Potholes State Park, Washington, Day 1

We have a cabin/yurt booked for a camping trip to Potholes State Park.

We will be yurt camping for three nights.

We are going as a group; with Mick, April, Karen and I.

Sightseeing, fishing, family meals, walks, campfire fun, reading, exploring ...

We will return home in Thursday.

Potholes State Park, Eastern Central Washington State

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge - Wikipedia

"Birdsong by day, coyote chorus by night. Dramatic cliffs and rimrock sit side-by-side with lakes, potholes, and marshes. Desert denizens and waterfowl sharing the same rugged landscape.

Comprising nearly 30,000 acres, Columbia National Wildlife Refuge is a scenic mixture of rugged cliffs, canyons, lakes, grasslands and sagebrush. The combination of lakes and surrounding irrigated croplands, combined with generally mild winters and the protection provided by the refuge, attracts large numbers of migrating and wintering mallards, Canada geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl."

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge is a scenic mixture of rugged cliffs, canyons, lakes, and sagebrush grasslands. Formed by fire, ice, floods, and volcanic tempest, carved by periods of extreme violence of natural forces, the refuge lies in the middle of the Drumheller Channeled Scablands of central Washington. The area reveals a rich geologic history highlighted by periods of dramatic activity, each playing a major role in shaping the land. The northern half of the refuge, south of Potholes Reservoir, is a rugged jumble of cliffs, canyons, lakes, and remnants of lava flows. This part of the Scablands, known as the Drumheller Channels, is the most spectacularly eroded area of its size in the world and was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1986.

Moses Lake City, Washington, (27,000 Population)

Othello, Washington

Photos from the Internet

Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon

 Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon  Day 2

The wood on the Bighorn Cabin was very beautiful. The Cabin was spacious, clean, with six beds, 2 heaters, air conditioner, table and chairs, refrigerator, lights.  It was very quiet.  There was a walk from the parking lot downhill to the cabins, that required numerous carrying trips with carts.  

We explored backroads off Oregon Roads 97, 206, and 19. Drove through Condon and Wasco.
Drove the black gravel Devil's Butte Road to Makkalo. Walked to the John Day River at Burris boat launch. Walked around Cottonwood Canyon.  Sat and stared at the huge Basalt Pyramid. Enjoyed a delicious salmon dinner.

Eastern High Rolling Hills, wheat growing area, hundreds of wind turbines, south of the Columbia River.

Here are some Cottonwood Canyon photographs that I took on this trip:

Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon

Cottonwood Canyon State Park, Oregon  Day 1

From the Biggs Junction on Interstate 84, drive about 15 miles south on Oregon 97 to the town of Wasco, then drive on Oregon Road 206 for about 20 miles to the entrance to Cottonwood Canyon State Park along the John Day River.

Eastern High Rolling Hills, wheat growing area, hundreds of wind turbines, south of the Columbia River.

Michael Delmer (my son) and I took a 3 day trip to Cottonwood Canyon.

On our first day we drove from Vancouver to Hood River. We ate a Scandinavian style breakfast at an old hotel in Hood River.  Then we toured an abandoned water power electrical plant in Hood River area. Then headed southwest to the White River Falls. Then we camped at the Bighorn Cabin today at Cottonwood Canyon.

Here are some Cottonwood Canyon photographs available on the Internet: