Hell Hole

Northeast of Oakridge, Oregon, the Forest Service has tried to keep Hell Hole a secret, but we found it. It was Fathers Day, Summer Solstice, 2009. It was raining. We had kids and a little dog with us, but we braved the mud and the cliffs and climbed down into it. The climb back out again was treacherous and exhausting, but we survived the ordeal.

Deer Butte

Pics from our hike on Deer Butte Trail on Saturday, June 20. Mt. Washington wilderness area.

Oregon June weather, the last day of Spring.

I don't know what did this, maybe a bear?

A close-up of the claw (or tooth?) marks. It was a little creepy up there, very high up in the Cascades--there was no sound at all, no cars, very few birds.

Sweet Creek Falls

Sweet Creek Falls are near Mapleton, Oregon. We went there a few weeks ago with our trusty Cairn Terrier. It is a nice pleasant walk. There are more little waterfalls along this trail than anywhere else I've been. It is an easy walk with many rewards for a little effort. Great for kids.

Sadly there was someone on the trail with an Akita off leash and uncontrolled. It went after our little Cairn, but he defended himself bravely and in the end, Sarah had to save him by picking him up, but the Akita wouldn't relent until it's lackadaisical owner finally saw fit to take her Akita by the collar and move on.

Our weekend trip to the Oregon Dunes south of Florence.