Adventure 458: Emigrant Recreation Area, Jackson County, Oregon

The view from our living room.

Jack and Ronda gave us hugs, the left over "bowl", most of the lemon goop, and a host of good wishes. We hit the road about 8:30. First stop: Bend, Oregon for breakfast (What else?) at a fine establishment called the McKay Cottage Restaurant. It was quite good. We sat outside at a table with heated flames. The servers also provided blankets for warmth. The Cappuccino was divine, the scone moist and scrumptious, the Marionberry jam delicious, and each entree well prepared. Satisfied, we headed South toward Ashland. At Crater Lake, we turned onto a road that took us through the ever changing flora and fauna of the Umqua National Forest. We passed stately firs, large white pine, wild lilacs, Junipers, Lodge Pole Pine, assorted mountain flowers, and bright purple lupine lined the roadside almost all the way. Since it was a sunny day, welcoming shadows beckoned to us from the forest floor. We stopped once to hunt mushrooms and another time for lunch at a roadside geologic site called the Natural Bridge, where the crystal clear water of the Rogue River passes under a mass of lava rock for some two hundred yards only to surface in a tumble down a steep gorge. Buoyed by nature's magnificence, our spirits lifted, and yet again we felt grateful for God's grace. We arrived at the Emigrant reservoir about three thirty, set up the trailers, and proceeded to take a little rest (Naps, we retired folks call them). Later, Judy and Liz put together a pot luck dinner, after which we all put a real dent in what was left of the lemon goop, and finally, the boys topped the evening off with a satisfying victory at the cribbage board. Tomorrow, we begin a three day, six play experience at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Life is truly good, especially today (Even in the land of Chump).

The outdoor seating at McKay's features "fire tables". Very unique ambience.

 Judy and I shared a dish called, "Salmon Hash", a local take on Eggs Benedict.

 Selfie at the falls at the Natural Bridge.

 The powerful water also carved out a feature they call, "The Cave.

These Oregon Grape leaves, though beleaguered by disease, still present a stunning picture. 

 The view from Dave and Liz's camp sight.

 Our home for the next few days.

 My Bunny whipping up Pear Salad for dinner.

 The view from our camp sight.

So sad for the Wiley Cager and her partner.