From Smith Rock to Juniper Golf

Yesterday was a full day--no time to write a blog.  After our early morning eight-mile bike ride around the fairgrounds, we made another trip to Cove Palisades State Park.  It was nice to see the lake again and even more boats were out enjoying the warm weather.  We drove through Deschutes Campground and even though it has full hookups, it didn't "float our boat"--sorry for the bad pun.

We drove on to Smith Rock State Park, located only three miles north of Redmond.  What a great park!  The rock formations reminded of the "rocks" we saw last year in Utah.  This is a climber's paradise, but we didn't bring binoculars, so we didn't witness any climbing.  And, of course, we didn't do any climbing ourselves, except for climbing in and out of the car to take pictures.  

After touring the state park, we came back to the RV for lunch and a break, and then Dave went next door to play golf at the championship Juniper Golf Course.  I did some errands and then joined Dave at the golf course to ride around with him on the cart for his last nine holes.  By then the usual afternoon breeze had come up and the temperature was pleasant at the golf course.  

About 7 pm we finished up at the golf course and decided to head to McMenamins Old Francis School restaurant in Bend.  We had a delightful meal while enjoying the ambience of one of their patio areas. 

Each of the McMenamins restaurants is different in style and theme. The Old St. Francis School has undergone a transformation from a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse to a hotel complete with classrooms-turned-lodging rooms, a pub, brewery and bakery, a movie theater, private meeting and event space and a soaking pool.

This morning we drove up to Sisters, Oregon, had breakfast, window-shopped, went to a couple of bookstores, and drove through the city park campground to make sure that we could fit our motorhome into one of their spots.  It's a go for a future RV trip to Sisters!

Tonight is the opening night of the Deschutes County Fair, and we'll walk over there from the RV park.  Tomorrow--we head for home!  Despite the hot temps it's been a great week here in Redmond, Oregon!

A Day Trip to Lompoc and Solvang, CA

Dave and I are having a great time here in Pismo Beach, California.  Our stay at Pismo Coast Village has been very enjoyable and we can see why people are keen to become shareholders of this park.  The park is 35 years old, but it appears to be well taken care of.   The entrance to the park is being repaved this week and we are impressed with how quick and efficient the workers have been.  There has been no disruption except for having to go in and out a maintenance entrance instead of the main entrance.

While Dave played golf today, I went for another bike ride.  First I rode to the nearby downtown area of Pismo Beach.  That area is undergoing some paving and repairs, also.  They have to do work like that this time of the year since this is the off season.  Summers here are very busy!

Then I rode south along Highway 1 to Pismo State Golf Course where Dave was playing.  I didn't see him, but I left a "Kilroy Carol was here" note for him in the car.

Monday we went on a day trip to Lompoc and Solvang.  We left early in the morning in order to get to Lompoc to visit a Victorian house that was open only between 9 and 11 am on Mondays.  But, alas, the house was deserted when we got there, so we didn't get to go inside.

The house was there, but no one was giving a tour.

Another site we visited was the town's Carnegie library, now the Lompoc Museum.  Alas, this place was closed, too.

Lompoc's Christmas banner--I'm not sure of the significance of the polar bear

We drove about ten miles west of Lompoc (pronounced LOM-POKE) to get to the beach.  We were so surprised to see an Amtrak station (deserted) out there.  It was a stop of a commuter train (no trains in sight).  This was a somewhat eerie place.  I could just imagine someone taking the train here and being dropped off at a deserted beach ten miles from town. 

We visited La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, which I'll write about tomorrow.  Then we drove on to Solvang, a touristy Danish village.  Even on a Monday, the town was hopping with cars and shoppers.

Our outing tired me out, and I slept most of the hour-long ride back to Pismo Beach.  I woke up just in time to take this photo along Highway 101 north of Santa Maria.

Mallard Creek RV and Golf Resort, OR

We are spending the Independence Day holiday weekend at Mallard Creek RV and Golf Resort which is located near Lebanon, Oregon (southeast of Salem and east of Corvallis).  The golf course is a championship 18-hole course and the RV park is first-rate.  The park is located outside of town in a beautiful, quiet location.

We are all decked out for the holiday weekend.

The resort registration building contains restrooms, laundry, and a lounge.

Resort flowers