Oregon - 2025

 100525 - 101025 

We parted ways on Sunday, John, Todd & Kate headed home and I took off for 

Fort Stevens Oregon on
the Columbia River. I was only able to get an RV site for Sunday night, there was nothing available the rest of the week. This was one of the biggest campground I have ever been to, but the campsites were individual, not like a RV parking lot. I got in after dark, but I did get a walk early in the morning. There was a lot of free ranging Elk, like everywhere! According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, over the last 30 years, the elk population along Oregon’s northern coast has ballooned. It seem that Elk have figured out where man cannot hunt. The areas where hunting is allowed, do not have a problem with the Elk population.  

I didn't have much time to explore the Columbia river area, so I have added this area to my list to return to. Staying off the interstate was pretty easy in Oregon, I only drove a few miles of I5 on my way to Bend Oregon and the Deschutes National Forest. 

I made it to USFS Prairie Campground before dark, so I was able to get a nice walk in and geocache. There was a cache on 250' from campsite #9, but I had to balance a log to get across the natural creek running next to the campground.  There was only one other camper, I'm pretty sure they are the host. Maybe because it was a Monday? Or, maybe it was because they have already shut off the water in the park for the winter and at 7am it was 39°F inside the van and 22°F outside! 

I am used to living without a schedule, I mean I try to schedule, but I like to keep things flexible. After a cold night at #9 Prairie campground, I proceed up the highway to visit a place Todd told me about, the Big Obsidian Flow Trailhead and Interpretive Site part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.  The trail takes you up the side of the lava flow and through massive blocks of obsidian. I completed the Earth Cache but had no cell service to upload. So I left the Big Flow parking lot and headed into the an adjacent campground to set up my Starlink to get online. Plus there was quit a few geocaches near the Little Crater Campground.  

I drove through the campground, along Paulina Lake. looking for a place to park. I found a beautiful spot right on the lake, so I decided to stay.  

I paid my 1/2 price fee and took off to find some geocaching. There was a wonderful loop trail up to the top of the side of the little crater. I found 8 cool geocaches and took in the awesome views of the lake and of the lava flow on the other side. 

I had a wonderful van life evening, salad and patty melt for dinner and I watched the game 3 ALCS.  Definitely a Win. One of the best overnights I've had in the van. 

Okay off to Nevada then home. Thanks for stopping by, here is my shared album 👀 Oregon OCT25 👀