Saturday, July 23, 2022   Washington

Drove through the morning over many miles of hilly wheat fields, not a tree in sight.  Lovely drive.  Had breakfast in Walla Waslla, WA.  Had to go to Starbucks because the “good” place in town (according to YELP) was insanely busy.  I couldn’t wait, had to have something NOW.  The downtown Walla Walla area was a very pleasant pedestrian area.  The day was beginning to heat up.  From Walla Walla we went south down into Eastern Oregon again.  Then, before Pendleton, we turned east at Weston and drove back into wooded parkland.  Using the Forest Service app, we found a “dispersed camping” location on BLM land.  We found it after a bit of driving, and pulled up beside the Grand Ronde River.  Spent the afternoon parked at the top of the boat launch, since the other campsites were occupied.  The ranger came by to chat.  He said we could stay where we were to camp, OR there was another camping spot on the river very nearby.  After he left, we moved to that other spot.  It was lots more secluded and an even better/closer view of the river.  We are staying here tonight.

Sunday, July 24, 2022   Oregon

Had a serene, relaxing day camped beside the Grande Rhond River.  The sound of the water is so soothing.  The hillsides are half-open like a park,with pine trees filling in.  There is  brush along the banks and a tiny brushy island across from our spot on the river.  Some people went by tubing on the river.  It’s pretty shallow, I was surprised that they didn’t hang up on the rocks.  It got hot today, but we moved our chairs from shade spot to shade spot.  That and a small breeze helped keep us cool.  When it got TOO hot, we climbed down the bank to the river and splashed water over ourselves.  Someone had built a sort of pool beside the bank and we sat down in it to soak.  Very refreshing, relaxing, and fun!  We talked about the upcoming sequence of changes to be made to the van, listed what supplies we prefer as staples in the van, and discussed how to clear the “open” area in the van so that we have a bit more space.  A terrific campsite and a wonderful day.

Monday, July 25, 2022   Oregon

Still camped beside the river.  I think it’s called Palmer Junction, a BLM campsite.  BLM is different from Forest Service.  Sites here have no fire ring or picnic table, just a “Sani-John” in the central parking area.  This is what BLM describes as “dispersed camping”.  They have other places called RA, recreation areas, which are a lot like Forest Service campgrounds with numbered spots and, apparently, the ability to reserve online or by phone.  I am coughing again with all the pine trees around.