The Bend in the Road

Heading west through Kansas was not the most interesting travel we have done, but it led us to the northeast corner of Colorado. We quickly passed through Colorado and vowed to come back for a more lengthy visit. Here is why....

The entrance to our campground outside Loveland.

Just a stop along the highway.

We drove through Wyoming, again with a vow to return and overnighted in Fruitland, ID. 

By the way, we did go back to Colorado, Wyoming and even Idaho.

Our destination was Oregon. We had only visited Portland, which we loved, but wanted to visit Bend and then the coast. From Idaho, we drove into Bend that turned out to be a pretty busy tourist town. The town was like many others we have visited, but Bend is only a few miles from Newberry National Volcanic Monument. The topography in this part of the U.S. is amazing.  In November of 1990, Newberry National Volcanic Monument was created within the boundaries of Deschutes National Forest. The monument is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and gives access to lava lands unique to this part of the West. Newberry National Volcanic National Monument includes 54,000+ acres of lakes, lava flows, and amazing geologic features in central Oregon. The highest point within the Monument is the summit Paulina Peak (7,985 ft.) with clear views of the Cascades, Newberry Caldera and across the High Desert. The volcano crater stretches across 17 square miles in the heart of the volcano. The 1,200 square mile volcano (about the size of Rhode Island) remains very active to this day. 

We took a bus to the top of Lava Butte and got some great photos. The black on the ground is volcanic rock where after thousands of years, nothing really grows. Obviously, the aerial photo isn't mine but it will give you an idea of the size of the crater.

We hiked into one part of the forest for a view of a beautiful and isolated series of rapids. Long walk but worth the effort.

Our last stop in the forest was a drive up to the top of the mountain overlooking Twin Lakes. Without question, this was one of the most harrowing drives we have done. It is impossible in an RV but was simply no fun even in the car. Because of the heavy snow, moguls pound the shocks for the first mile or so. Then it is a narrow, 1-1/2 lane road with hair pin turns for the next 7 or 8 miles. Once at the top, the view was beautiful, but I was no happier driving down then I had been driving up. 

Our next stop and next blog is the Oregon coast.