We spent a good deal of the week getting the yard back in shape. Planted some stuff, or should I say replanted, trees, shrubs, and flowers to fill in empty spaces.
We also hung a sunscreen on the pergola just in time for 80 degree days.
It wasn’t all soil and shovels, we did manage to make a trip to the Upper Deschutes River.
During Memorial Day weekend, campgrounds along the Crooked River get full. Folks tend to stick around into the week, so to avoid crowds we head for a different stretch of water.
Winter’s runoff has filled the lakes and reservoirs, but there is no snow left on the ground.
Headwaters to the Deschutes River, from Little Lava Lake to Crane Prairie, is a favorite little stream.
There are a few miles where the Upper Deschutes meanders through pine forests, meadows and marsh lands dumping into Crane Prairie.
Cascade Lakes Highway parallels the stream offering numerous pull-outs and great picnic sites. Bonus, it’s only half an hour’s drive.
The downside this time of year is mosquito clouds.
These pests get thick in early summer and this year it’s been particularly bad. Likely due to additional water standing in all the low land between the chain of lakes.
What little skin is exposed gets doused in a generous layer of bug spray. This practice makes it tolerable to hike along the river bank. It will be a week or two before the bug population makes picnicking even a possibility.
The weatherman forecasts more summer-like weather for the high desert in the coming weeks. Yeah, summer is in full swing and we’ve got a long list of places to check out.
I think rockhounding is on the top of the list, before we lose the chill of a June morning.
The Salmon Flies are on the Lower Deschutes. The Crooked and John Day rivers are very fishable as well. No shortage of places to go or things to do.
Fun times ahead!