Emigrant Springs SP, OR - Aug 2006

Because of all the fires in Idaho and Oregon, we decided to alter our travel plans for a few days and rather than going due west towards our ultimate destination of Diamond Lake, Oregon we opted to head north in hopes of finding cooler temps and fewer fires. We had a goal of spending Labor Day weekend along the Columbia River and we got as far as Emigrant Springs State Park in the Blue Mountains of Oregon, before we changed plans again.

We spent two nights here while we tried to make up our minds where to head next. At the elevation of 4,400', the days were cool and we were far enough away from the fires to not have smoke in the air, so it was a good place to plant for a couple of days. The campground was ok -- it was small and the sites were very close together and the park was situation right next to the interstate so traffic noise was a big irritant, but it was shaded by tall pines and had a couple of nice trails around the park.

We stayed two nights because we wanted to go into the town of Pendleton and see the sights. This was the view of Pendleton from an overlook on top of the mountains. The scenery made a dramatic change -- from pine forests to wheat covered plains. We'd hoped to tour the Pendleton Woolen Mills factory, but it was closed on the weekend. Instead we took the Underground City tour and it was interesting.