz Island as the park rangers advised it had lots of hiking, animal life and spectacular cliff edge views.

Channel Islands National Park comprises 5 ecologically rich islands off the Southern California coast. Anacapa Island has trails to a 1932 lighthouse and clifftop Inspiration Point. Santa Cruz Island’s many sea caves include the vast Painted Cave. Santa Rosa Island features rare Torrey pines. Thousands of seals gather at San Miguel Island’s Point Bennett. Southernmost Santa Barbara Island draws nesting seabirds.

We began by pre purchasing our tickets the day before through Island Packers Cruises – 805-642-1393 – info@islandpackers.com. You are required to call for reservations and they fill up fast. Super friendly and very helpful people, from making reservations to boarding the boat. At $52.00 a person for round trip tickets it was a bargain, Highly recommend.

So the very early morning began our trip. Up at 5 am packed a lunch, snacks and water bottles for a full day. Water is available at several camping sites but no food, snacks or vending machines available. This is a very remote and protected island twelve miles from the mainland. The catamaran ride from Island Packers dock to the island was spectacular. Smooth sailing, lots of dolphins diving out of the water following our boat on either side. As we approached the island I felt like I was in a Jurassic Park movie. The dock was safe but rustic and no building in site just beautiful hills blooming wildflowers and the deepest green terrain I have ever witnessed. Just approaching the dock was breathtaking, wow what would the rest of the island be like.

We opted to join a 2 hour ranger walk to get a real feel of the island. Highly recommend as he directed us to trails and viewing of wild island foxes, explained the abundance of wild flowers and the protected island scrub jay, also where to view the world largest sea caves. After the tour we set out on our own following the trail map the ranger provided us. The trails were well marked and led to pristine beaches, views of rugged mountains, pure paradise. We decided to stop and have lunch on a cliff overlooking a sea lion rookery and sea caves. Hard to eat when the Ravens wouldn’t stop begging us for food, but rules are do not feed the animals, the birds just dont know the rules. As we continued our hike we periodically came upon small gray foxes as large as house cats and were not frightened by us all which gave us great photo opportunities. The island fox is only found on 6 of the 8 Channel Islands and found nowhere else on earth. They would walk up to you within feet without any fear and they are adorable.

No cell coverage allows for shear peacefulness of this island with only the sound of the rhythmic waves, salty breezes and over 2000 species of plants and animals made us want to stay for longer. We had a full day of hiking over 6 miles and it was now time to head back to the dock. What a wonderful day and we would definitely do this again, possibly a different island next time.

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CHEERS FROM JUST AROUND THE BEND

Grand Teton National Park

Words haven’t been designed to explain the beauty of the Tetons. We have traveled to a lot of amazing National Parks, for this one Jeff and Liz are finally out of words to describe.

We left Phillips Lake campground where if you remember we met up with are goods friends and camped. Jeff with his traveling brilliance came up with a great idea of since we were already halfway to The Grand Tetons, why not just head that way. Long story short we did just that and now here we are camping at Gros Ventre Campground – site B99, just spectacular. At $15.00 a night (golden age pass) we stayed for a glorious 13 days. Now this is dry camping, so our solar really came in handy as the nights got down into the high thirties. But the views from every angle were priceless. Gros Ventre is just yards from the Snake River and sometimes inches from Bull Moose. Gros Ventre Campground has over 300 first come, first serve sites with one loop of full hookup ,one for employees only, one tent only no generators and one group Loop. Always Remember National Parks have strict rules on pets so check regulations before you come. BE BEAR AWARE. Bring bear spray and carry it at all times. It is much cheaper to buy at home than in the Tetons.

So much to do, the pristine bike trails are a must and kayaking the many lakes as well as the Snake River will leave you with endless memories. A word to the wise..hit the lakes and trailheads early which means by 8 am.Those happy campers can clog a parking lot like a bird getting the early worm. You can find yourself parking on the road side where allowed and hiking an extra mile or more to the trailhead parking lot. Also the best photo opportunities of nature and wildlife are early. Moose and Bears are not much for luncheons. Our Bull Moose showed up at 5:30 am by our campground and left by 7:00 am for the river wilds.

If you get burnt out of nature things to do there is always the town of Jackson to explore.You can shop, eat and drink to your heats content. Jackson is very popular, traffic and parking are a challenge. We did find some great Bakeries, Ice cream and really enjoyed Snake River Brewery which had a lot of healthy choices of pub food which we found to be much better than our local Bend Oregon Breweries. The town also has numerous Art Galleries and Museums.

Until our next adventure – CHEERS from JUST AROUND THE BEND _ Jeff and Liz

  • Snake River

Union Creek Camp Ground Oregon 2018

      Every year we migrate to Union Creek Campground, it happens to be one our favorite peaceful RVing locations. This year we are being joined by our good friends Dave and Jen and Ross and Cheryl, fun times ahead with this group of friends.

      This year we decided to mix it up a little and ride The Historic Narrow-Gauge Sumpter Railroad. A six-mile round trip ride staffed by all volunteers and two fully restored original steam locomotives we were sure to have a great experience. Running on the reconstructed gold rush train tracks between McEwen and the historic mining town of Sumpter, its a guarantee that the whole family will enjoy this relaxing trip back in time. DON’T forget THE TRAIN ROBBERY BY THE GOLD RUSH BANDITS!! A historic shooting group with period firearms, costumes, all performed on horseback. This was a highlight of the train ride.

      Your round-trip ride begins at McEwen station to the rustic town of Sumpter. The train allows you to get off to tour the town and visit the

      historic dredge. For reservations call 541-894-2268,  

       sumptervalleyrailroad.org.

       

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      Now back to our camping experience, Union Creek Campground offers a wide range of amenities and activities. Boating and fishing is one of our favorites as catching fish is abundant. The water is a very comfortable degree which makes kayaking, paddle boarding and just plain old-fashioned swimming an enjoyable experience. A well-groomed 6.5 mile hiking trail traverses around the lake with numerous scenic views. The trail is one of several mountain bike and hiking trails that are found in the Phillips Lake Trail System.

      Campsites are very large, spaced well from each other and set in the pines. Includes water, electric, fire ring, BBQ, picnic tables, immaculate restrooms  with flushometer toilets. A Boat launch with bait shop is a nice amenities with the most helpful and friendly staff we have ever encountered they will even deliver worms and ice to your campsite. Golden Age passport rate was $13.00 a night, we love site B17 very private, flat with a scenic view of the lake.

       

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      Until our next destination CHEERS from Jeff and Liz

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      Sequim Bay State Park- Washington

      Sequim Bay State park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking through pristine forests, biking the Olympic Discovery Trail,  which runs right through the middle of the park, or go kayaking in the Bay. The park itself is well maintained with state of the art restrooms and token showers. Absolutely the cleanest grounds we have ever experienced and the staff and ranger so nice and helpfull. We chose site 83.

      Amenities : Firepit, picnic table, water available and a million dollar view of the bay. We paid $30.00 a night. Quiet, pristine, I rate this park a 8.

      Things To Do:

      We Geocached at John Wayne’s Marina. With breathtaking views we sat for sometime taking in the busy boat traffic and watching the crab fisherman bringing in their catches of the day.  Sequim is also known for the longest sandbar, a mere 5 1/2 mile walk one way-well maybe next time. Don’t forget the Lavender farms, there are many, Purple Haze Lavender Farm was our favorite and their lavender ice cream – Soooo good. There is also cute boutiques for fun shopping, bistros and good coffee shops. We also found  the best bakery ever ” Pane dAmore” with fresh bread made daily, their whole wheat sourdough bread is amazing. I am sure I am forgetting lots of things to do, but if you visit Sequim this will give you a good start.

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      See You On The Road Cheers From Just Around The Bend♥♥♥♥

      Dillon Falls Oregon Kayaking Adventure

      Today we are  kayaking with our friends Dave, Jen and their cool dog Mocha from Enterprise, Oregon. One of our favorite kayak floats is a scenic and relaxing stretch of the Deschutes River just below Dillon Falls.  With 78 degree weather , a swift cold current and wildlife abundant you could not ask for a more perfect kayaking day.

      Mocha
      Dave and Jen

      Directions:

      From Bend, OR: Travel 7.9 miles west on Cascade Lakes Highway (46), then 2.6 miles south on Forest Road 41. At this junction there are signs to direct you to Dillon Falls and to a decent boat ramp. Day use pass is required.

      Dave, Jen and Mocha
      Just Beautiful
      Nu Canoe adventures

      We splashed our kayaks into the cold water and headed upriver towards Dillon Falls. The current was strong and we had to work at rowing hard and staying in unison, but as we approached the falls maybe a mere 1 mile paddle it was worth it.  The Roar of Dillon Falls one of the mightiest Falls along the Deschutes River can be heard well before one sees it. Strange on this perfect fall day we were the only paddlers on this stretch of the Deschutes River.

      A very popular area for Anglers, just ask Dave, he has caught many German Browns in this stretch of the water. Believe me he knows where the fish are hiding, with catch and release his style, he stays true to the environment.

      Dave
      Can you see the fish
      Riding the rapids
      Beautiful
      Dillon Falls
      Watching an Eagle

      A LITTLE HISTORY:

      The Falls named for Leander Dillon, who came with his family from Chico California in 1885 established a Homestead along the river, where he raised stock. Dylan later lost his  land when his claim was denied. He moved to Prineville in 1890.

      Cheers Until Our Next Adventure From Just Around The Bend

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      Join us as we explore Whidbey Island in Washington State and stay at our first Harvest Host Destination – stay tuned♥♥♥

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      UNION CREEK CAMPGROUND, OR

      We love this campground, with this being our third return visit. Beautiful, Quiet and well maintained, with the most helpful camp  hosts we have yet encountered. The camp hosts deliver ice and even fishing worms to your camp site on golf carts. Ha, too funny, but we loved it. Our favorite site is # B17, a large very private site overlooking Phillips Lake.

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      This year we were very fortunate to be able to meet our good friends Dave and Jen from Enterprise, Oregon. We kayaked, BBQed and drank a lot of homemade Kombucha together and just caught up on our lives and what adventure and great fun awaits us. Planning on making this an annual camping experience with our great friends, oh and Mocha!

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      Facilities

      The parking spurs are paved and gravel and large enough for any size RV. Several sites offer full hookups,and some others offer water and electric.

      Units are equipped with picnic tables and grills. Drinking water and very clean restrooms with yes flush toilets are available. Some of the facilities are handicap-accessible. Upon leaving is a very modern and free dump station, very important.

      This camp is part of the Union Creek Recreation Area, which includes a picnic and day-use area. Union Creek Campground is set on three loops with separate walk-in tent camping, and it has four group sites that can accommodate from 60-100 people.

      Natural Features:

      Phillips Reservoir is a popular destination within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest because it offers scenic views of the surrounding Elkhorn Mountains. The shoreline is forested with a mix of Ponderosa pine and various firs interspersed with small grasslands.

      Visitors enjoy several varieties of colorful wildflowers in the spring.

      Recreation:

      The campground is near a boat launch and a small, rocky swim beach. Activities include swimming, fishing, boating and water skiing.

      Anglers can fish for bass, trout and perch. There’s an access point for the Phillips Lake Shoreline Trail, a 6.5-mile scenic trail for hiking and mountain biking.

      Nearby Attractions:

      The historic gold mining town of Sumpter is about 10 miles away. Visitors can explore the Sumpter Dredge State Heritage Park, browse the holiday weekend flea markets or take a ride on a historic steam locomotive.

      Overview

      The Union Creek Campground is one of the largest Forest Service campgrounds in eastern Oregon. It’s nestled on the northern shore of Phillips Reservoir amid mature Ponderosa pine, with a few sites offering views of the lake.

      Activities and Amenities

      Within Facility
      • Accessible Boat Ramp
      • Accessible Flush Toilets
      • Accessible Swimming
      • Beach Access
      • Birding
      • Boat Ramp
      • Boat Trailer Parking
      • Boating
      • Canoeing
      • Concessions
      • Drinking Water
      • Dump Station
      • Firewood
      • Fish Cleaning Stations
      • Fishing
      • Flush Toilets
      • General Store
      • Grills
      • Group Camping
      • Hiking
      • Host
      • Lake Access
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paved Parking Spurs
      • Paved Roads
      • Picnic Area
      • Restaurant
      • Security Lights
      • Self Pay Station
      • Swimming
      • Getting There:
      GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
      44.69694, -118.01861
      44°41’49″N, 118°1’7″WFrom Baker City, Oregon, travel south on Highway 7 for about 18 miles. The campground and day-use entrance is signed on the left side of the road. Follow the signs in the Union Creek Recreation Area down to the various campground loops and areas.

      Contact Information:

      Recreation.gov for reservations

      Phone Number: 1-877-444-6777

      Getting Ready To paddle
      Paddle Boarding
      Our Camp at North Twin Lake

      Cheers from Just Around The Bend♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
      PLEASE JOIN US ON OUR NEXT ADVENTURE AT CLIFFSIDE RV PARK WHIDBEY ISLAND

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      Body Glove Performer Paddle Board

      What do 66 year old retired people do in Bend, Oregon? Yes!!! that is correct we  play hard and buy paddle boards. Ok mom I hope you never read this. Our first plan is to get in shape with the Body Glove Performer 11′ Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board.
      The Body Glove ISUP (Inflatable Stand-up Paddleboard) PERFORMER is a multipurpose design for families, fitness activities, fishing and on water yoga. The Performer is designed for incredible stability and durability while also exhibiting an industry leading performance shape from paddling professional Luke Hopkins. He designed this board to be the ultimate board for family fun, fitness, and on water adventures.

      The ISUP is made from incredibly durable puncture resistant heavy duty PVC and can support over 320 pounds. This allows for an adult to paddleboard with a child (children) on board. The traction deck pad is made from EVA foam and provides a soft yet grippy feel, perfect for children or as a platform for yoga. The bungee tie down area is perfect for securing gear from fishing tackle to a cooler.

      This ISUP package is easily portable, and includes many convenient accessories. When you are ready to hit the water, the high-pressure hand-pump can be used to fully inflate the board in as little as 5 minutes. When it is time to pack up, the board can be quickly deflated and will fit into the included backpack. The 3-Piece travel paddle allows increased portability and ease of use. Including accessories and the board, the backpack only weighs 32 lbs.

      COSTCOS PRICE WITH FREE SHIPPING IS $479.99

      Accessories include:

      Lightweight 3 piece travel paddle
      High pressure pump that can switch from single action to dual action
      Leg coil/leash
      Repair kit
      Cell phone dry bag
      Specifications:

      Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board:

      Length: 11 ft.
      Width: 34 in.
      Thickness: 6 in.
      Nose Rocker: 4.5 in.
      Tail Rocker: 0 in.
      Board Weight: 24 lbs.

      Paddle:

      Length: 70 in. – 85 in. (Adjustable)
      Weight: 29 oz.
      Design: 3 Piece
      Shaft: Aircraft Grade Aluminum
      Blade: Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon

       

      More Paddle Boarding

      PERSONAL NOTE: Very stable, easy to carry and glides through the water very nicely, with easy effort. We also love the way the board deflates and packs away for easy storage, highly recommend. We rate the body glove inflatable board a 10 with no reservations.

      Until our next adventure, stay tuned and Cheers from Just Around The Bend ♥♥♥♥

      NOTE: We have not been contacted by body glove or Costco.

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      Twin Lakes Resort RV Park

      The Twin Lakes Resort RV Park sits adjacent to the Deschutes Channel into Wickiup and across the street from the Resort general store, restaurant, and cabins. All sites come with 30 amp electrical hook-ups, water, and sewer. Take a short stroll down to the channel shores for sandy beaches and amazing views. They also have real restrooms and showers available for RV Park guest use.

      Twin Lakes Resort Restaurant

      Nothing beats the lakeside dining experience at Twin Lakes Resort!  Join them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Wednesday through Sunday from opening day through Labor Day weekend.  They offer a full menu for dining in or take out service, with a wonderful selection of beer and wine.  Make sure to check back for daily specials, but you can count on their famous Slow Smoked Prime Rib dinner every Saturday evening.  Don’t miss  Sunday brunch as well.

      Coffee! Oh yes Java Hut, located in the main parking lot. It’s worth stopping by for a Wickiup Wakeup or delicious espresso drinks, smoothies, milkshakes, and sno cones.

      Restaurant Hours:

      Wednesday through Sunday: 8am – 8pm
      Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for our Lakeside Patio Cookout

      Java Hut Hours:

      Open Thursday through Sunday: 8am – 2pm

       

      FISHING NEWS:

      Fishing is open all year round at South and North Twin Lake and April 22nd for Wickiup!

      General Store

      The Twin Lakes General Store has most everything you’ll need for your stay at the resort.

      Single day fishing licenses and live bait.
      Large selection of fishing accessories.
      Oil and other small items for your boat.
      Souvenir t-shirts, sweatshirts and gifts.
      Grocery and pharmaceutical items.
      Snacks, drinks and  ice cream Jeff’s favorite food!!!
      Beer and wine
      Crushed and block ice, fire wood
      Most things forgotten when camping!
      They also have both unleaded gasoline and propane available for purchase

      Java Hut
      I Love Bears
      Dining
      Patio
      View from restaurant
      Store

       

      We reserved RV Site 9 and definitely will  return again. Nestled in a waterfront,  back-in site approximately 65 ft long, with 30 amp electrical service, water, and sewer hookups. Two picnic tables and a nice over sized fire pit. The featured picture is a view from the kitchen window from our RV.

      The Twin Lakes RV Park is located on the shore of the Deschutes Channel leading into Wickiup Reservoir, and each site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Check-in is at 1:00pm, and check-out is at 11:00am.
      Price includes one RV, one vehicle, and no more than 2 pets that must be on-leash at all times. Each additional vehicle is $5 per night, parking tags available at the Twin Lakes Store. They do not allow tent camping, however you may set up a tent in addition to your RV and there is a $10 fee per tent per night and a limit of 2 tents per site. We paid $32.00 a night, in addition to a  8% Deschutes County lodging tax and 1% Oregon lodging tax.

      Deer everywhere
      View from camp
      Sunset
      Me
      Our Camp at North Twin Lake
      Exploring the lake
      Nu Canoe adventures

      We had great fun boating, paddle boarding, fishing and swimming. The water was incredibly warm and felt so good on a 90 degree day. We even found 4 geocaches by walking around South Twin lake which is a  very picturesque and enjoyable one mile walk . We will be back.

      Cheers From Just Around The Bend ♥♥♥♥♥

      PS: Our next Adventure takes us to Union Creek Campground located on Phillips Lake just out of Sumpter Eastern Oregon.

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