Willow Creek Quilts

Oooooh, Aaaaaah, Yummmmmmm!

June 28th, 2009

Ah, yes….time for a little Road Trip. Papa Toad decided it was time to do a little more exploring…Mama Toad (Moi!) agreed. We’ve been in Oregon almost 5 years and still had not ventured over to the NE corner of this huge state. We’d both read “The Shack”, a fascinating book that takes place around Wallowa State Park, and decided we needed to check out that area. We headed East in our little RV (PleasureWay) from Bend. Bend is at 3600′ and classified as High Desert, just at the base of the volcanic formed Cascade Mountain Range. Heading to the Ochoco Mtns. you go through Prineville, a charming little western town. As we approached it you can see how it lies in its own little valley before the Ochocos rise to the East.

There was a cattle roundup coming to Prineville…so guess what we met further down the road after we left Priveville! By this time I was driving and let them and their 4 wheel drover have the right of way!

We drove through the Ochocho Mts., the Blue Mtns. and then came to the Wallowa Mtns. All were spectacular. We understand why the Wallowas are known as America’s Little Switzerland. It’s a long haul….about 9 hours if you allow for potty stops, lunch, picture taking, ice cream….and cows! At last we were at the State Park which is right on Wallowa (Waa-llow-a) Lake. They take reservations, have a few RV hookups, lots of tent sites, wonderful flushables and showers. Deer wander freely, lots of Canada Geese, ducks, Eagles, great fishing and yes, a couple Black Bears. We had a great dinner at the Wallowa Lodge by the entrance to the Park.

Wallowa River…….so picturesque. We’re at 4100′.

The river empties into Wallowa Lake…about 250′ deep. It was glacier formed and you can see the Eastern Moraine on the right with the Western Moraine on the left.

Up, up & away to Mt. Howard via the 15-20 minute Tramway.

At the 8136′ summit we were rewarded with Strong winds, cool temperatures and unstopping Vistas. The furthest ridge you see in this picture is the “7 Devils”.  Right in front of them at their base is Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in North America. Carved by the Snake River it measures 7913′ from He Devil to the floor of the gorge.

Summit looking South…..

Back down to Joseph for some shopping, a cute quilt shop and …………………

LUNCH! (Remember those cows on the highway…….?) I had the best burger ever at the Embers Grill. Eight ounces (sounds better than 1/2 pound!) of pure flavor! I did a bang up job of almost finishing it too!

We relaxed, hiked, lazed, read (Francine Rivers “Unveiled”), played with my new BlackBerry phone and oh yes, stitched! And I had a great chunk of design time during our 1 day in camp. “Day 4″ meant it was time to head home, renewed and enthused. Little Get-A-Ways are sooooooo refreshing.

By this weekend the quilters will begin to arrive for their annual pilgrimage to Sisters for the Outdoor Quilt Show, July 12. Classes and programs will begin next Monday and the party will begin. I’ll try and add some more photos of a couple more quilt shops to tempt you. Here’s how Quilt Show Saturday started last year when we got there at 7:30 a.m. The firemen were still putting the quilts up on the side of The Stitching Post and folk were just starting to mill around.

Enjoy! Have a Marvelous Monday!

Nadine