The Oregon Wallowas Part I –> Deep Doo-Doo
It’s so very hard to start writing about a place that’s been on your mind for years. I felt the same way when we went to the Painted Hills last year and to the Columbia River Gorge the year before. These are places you dream about and yearn for, hoping that they won’t disappoint you after you’ve idolized them for so long, yet also hoping (in some twisted way) that they do, since it’s always easier to find the words when things are mediocre. You can only say “amazing” so many times, you know.
So here I am in this most difficult in-between place. We’ve arrived at the Wallowas, the high mountains of NE Oregon, the Yosemite of the north, the Little Switzerland of the Pacific Northwest and darn it, it’s everything I imagined and more. The deep blue lake before me is calm and placid, reflecting the high, white-tipped mountains behind it. Wildflowers dot the hills around me providing splashes of playful color on the landscape. Moraines formed by the action of Pleistocene glaciers many thousands of years ago rise like great green domes to each side, swaying with bright, green Spring grass. We drove through the most charming of little towns to get here, a place I already sense will win my heart, and there’s so much to do I’ve got no clue how I’m going to narrow it down to just two measly weeks.
On top of all that I’ve got to find the words to blog about this place. I’m in such deep doo-doo.
There’s nothing for it really but to launch myself over the side and straight into it. Kind of like the time I went illegal bungee jumping off a 350-foot bridge in the middle of the night (to cure my fear of heights, of course…which didn’t work by the way), but that’s a whoooole other story.
So, I leave you with the biggest of teases, the knowledge that there is so much more to come, but you only have glimpses of what that is. Now you know how I feel.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it.
We loved it there, and the surrounding area. Did you drive up the canyon outside Joseph? We fell in love with it there, and could see ourselves living in that area. The lake is amazingly beautiful, great photos.
We haven’t done that drive yet, but I’m trying to fit it into the schedule. Sooooo much to see here.
Nina
You are such a tease, Nina. With Oregon one of our destination next year, I can’t wait to see what you have discovered.
It’s about time you guys came out to our favorite state. Maybe we can finally meet up again?
Nina
It’s truly an amazing place. I treasure my memories of the Lake, the town and the surrounding mountains. So glad you got to savor it as well! Yours are such beautiful images that bring back some fantastic memories. Can’t wait for more!
Oh my. And…….can’t wait to see your next post.
Great tease title
Looks like a most beautiful place to explore and spend happy times.
Wonderful lake picture.
Enjoy your days and tell us the great reasons to visit that area.
Thanks
I will do my very, very best 🙂
Nina
The Wallowas have special place in my heart too. I worked seasonally for the USFS on the Wallowa Whitman NF in the late 70s. We lived at the base of Chief Joseph in a teepee for two summers. The history and sense of place are amazing. So many fond memories of hiking and climbing. We retire in in three years and start our fulltime life. The Wallowa are high on our list.
What an AWESOME connection!! I bet the place was mostly “undiscovered” back then too? Or rather it was before the marketing concept of “Oregon’s Seven Wonders” was developed? Sure must have been something. I love to hear the history people share with a place.
Nina
If you have a chance to drive out to Imnaha; it’s worth it. Probably too early, but some of the best apricots I’ve ever had are cultivated there. There’s also a very cool hot springs that you can access from the Oregon side of the Snake River by paddle, it’s below some dam that I can’t remember the name. A fresh water stream runs through it so you can choose your comfort level by where you sit. There’s a cool little grotto there that I know you’d capture some great pics at the right time of day. A Hike up the Lostine River is worth while too. Great mushroom gathering too, morels, shagey manes, etc. Check out http://mushroaming.com/Pacific_Northwest as a resource.
I think we’re going to make it out there. We’re planning a drive to one of the Hells Canyon overlooks next week, which would take us right through Imnaha. As long as the weather holds, we’re there!
Nina
I’m bouncing on the end of my bungee awaiting the next installment
Haha! Good one!
Nina
I think Wallowa Lake wants us to kayak on her…..
She would make a fine kayak trip, no doubt.
Nina
When we stayed at the State Park a couple years ago it was mid summer and the placed was packed. Very noisy and busy. We opted to move over to Five Peaks, a privately run rv park with only five spaces, all named for mountains. We stayed in space Sawtooth and since we are 36′ I would imagine you fit if you find it necessary to move. Hopefully, you will not be packed in like a sardine where you are. Check out their website to see what Five Peaks offers in Joseph. It is nicely landscaped and the owners live next door.
We’ve been ok at the State Park so far. We have a nice, big pull-through and it’s been mostly relaxed except for the weekends. I can certainly see this place becoming crazy when it’s full. Plus I DO wish we had more than 1X signal out here (it’s a struggle to keep up w/ the blog). The tip on the little RV park in town is a great one. If we come back to Joseph in the future that’ll be where we’ll stay.
Nina
Beautiful photos. Right now we are in Port Orford near your fav Cape Blanco. It is 70 degrees bu the wind is howling!
Sure sounds like Cape Blanco alright. I do miss that place, wind and all.
Nina
And I suppose this has nothing to do with the contrast from being in the desert all winter? 😉
Here’s a few extra adjective words: astound, dumbfound, stun, flabbergast, awesome. fascinating, incredible, marvelous, prodigious, shocking, stunning, surprising, unbelievable, wonderful.
You go for it!
The contrasts are definitely adding to the allure, no doubt. I may have to re-use some of your descriptors for my next post 🙂
Nina
The way you juxtaposed those words, Wallawa sounds like native indian for foreplay or Tantra. It certainly isn’t French for Voila! voila! Or is it? 😉
Tee hee….definitely not French, but you’re not far off on the native Indian connection at least as far as local history goes. Lots of Nez Perce Tribe history here, and in fact the little town of Joseph is named after a local chieftan, Chief Joseph. As for the Tantric idea, I’ll have to ask the local tribe 🙂
Nina
O.M.G.! What beauty!
That photo makes me want to just start driving to Oregon. Now.
We had a family reunion there! Love that place!
Relax….enjoy the deer…take the Lift to the top and spend the day hiking and relax some more over a dessert at the little outdoor cafe. The one Mountain at the end of the lake reminds me of the Disney Mountain ride . Zugspitz? Matterhorn… Beautiful place! Have Fun! We look forward to reading about your great time there.
The deer are kinda pushy here…and VERY indifferent to people and dogs. We’ve had them all over our campsite.
Nina
“Yes”! to all of the above. But I *really* want to hear the back story of the midnight illegal bungee jump…
HA! Yeah call it foolish youth, or naivety but I’ve always had a crippling fear of heights and in my 20’s I thought I could conquer it once and for all with a bungee jump…not just any bungee jump mind you, but the biggest, baddest, craziest bungee jump I could find. And find it I did. Three friends and I rode out into the night to meet some shady guy on a bridge in CA, string ourselves up with incredibly long cords and leap off into the void.
To make a long story short it was the scariest, most terrifying, most utterly foolish thing I’ve ever done in my life. I screamed like a stuck pig the entire way…and then I did it again (with the exact same result) because I’d paid for 2 jumps, and darn it I was a student on limited income and stubborn as a mule to boot.
I’m still afraid of heights. Maybe a *tad* less? But not by much. Still, at least I faced my fears, or attempted to even if it didn’t work out. Don’t do as I do…isn’t that what they say?
Nina
Now that is what RVing is all about!!! The risk is in the build up. The pure pleasure is in getting there. You wake up in the morning, you open the same old door, and you are in Dreamland, it is every thing it is supposed to be, and more. None RVer’s say that “we are living their dreams”. It is true, but that is their choice. After 10 years as Canadian spending 6 months out of country and a few weeks of summer out of our fixed house, we have learnt to fulfill or RV dreams.
Yeah, I know it’s totally cliché to say “we’re living the dream”, but sometimes I honestly feel we are. There are downsides to RVing….limited space, break-downs, not having “roots” etc. but for a natural-born nomad like me there are few things that compare. And for folks who want both roots and travel, doing 6 months a year of both (like you) is the perfect combo. I do love this lifestyle.
Nina
We too LOVE that corner of our favorite state. I wonder if you’ll make it up to Zumwalt Prairie while the flowers are blooming? We were too late in the season and so never made it there. NE Oregon is truly a photographers dreamscape.
Hmmm…I have to admit the Prairies didn’t even make it on my list. Argh! I may have to re-arrange.
Nina
Oh my, how your photos remind me of visiting the area myself, tho about a decade ago already. It appears to be time to make another trek in that direction. I eagerly await your posts of the area.
You absolutely HAVE to hike to Mirror Lake, starting at the the Lostine River trailhead. The meadow you walk through for miles is simply stunning. Really. If you can swing it, you will LOVE it.
Very much enjoy the blog, BTW. Been reading it for a while. My girlfriend Nikki and I are planning on fulltiming soon. In fact, we decided to do so while sitting at our campground on the Lostine last August! We go on a 10 day camping trip each summer, and last year it was the Wallowas (we live in Portland). We hated the thought of our trip ending and said “Let’s sell everything and live in a van!” When we got home I started researching and discovered all the other non-retired folks that were doing it. We’re very excited and are currently working on selling all our “stuff” and making some career changes. Probably won’t be on the road for another year, but hoping to make it happen as soon as we can.
Enjoy your time in Oregon – we love it here.
You’ll be in FINE company if you decide to go fulltime. Lots of younger folks doing it these days, even families and they’re doing it in everything from vans to “beasts”. We’ve discovered a huge community that we never expected when we started.
Cheers for the tip on Lostine River. We’ve got limited hiking time, but I’ll have to try and see if we can fit it in.
Nina
Hi Nina,
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I’m currently following 105 full/part-time RV blogs. It’s becoming a full time job just to keep up! I’ll admit I skim some of them, but I always read yours. 🙂
I linked to a quick little video I took with my iPhone on our hike to Mirror Lake last year (in the website field of the comment form). The lake is at the base of Eagle Cap, shown at the end of the clip. Perhaps it will inspire you – whether it be this trip to the Wallowas or your next!
Pete
We were there last May the week before Memorial Day, so not everything was in full operation. Definitely recommend the drive out to Zumwalt Prairie to the end at the fire lookout. That’s where the best wildflowers were. It’s a long drive unpaved, but a good surface. Drove smack dab into the middle of a cattle drive on the road, gave them the right of way! Saw a story about RailRiders on OPB, looked like a blast.
http://jbrailriders.com
Another vote for the Prarie…hmmm…I’m going to have to check it out. I saw an Oregon Public Broadcast about the rail riders right before we came, and found the guy who operates it here in town. Don’t think we’re going to be able to fit it in, but it sure looks like a blast.
Nina
Just bought our RV, picking it up on Tues. We live in Florida, that would be a shake down cruise. It looks It looks beautiful and is now on our bucket list.
Congrats on the new RV!! Always exciting to go on your first outing. Wish you all the best in your travels!
Nina
I too would think u would love the Prairies… Five Peaks is where we stayed… Great little park…..and the canyon drive was awesome…we really had a great time in that area….
Hmmm…third vote for the Prairies. I’m going to have to see if we can fit them in. I managed to download some info on them over 1X (took over an hour), but now at least I have a map. It’s closer to here than I thought.
Nina
Already on the list, and in the dreaming and yearning phase with that gorgeous area. I always think of Oregon as the coast and am looking forward to discovering her other virtues in our travels. Love the wildflowers with the white caps – truly magical.
Oregon has surprised us in so many ways since we first “discovered” her in 2011. So glad we had that slide problem back then, otherwise we might never have spent so much time here.
Nina
All I can say is WOW! Simply spectacular.
I definitely look forward to future posts about this place! I ended up clicking on one of your photos to see if that would produce a larger version, and happily it did! With the quality of your photos, I wonder if you could make a slideshow with your blog where people could look at all of them as larger images? There might be a plugin for that. Thank you for sharing this wonderful place with us!
My pics are always a bit of a dilemma. The bigger pic I put in the post, the longer it takes to load which gives me huge dings on Google Pagespeed.
I’m currently using the Jetpack Gallery Plugin for some of my shots (the three tiled shots in the bottom of this post are using it) which allows folks to click and slideshow those 3 pics, but unfortunately the Gallery has a problem with e-mail. Those folks with e-mail subscriptions never see the shots (at all…they just don’t come through). I’ve raised the issue with the developer, but no fixes so far.
Nina
We’ve lived in Oregon for 19 years and have never been to the Wallowas. What is wrong with us? This has been on our list for a long time and your posts will surely be our tipping point. Thanks Nina!
It’s a common thing. We lived in San Francisco for 12 years and never went to see Alcatraz until we had guests…go figure. Sometimes backyard travel is the hardest. Glad I could give ya a nudge 🙂
Nina
You are smack dab in the middle of some of Oregon’s finest hiking. Find YOUR hike! http://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Main_Page
Oh Nina, you’re such a tease! I guess that’s what keeps us coming back, that and your previews of places we can’t miss…..perhaps we won’t head back east next spring, perhaps we’ll just mosey up into wonderful Oregon!
You never know…..
Sue
I vote for Oregon that’s for sure. An entire summer here would be perfect for you guys. Plus Polly misses Lewis.
Nina
Absolutely gorgeous so far, you teaser. And yet another place to add to my after retirement list.
When we were in Bend last summer a friend had just been there and told us we should go. Didn’t make it then but it’s definitely on the list!
This place would definitely be right up your alley…cute little town, lots of hiking, beautiful lakes & mountains. Oh, and 3 places to drink beer 🙂
Nina
So delighted you’re enjoying the gorgeousness of the Wallowas! I completely understand the overwhelming feeling of having too many wonderful options. It’s a grand dilemma, though, isn’t it? If you can get to Zumwalt Prairie, it should be filled with flowers this time of year — it was for us a couple of years ago. You would love it. (http://ravenandchickadee.com/?s=zumwalt+prairie)
Gosh…FOUR recommendations for the Zumwalt Prarie! It’s moved to the top of our list. I think we may even head out there tomorrow AM.
Nina
Have followed and loved your blog for a couple yrs now. You always supply greats ideas for things to see and places to go. The one thing that is always hard to decipher though is bug issues (gnats, mosquitos, etc). I know in the past you have made mention that you are a bug magnet. I am also. Any chance of occasionally including bug info in some of your posts. I have visited some places after being influenced by your terrific write-ups and most times you were spot on with your analysis. Unfortunately there has been a time or two where we could not fully enjoy and we ended up locked inside due to horrendous gnat hazards. Normally I am pretty good at researching to find time of year to avoid the worst of the bugs but being how you are such a great writer and re-capper, any additional info from someone on the front lines would help. But enough of that. Enjoy your travels and thanks for allowing us readers to ride along with you.
I’ll make a note of it. Most of our west US travels have been (mostly) bug free which is part of why we love it so much out here, but there have been occasions we’ve run into them especially gnats & mosquitoes. Right now we’re seeing nothing at all here in the Wallowas, although I hear (from others) that mosquitoes do come out by the lake later in summer.
Nina
Yet another place to add to the Oregon list. This state has completely captivated us. Looking forward to future posts.
You sure do have my attention for the upcoming posts after these gorgeous pictures. Oregon was supposed to be where we were spending the summer. It seems that it would take months and months to see all its beauty east to west, north to south. Just a tad envious here
So very true. This is our fourth summer here and we STILL haven’t seen it all!
Nina
Had to share this list with you since you are right there. Good luck finding 1) and 9).
http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/oregon/barns-or/
Good link! I’ve actually been out “barn hunting” around here (one of my upcoming posts) so this comes in handy.
Nina
Nina, I discovered your blog just this week as my husband and I are in the infant stage of beginning our research for retiring in two years, having just decided for sure that what we want to do the most is to hit the with an RV. We live on the Texas Gulf Coast, and want to leave during the excruciatingly hot and humid months of May-October, then come back for “roots” and holidays from November-April. I just watched your video interview, thoroughly enjoyed it, and am now reading everything I can read from all of your posts. I think I need to start a notebook to track everything, I know I won’t remember it all!! But, what I really want to say is THANK YOU SO MUCH for providing the insight for folks like us who are just getting started. We value your wisdom, and thank you for pioneering the way!!!
Welcome to the blog!! Lovely to have you along for our “ride” and here’s hoping you get out there soon too!
Nina
Nina …
can’t wait to read all about the rest of you our explorations of the Wallowas. I’m delighted that they have met and exceeded your visions. Is “painted hills” still your favorite place or have the Wallowas surpassed them??
I said farewell to my last group of second graders on Friday!!! Ready to jump in the our rig and go north to the vibrant, lush, cool, embrace of the northwest. Our goal is the Olympic Peninsula this time around!!
BTW I LOVE all your photos, but one of my favorites is of Polly on your hike a few posts back …it looks like you painted it!
Oh gosh that’s a hard choice. I have to say the Wallowa’s rival the Painted Hills but I can’t chose one over the other. The Painted Hills are just amazing visually, like nothing I’ve ever seen. The Wallowa’s are beautiful too, and have a ton to DO (much more than the Painted Hills). So, I guess my choice is BOTH? Hahaha.
Very excited that you’re getting on the road. Good travels to you!!
Nina
Hi Nina,
Wallowa is so very beautiful! Having been removed from such a beautiful homeland forever by the U.S. Army and U.S. Gov’t., that is the reason Chief Joseph died of a broken heart. Sad, so very sad.
Lindy
It’s a sad history indeed.
Nina
We have been to Oregon a few time and never been to or heard of Wallowas. It is. Ow on my list. Thanks for the great sneak peak.
Ha ha, what a tease indeed! I know exactly what you are talking about so I won’t hold it against you. 🙂 The teasers looks fantastic!