More laundry today, but all caught up now. Good for two or three weeks. Karen and Laura picked me up for what I thought was a shopping trip to Costco, but instead they took me east, up into the mountains and run up the canyon. Very picturesque and scenic. Winding roads, lots of pines and maples. Pull off camping spots adjacent to the road that were a little close for my taste.
The unfortunate part about this park was seeing some of the worse camping habits you will see, all concentrated in one area. Almost looked like a homeless village. Apparently they either do not have rules or they are not applying them. Campers parked every which way, vehicles parked in the weeds and trees, gear scattered about everywhere, clothes lines tied to trees, smoldering fires left behind, and piles and piles of trash. It is really not a stretch to pack out your garbage and leave it by the curb on your weekly pickup. It was really a shame that such a gorgeous natural resource has been trashed by so many inconsiderate people.
The Cougar Girls even took a short break to stretch and allow me to hike down the valley to get a few shots of the river. A quick scramble back up the hillside and back we went. Stopping for dinner at a very nice roadside diner, and the food was fabulous. A short drive back to camp and a quick goodbye to my new friends from Oregon. They both have been most helpful in guiding in and about the state, and I do appreciate their hospitality.