So figured I'd start a new thread on this. Took a ton of pics but doing this from my phone so bear with my spelling and grammar! Our destination was Michell Oregon, Prineville and camping in the Ochoco's. Now we like to do what I call adventure camping. No camp sites reserved just explore the hills and find a cool spot with nobody around and no artificial light from others to ruin the experience. This is not for the nervous or for the heavy planners out there! But this is the number one reason for us to own a truck camper! I take it down roads I wouldn't dream of taking other RV's.
So here we go!
Here we are heading up Hwy 22 next to Detroit Lake. It's full this year which is nice!
I love my trucks computer. It is the very definition of optimism. You keep on with your dreams truck!
I didn't take any more until here. Right before Mitchell was this old building. I love stuff like this.
Here is our first destination. My boys are rock hounds so we wanted to treat them to the experience of "mining" for Oregon thunder eggs. This mine, Lucky Strike is ran by a mother, daughter and her husband. They daughter and husband are on site and live at the mine during the season. I love this not drawn to scale provided. Be forewarned, it really is 13 more of an old logging road but the views up to the mine we amazing!
Watch for the branches. They will provide custom pin stripes at no extra charge! Might not show up in the pic but should buff out.
Here is the view from the actual mine. Breath taking and....my father in law hunts down in that valley. Found my new hunting spot, last year they pulled a 7 point non typical out of there.
So we mined out some thunder eggs and the fun part, cutting them open to see what you get!
Here are a few we found, very cool! To note, not our cans in the fire. Pack in, pack out.
Now we left the mine (VERY nice and helpful people!) and drove down the old logging road to find this incredible camp site for the night. So peaceful and we found some very nice and dry cedar to burn, the smell was amazing!
We left the next morning and made notes of our little secret camp spot (we always do so we can return) and we to hike the painted hills. Now, I always wanted to go here and it was amazing but so full of tourists I'd recommend going during the middle of the week and never on a holiday weekend. But it was worth the crowds.
Next we went into the huge town of Mitchell (insert sarcasm here) and had a fantastic lunch of chicken wings made by some guy in a little old rv trailer. Hey...he had a flag that said COLD BEER, so shady looking or not he had my attention! Food was wonderful!
So we set off after a day of hikes and sight seeing in search of our next camping spot. We wandered over near Walton Lake and headed up a dirt road with the simple numbers of 050 on a marker. I saw a Law Enforcement Forest Rnager and stopped to ask if the road had any primitive camp spots. He said, "I've only been up that road race in my life but I am sure you can find something." Music to my ears.
We found this beautiful spot near a creek in a meadow. Lots of wild horses in this area and lots of fresh sign near the creek. Bingo!!!
My attempt at a night shot showing our games by the camp fire.
My wife took an amazing panaramic shot of this camp spot but it's on her phone. I'll post it later on but I think it is poster quality!
So, we left met up with my inlaws in Prineville got to see my FIL's new diesel pusher motorhome (wow....it's nice!) and then headed home. Caught some slow traffic in and outside of Sisters on Hwy 126 but decided to take Hwy 20 home to avoid Hwy 22 and all the traffic. It was a wise move, no traffic and saw some trails we are going to hike next weekend. Oh and as for my super optimistic computer, I hand calculated to 11.2 mpg for the trip. Not bad....
So here we go!
Here we are heading up Hwy 22 next to Detroit Lake. It's full this year which is nice!
I love my trucks computer. It is the very definition of optimism. You keep on with your dreams truck!
I didn't take any more until here. Right before Mitchell was this old building. I love stuff like this.
Here is our first destination. My boys are rock hounds so we wanted to treat them to the experience of "mining" for Oregon thunder eggs. This mine, Lucky Strike is ran by a mother, daughter and her husband. They daughter and husband are on site and live at the mine during the season. I love this not drawn to scale provided. Be forewarned, it really is 13 more of an old logging road but the views up to the mine we amazing!
Watch for the branches. They will provide custom pin stripes at no extra charge! Might not show up in the pic but should buff out.
Here is the view from the actual mine. Breath taking and....my father in law hunts down in that valley. Found my new hunting spot, last year they pulled a 7 point non typical out of there.
So we mined out some thunder eggs and the fun part, cutting them open to see what you get!
Here are a few we found, very cool! To note, not our cans in the fire. Pack in, pack out.
Now we left the mine (VERY nice and helpful people!) and drove down the old logging road to find this incredible camp site for the night. So peaceful and we found some very nice and dry cedar to burn, the smell was amazing!
We left the next morning and made notes of our little secret camp spot (we always do so we can return) and we to hike the painted hills. Now, I always wanted to go here and it was amazing but so full of tourists I'd recommend going during the middle of the week and never on a holiday weekend. But it was worth the crowds.
Next we went into the huge town of Mitchell (insert sarcasm here) and had a fantastic lunch of chicken wings made by some guy in a little old rv trailer. Hey...he had a flag that said COLD BEER, so shady looking or not he had my attention! Food was wonderful!
So we set off after a day of hikes and sight seeing in search of our next camping spot. We wandered over near Walton Lake and headed up a dirt road with the simple numbers of 050 on a marker. I saw a Law Enforcement Forest Rnager and stopped to ask if the road had any primitive camp spots. He said, "I've only been up that road race in my life but I am sure you can find something." Music to my ears.
We found this beautiful spot near a creek in a meadow. Lots of wild horses in this area and lots of fresh sign near the creek. Bingo!!!
My attempt at a night shot showing our games by the camp fire.
My wife took an amazing panaramic shot of this camp spot but it's on her phone. I'll post it later on but I think it is poster quality!
So, we left met up with my inlaws in Prineville got to see my FIL's new diesel pusher motorhome (wow....it's nice!) and then headed home. Caught some slow traffic in and outside of Sisters on Hwy 126 but decided to take Hwy 20 home to avoid Hwy 22 and all the traffic. It was a wise move, no traffic and saw some trails we are going to hike next weekend. Oh and as for my super optimistic computer, I hand calculated to 11.2 mpg for the trip. Not bad....
