Saturday August 13, Trout River Forest Camp, near Sweet Home, Or
Needed to put our jumpers on this morning when we woke to 10 degrees, but are not complaining about the cooler weather! The drive East to Corvallis on HW 20 was really beautiful as we wound up a gorge with deciduous trees creating tunnels on the road, can just imagine what it looks like in the Autumn. It opened up into small block farming, and many were growing trees for the Xmas market, rows of beautifully pruned spruces all ready for their xmas lights.
Corvallis is a university town, and we have really noticed how different these towns are. The main street area was tree lined with lots of book stores and cafes. First stop as usual was the info centre, our Lonely Planet guide has them listed so no problem to Jilly! The guy was most helpful, and even suggested we leave Ruakiwi parked in their grounds while we wandered around the centre of town, especially as the Saturday market was happening on the edge of the Willamette River. On with the walking shoes and off downtown, and the market would be the best we have come across. It was full of the great produce stalls with all sorts of fruits and vegetables, although I guess this is peak season for everyone. Even saw one stall that was like a coop for people that liked growing things in their back yards and were able to share with others to sell their excess.
There was music everywhere with some really good buskers. The whole atmosphere was so relaxed with people just wandering along at a very leisurely pace with children and dogs everywhere.
On into town and found a nice café for lunch. I had a combo with a bowl of fresh tomato and lentil soup followed by half a Panini filled with thick slices of beef and onion marmalade. All made on the premises and so fresh, one of the best lunches we have had. They had store made gelato ice creams but we resisted.
Heard that Borders the bookstore was closing down in town and there were huge discounts….needless to say I found a great book on the latest Photoshop with 30% off, another thing to bring home in the suitcase.
The info guy gave us the location of the Laundromat, probably the most modern I have been in, for once I didn’t have to feed the machine with loads of quarters. They had a machine where you got a card (like a credit card) and you loaded the money onto that..it took notes. Then it was a simple job of swiping it in the machines.
Topped up on fresh supplies and headed east through Lebanon and Sweet Home on HW 20 and up into the Willamette Forest where we found a really nice spot, once again beside a river. Most surprised as the camp was pretty full being a Saturday night. It was 6pm and getting quite cool so Ian lit the fire while I organised a meal.
Corvallis is a university town, and we have really noticed how different these towns are. The main street area was tree lined with lots of book stores and cafes. First stop as usual was the info centre, our Lonely Planet guide has them listed so no problem to Jilly! The guy was most helpful, and even suggested we leave Ruakiwi parked in their grounds while we wandered around the centre of town, especially as the Saturday market was happening on the edge of the Willamette River. On with the walking shoes and off downtown, and the market would be the best we have come across. It was full of the great produce stalls with all sorts of fruits and vegetables, although I guess this is peak season for everyone. Even saw one stall that was like a coop for people that liked growing things in their back yards and were able to share with others to sell their excess.
There was music everywhere with some really good buskers. The whole atmosphere was so relaxed with people just wandering along at a very leisurely pace with children and dogs everywhere.
On into town and found a nice café for lunch. I had a combo with a bowl of fresh tomato and lentil soup followed by half a Panini filled with thick slices of beef and onion marmalade. All made on the premises and so fresh, one of the best lunches we have had. They had store made gelato ice creams but we resisted.
Heard that Borders the bookstore was closing down in town and there were huge discounts….needless to say I found a great book on the latest Photoshop with 30% off, another thing to bring home in the suitcase.
The info guy gave us the location of the Laundromat, probably the most modern I have been in, for once I didn’t have to feed the machine with loads of quarters. They had a machine where you got a card (like a credit card) and you loaded the money onto that..it took notes. Then it was a simple job of swiping it in the machines.
Topped up on fresh supplies and headed east through Lebanon and Sweet Home on HW 20 and up into the Willamette Forest where we found a really nice spot, once again beside a river. Most surprised as the camp was pretty full being a Saturday night. It was 6pm and getting quite cool so Ian lit the fire while I organised a meal.
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Its 7 degrees here... No snow yet!