Yellow Bottom Camping 2017

Every year, Joel and I camp at Yellow Bottom Campground in Quartzville. 

This was our 3rd annual trip and the first time we have brought friends with us!

This is my happy place.

We only stayed a couple of nights this time. Our first afternoon there, we spent time doing one of my favorite things: floating under the sun!

There were so many butterflies! One landed on my floatie :)

We drove back a way (for cell service) to make a phone call, and we practically had to drive almost all the way back to Green Peter Reservoir, but look how beautiful it was! It was so quiet and the color was so pure!

On our phone stop, we got out and gathered some things for our Nature Mandala's. 

We also challenged our hubbies to find us some things. I so wanted a picture of the two of our guys picking flowers for us, but I couldn't snap it in time!

The idea for making mandala's came from the book "How to be a Wildflower" by one of my favorite artists, Katie Daisy.

Oh yeah, getting crafty!

Mine.

 Jeannine's

Van's.

Van's x2.

Joel's.

Joel found these fox gloves for me :)

Reading and playing games are a must when camping.

We may have brought to many sausages.

We experimented with melting glass.

I made my husband take some tent selfies with me before bed :)

All the extra sausages made for some delicious breakfast burritos!

Our glass experiments.

We left a floral arrangement for the next campers to come to our site.

Before we left, we floated and explored the creek one last time.

Some jumping happened.

Rock art.

One of the best views in the world.

Good times with good friends! 

Until next summer Yellow Bottom!

Do you have any favorite camp sites?

Happy Wednesday!

Hiking to Blue Pool (AKA Tamolitch Pool) on the McKenzie River

A few weeks ago, Joel and I went hiking with some friends, to a place called Blue Pool or Tamolitch Pool on the McKenzie River. We left early in the morning, because it took us a couple of hours to get there (although it's not too far from where I grew up!). We were the first ones to the trail head and it was still pretty cool when we got there. This was the view from the trail head parking lot.

I adore pine trees. They are so magnificent. It's one of my favorite things to look at. I wish I had this view every day.

Off we go on our hike!

The hike to the pool is relatively easy. There is not a lot of up hill/down hill. It does, however, get a little rocky in parts, and once you get to the pool, you do have to do a little bit of rock climbing, and actually getting down to the pool is really steep.

The Mckenzie river actually goes under grown for a few miles after Carmen Reservoir and Blue Pool is where it comes back up. The water is VERY cold. Not really the type of water good for swimming, but we had fun watching a few unsuspecting people jump in :)

View from above.

When I took this picture, I was standing in what looks like an empty waterfall.

I love how the surroundings reflected into the pool.

Joel was in such a good mood, he even suggested we take a selfie! Of course, this was before we decided to extend our hike onto Carmen Reservoir, making our 4 mile round trip hike into a 10 mile round trip hike. Let's just say I learned on this hike why people use hiking poles and I am going to buy real hiking shoes. My knees hurt so bad when I got home I had to CRAWL up the stairs!!

Even though we were all really tired when we finished our 10 mile hike, we all felt really accomplished! Such a fun adventure to be had with friends. It will always be a cherished memory!
I highly recommend the 4 mile hike to Blue Pool. It is so beautiful, you will not regret it!!
For more info check here.

I love exploring Oregon. I am in love with trees, mountains, lakes and rivers right now.
We just got back from Eastern Oregon and a Country Music Festival and I'm having a hard time coping with the fact that I am not waking up surrounded by trees and mountains every morning!
*Sigh.
Happy Wednesday!

Camping at Yellow Bottom on Quartzville Creek

My husband and I went camping, for the second time, at Yellow Bottom camp ground a few weeks ago. We have enjoyed it so much, I think we are going to start making a tradition.

 Looking up at giant trees is one of my absolutely favorite views in the world (second only to looking out to tree covered hills and mountains at sunset). This was my view from my chair at our campsite.

Our little tent. We have decided it is time for an upgrade! After being eaten alive by misquitos this year, we are getting a tent that has a little "entry way" area before the sleeping area, so we can set up a card table and play cribbage inside, and make it easier not to get dirt from our shoes in our bed.

 My parents came up to spend the day with us one of the days and brought our family dog.

 Remi had a blast. She never got out of the water the whole time. We thought her heart was going to give out because she just kept going!!

  Our swim area. Pretty much had the place to ourselves for 2 days!

 

 

I'm so glad my parents came and spent the day with us! It was so nice :)

I love this man.

Breakfast the next day. If it wasn't for Joel, I would probably only eat granola bars, hotdogs and baked potatoes when I go camping, haha! He's a little more ambitious about cooking on the camp fire than I am. Breakfast is especially great when Joel cooks.

Another awesome view of the trees from our swim hole.
My dad said that some of these trees were probably at least 200 years old!
One thing I love about camping is NO MAKEUP!! It feels refreshing to not have to worry about it.
This summer I have been enjoying going with less makeup quite often. Even for events that I would normally make myself up for, I've just been wearing mascara only. It's been nice!

 This is what we do: float & relax!

When you float in the water and look down, you see all kinds of interesting creatures.
I even sat still enough in the shallow water for little fishes to swim around me!

 Who needs to pay for a "fish manicure" like the Kardashian's, when you can get one for free in the creek? If you can stand it! It kind of freaks me out a little to have fish nibbling on my feet! Here's a little video where you can see the little fishes.

I love this picture. So beautiful Creekside is the best.

Following with tradition, we got a thunder and rainstorm toward the end of our camp trip. This time we were more prepared though!!
I'm always sad when we have to leave!
Being out in nature is so inspiring for me. I have so many ideas for painting and art pieces after this trip. Now is only I could hunker down and get to work on them!

Ah, country roads lead me home. Until next year Yellow Bottom!
Happy Thursday! :)