Days 11 and 12

Chopaka Lake Campground and Crawfish Lake Campground

PCT Backpacking Ladies Trip

I know it has been awhile since my last blog post. We took a little break from RTT camping so that I could go on a ladies adventure with some of my girlfriends last weekend. Jeff and I had backpacked once before, but this was just me and the girls, all on our own, on the Pacific Crest Trail, for 3 days and 19 miles. I'm pretty proud of us all, as three of us were totally unexperienced. Thank goodness we had our fearless leader, Kiki to share all her knowledge. Oh, and we also met up with two bears on the trail. That was exciting! Check out the perfect campsite we had on night two. I had creek front property right outside my tent door, and we slept under giant cedar trees. Can't get much better than that.

I wasn't home for more than two or three days when I started getting the itch to get outside again. It MIGHT have had something to do with the painting of the kitchen, which is turning out to be a slow and tedious summer chore. Jeff had the next spot already picked out...Chopaka Lake Campground, about an hour and a half northwest of us, close to the Canadian border. We have been to Palmer Lake several times, and every time we go, I see this steep dirt road that leads to Chopaka Lake. Today was the day to drive it in 4-wheel drive. If you look closely, you'll see the road up on the hillside. Quite the climb.

The road in on the hillside ahead leads to Chopaka Lake.

Once we arrived at the lake, we were quite surprised to see so many trailers and RVs were up there. That was not an easy drive. The lake was serene and calm, and the campground was dotted with campers from one end to the other, but one perfect spot was calling our name. We chose a small area with water access, and just enough room to park and pop the tent for the night.

Our home for the night, with lots of tall grass and trees around the lake (lots of birds too)!

We discovered on this trip that we LOVE having our rain fly off and the window open to the lake view.

Chopaka Lake - named after the legend of a hunter by the name of Chopaka who was turned to stone by Coyote

Quick and easy cleanup dinner tonight - haystacks (chips, turkey chili, heirloom tomatoes, feta cheese, and cabbage)

For my birthday this year, my thoughtful daughter got me a travel journal and an incredible set of gel pens and carry case for me to sketch and write in on our adventures. It was fun to sit in the sun and doodle about the day. I also kept track of birds this day. We saw some good ones, including a mystery bird which sat on top of a tree the entire time "fitz bew"ing at us non stop. I FINALLY figured out what it was by clicking through sounds on my bird app (iBird, highly recommended). He was a Willow Flycatcher. I wish I had a picture, but I failed to bring my zoom camera on this trip, and the phone just wouldn't do. Darn it. ALWAYS BRING THE CAMERA! Here's his annoying call that taunted me for hours.

One aspect of going to Chopaka that intrigued Jeff was that it is a fly-fishing only lake. Jeff is not a fly-fisherman, but he sure wanted to try it out. He even has a fly pole that our good friend Baran once gave him. We stopped at North 40 on the way out of town and picked out a few fun flies to use. It was like shopping for candy in a candy store...so many colors and choices.

Jeff giving fly-fishing a go. He had to wade out to have room. We watched other fishermen in their float tubes way out in the middle of the lake, and I think I may know what Jeff wants for Christmas this year. 

The temperature at night was perfect! We slept well, listening to the various nature sounds all around us. I heard hoofing around, right outside our tent a couple times. It could have been cows, as Chopaka is a free-range area and there were lots of cows around. I am also quite sure I heard a rattle snake at one point during the day, and there were many rodents and critters around. It is so comforting to know that we are up off the ground and safe from intruders in the night. I love it!

Next Day

We had planned on making our way home, and, if we felt like it, stopping one more night at a favorite little mountain lake of ours - Crawfish Lake. Jeff had planned our driving route to bring us up to the border to go through the little mining town of Nighthawk. I've been living in Okanogan County for 24 years, and had never been. Well...Nighthawk is pretty small; about 3 houses and an old, decrepit, but cool building on the corner of the one intersection. I had Jeff drop me off at one end of town so I could take pictures, and then he picked me up on the other end of town, about 100 yards down the road. I did a little research when we got home and discovered that the house on the corner was actually a bordello, house of ill repute, whatever you want to call it. Apparently, at one time, there was a tent boom town with up to 3,000 people staying in Nighthawk hoping to become rich off of silver and gold. I bet this place has a lot of stories to tell. Here are more pictures of the old ghost town along with a little history.

Similkameen River and Enloe Dam

Continuing east on the Loomis-Oroville road, we meandered along the beautiful Similkameen River towards a favorite spot, Enloe Dam. Across the river is an old railroad bed (rails to trails) walking path which leads past the dam and up to an old tunnel through the side of the mountain. We've walked the Similkameen Trail before, and remembered that it ends with "WARNING" and "KEEP OUT!" signs at the west entrance of the tunnel. We wondered if we could see the tunnel entrance and exit from this side of the river. We found it! Next, we drove the more difficult road down to Enloe Dam, which has quite a history itself. One year when we visited, we saw dozens of red-headed, beat up salmon trying to make way up the river. After the dam and power plant were built in the early 1900s, this is as far as the determined fish can go on the Similkameen.

Parking to look at the tunnel across the river

The west entrance of the tunnel up on the hillside (surrounded in trees) and someone camping along the river looking for the elusive gold flakes that are rumored to still be around (we saw lots of people trying with their dredging machines)

Enloe Dam and the Similkameen Trail on the other side of the river

The Enloe Power Plant

McLoughlin Canyon

After stopping for a quick lunch and restock of the cooler in Oroville, we headed up McLoughlin Canyon, another historical spot that we had never visited. The canyon is near the Tonasket caves that everyone always talks about. In fact, Max and his buddies had just been out crawling through the caves the day before. The history of the deep canyon is an interesting, but sad story that involves Native American loss of land, ambush, and death. Nonetheless, it was a captivating and scorching hot drive through the canyon. We stopped to take a couple pictures. 

Crawfish Lake

It had been a long, hot day, so when we arrived at Crawfish Lake, we pretty much just set up camp and chilled out the rest of the evening. This is a favorite spot that we have been to several times before. It never disappoints with the loons on the lake and the calm water (no motor boats allowed). I didn't take many pictures, but here is one of our evening ambiance. Lovely!

Quick Recap of Days 11 and 12

Chopaka Lake Campground: This is definitely a different kind of camping for us. Rather than forested lake, the area is grassy and open. I can imagine the mosquitoes are bad most years, but this summer we've been lucky. Fly fishing was fun for Jeff to try out, but he needs some more equipment. The camping was free, which was a nice surprise.

Crawfish Lake Campground: Also free camping, but the sites were filling up quick. We will be going back here at least once this fall when things cool off a bit and the popularity of camping wears off a little. We have spent nights here in the past where it was pretty much just us and the loons in the campground and no one else.

Lessons Learned: We love sleeping with the rainfly off and the window facing the lake. Jeff would love to borrow a float tube to try fly fishing again (anyone have one?). We also used our leveling blocks under the FJ to level the tent both nights, which was a first (you can see them in the picture above). One big revelation for me on this trip is that I want my old camping stove back. Zoe and Nick? Just kidding, but I will probably buy another Coleman some day because our new stove stinks! Until next time...

Day 10!!! Woohooo!!! Half-way there!

The Gorge Amphitheater

Alright! We've got 10 sleeps in after this weekend. This was not our usual camping trip with all the gear and outdoor adventure goals. April surprised us all with tickets to Cage the Elephant and Beck at the always stunning venue, the Gorge Amphitheater, camping on their grounds right there on the hillside. The six of us have attended several events together, and it is always a fantastic time. We took a route to the gorge that we had never traveled before. It was so pretty with the amber waves of grain alongside the road.

We met our crew at the free concert parking in George, and piled into the FJ, pulling the Thompson's tent trailer behind us. Before long, we had our compound set up and we were soaking in some sun and having some fun. Just a coincidence...or maybe our daughter just has really great taste in music, but Zoe and her friend Siobhan were attending the same show. They stopped by for a little pre-show fun and a selfie. Siobhan has the longest selfie-taking arm. 😊

Love these people!

One of the best perks about camping at the Gorge is the easy walk to and from the campground. I've heard the traffic in and out of the parking area for the show is insane, so walking to the show and then back afterwards when we're exhausted after all the singing and dancing is a good thing.

Once you arrive at the venue and get through the crowds of people, security, and the ticket scanners, you walk up a short distance to the top of the grassy hill where you can begin to choose your spot to take in the entertainment (and I'm not just talking about the music...the people-watching opportunities at the Gorge are incredible). But...nothing beats this view. The Gorge is, by far, the most beautiful venue I've ever experienced. Wow!

As a lucky-for-us bonus, the band Spoon was playing as an additional opening band. Cage the Elephant had everyone up on their feet dancing, and Beck continued to energize the audience with their most popular hits as they played late into the night. It was amazing and such a good time.

Wenatchee - The Day After

Since Zoe had stayed the night at Siobhan's after the show, we decided to drive through Wenatchee on Sunday and do a little shopping and have lunch with the girls. Our first stop was the most darling little coffee shop/bakery called Glaze. They had an interesting array of unique doughnuts and the prettiest little cakes that I found myself taking pictures of them. They were too beautiful not to share. Check out that purple one!

Quick Recap of Day 10

Gorge Amphitheater - is always a great time. Although we'd been there and camped several times before, this was much better, mainly because it was a smaller concert with way less people than our previous visits. If you don't mind using port-a-potties, or if you have a friend with a tent trailer with a toilet 😏, this is a good option rather than driving to and from the concert.

Lessons Learned: I love our friends! They are fantastic and fun and forever! Wouldn't change a thing.

Days 7, 8, and 9

Kettle Falls State Park

Every year, since I can remember (probably around 1997), we've been getting together once a summer with a group of friends and their families. It started out as an annual beach trip, and then, as we grew, we began camping somewhere different each year. This year, the new spot was Kettle Falls State Park, The Locust Grove Group Site.

A little history... The Locust Grove Group Site was the original location of the town of Kettle Falls. The current town is located a few miles away from Lake Roosevelt, which is really part of the Columbia River that has been backed up by Grand Coulee Dam. They did a nice job sharing the history at the camp with a string of interpretive signs along what must be one of the original sidewalks. I wish I had taken better pictures. Although the building of the dam created electricity and irrigation for the area, the town had to be located...and even more devastating, the actual Kettle Falls (yes, there used to be a huge waterfall on the Columbia) was submerged as well.

The area was beautiful, full of wildflowers, and right on Lake Roosevelt. There was a network of nicely kept trails to walk around the marshlands. Unfortunately, with this lush environment came swarms and swarms of hungry mosquitoes! I don't think I've ever experienced anything like this. I felt like Brian, in a favorite book, Hatchet. The insects "made a living coat" on my arms and legs. Despite all the DEET...we were pretty much all bitten hundreds of times. And...the earwigs. Everywhere! Of course, it was all worth it for the good times and memories.

This year was special, because the first day of our weekend just happened to also be the 4th of July. Our friend Robin was quite successful in talking us all into wearing the festive red, white, and blue and gathering for some group shots. Notice all those "adult" or older teen kids in the photo. It seems like just last year that they were all running around camp in their swimsuits all day, riding bikes, painting rocks, and catching frogs. I suppose grand-kids will be coming next.

The ladies

Father and son matching boxers...so festive!

Seven families and extended families this year

It is always a fantastic time getting out on the water with these people. Jon and Baran have some pretty sweet boats that carry a lot of passengers. At one point, we tethered all three of our boats together and went for a swim. We found a spot on the Kettle River where the water was 72 degrees. Christy says that is the cut off for "just warm enough." It was refreshing to be out on the water and we were able to get a respite from the biting insects.

Thank you Christy, for taking this one.

I hear Saturday morning's breakfast was around the fire and fabulous! Jeff was out fishing that morning, and I was hiding out from the mosquitoes up in the roof top tent reading my Kindle. I love that I'm up high enough to look out and see everything going on. I think we're getting used to this lifestyle. 😄

One of the many circle-up times around the fire

Lots of games going on at various picnic tables

My two beautiful children

It seems like every year, the dogs have as much fun and get as much attention as the kids. Now the kids are bringing their dogs. We had 11 dogs this year!

Zoe and Nick invited their friends Kayla and Ethan to join us this year. (Zoe's dog, Bear and our Newton)

Lily crashed out on Jeff's lap by the fire

Boat Pup

A Quick Recap of Days 7, 8, and 9

Kettle Falls State Park- Locust Grove Group Site: The grounds were nice, spacious, very private, and had some cool history, but it would have been nice to be closer to the boat marina. Once again, having the FJ Cruiser parked in a permanent position for 3 days made it a little difficult to leave for ice refills or to go to the boats, but that wasn't really a problem with so many of us there to share. The water was cold, but not unbearable, and had lots of places to explore. The mosquitoes were HORRID! We are calling this the "Year of the Mosquito" for that reason. We've had the "Year of the Rain" and the "Year of the Fire," so this fits.

Lessons Learned: Mosquitoes can bite through leggings! It is totally possible to take the FJ out on a longer excursion. We had tons more stuff than usual, but we found a place for everything. Jeff's closet was the passenger seat, and our food was in the driver's seat (also away from earwigs). We also learned that we truly appreciate the being up so high off the ground in the tent. Everyone else had a tent full of earwigs by the end of the weekend.

Day 6

Ferry Lake

We had a free evening so we decided to do another one-nighter and stay fairly local. Of course we wanted to check out something new...somewhere we've never been, so we chose to head out to a group of lakes and campsites just south of Republic, WA. We figured we'd pop the tent and stay at the the place that looked best for us. First stop - Lyman Lake. Pretty spot, but there was already a group of campers there (and only about 4 spots), and the lake was off a cliff and hard to get too. Jeff had brought his fishing gear this time so we wanted to get a bit closer to the water.

Lyman Lake

After Jeff had carefully planned the route using Google Maps at home, we took a very little-traveled road to the next area to check out Ferry Lake and Swan Lake Campgrounds. As the path grew more narrow, it was also closing in on us, masked from all the tree branches and bushes over the one-lane road. Good thing Jeff carried a little hatchet with us. At times, we barely squeezed in.

On the other side, the road opened up into a lush, green old forest. There were lots of side roads, but we obediently stayed on our path. At one point, the road we were supposed to take was gated with a NO TRESPASSING sign (and a guard on duty). Not knowing where we were destined to end up, we stayed on the main road and hoped it would get us to Ferry Lake.

...and it did! I fell in love with this spot as soon as we pulled in. The camp area was down a small hill from the parking area where we would be sleeping for the night (a downside), but everything else was perfect. The spot was on the lake with two downed logs jutting out into the calm water (fantastic spot for sitting and fishing). There was a separate level area ideal for our two chairs and a small table. The fire pit was ready to be lit with a fresh-cut pile of wood stacked next to it. And...there were loons! A whole family (mother, father, and two very young juveniles).

We didn't pop the tent and set up camp right away, however. First we traveled to the next spot, Swan Lake Campground, to weigh the options. We didn't even know this place existed, but it was being well used; a bit crowded, actually. Like a flash, we jumped back in the FJ to hurry back to Ferry Lake to grab up the perfect spot before it was gone.

The perfect spot

Ready for the evening

Western Tanager

Nothing like camp food (Chicken Korma, cous cous, and Palak Paneer)

A little Crib by the fire

Quirkle (This one takes a lot of space.)

We played games, made dinner, went for a little walk around the lake during a brief rainstorm (it lasted like 10 minutes), and then hit the hay for night 6 in the RTT. We slept to the occasional mellowed wail of a loon, and woke up to a glorious morning. If you've never camped with loons, you might be interested in watching this short Cornell video about their call and what it means. What I love best about loons (even more than their many awkward sounds) is the way they own the lake. You rarely find more than one family of loons on one lake, unless it is large enough to create different territories. I love loon lakes!

Mama loon and her young

I love these little one-nighters for many reasons, but the best part is planning a short excursion on the way home, followed by a nice lunch somewhere new. We stopped at Long Lakes, which also had a cute, little handful of camp spots right on the water. We'll be going back here, for sure. They had two intriguing mile or mile and a half trails around the chain of lakes, that I am sure are super birdy, and a cool old water pump that worked!

Once back on the paved road, we headed north to Republic to eat lunch and have a beer at the Republic Brewing Company. We had been there once before, but never knew they had this cute outdoor seating area that looks like it could seat about 50 people. That's quite the spot for a tiny little town like Republic. We were the first people there (hence, the empty seats), had a noon-time beer 😏, and then walked to the local Mexican joint for some yummy lunch.

and a disco ball

Recap of Day 6

Lyman Lake Campground - We may go back someday, but it is small and not close to the water. I also didn't like the fact that the previous campers had left trash all over the place.

Ferry Lake Campground - A hidden gem...can't believe I'm sharing that...but it is just too good to keep to ourselves. If you are in the area, check it out. We also really appreciated that fact that the forest service, most likely, had chopped dead wood and stacked it up by all the fire pits. There was plenty of small, dead wood lying around and up for grabs for starting the fire too. Loons were the icing on the cake!

Swan Lake Campground - This looks like a popular destination. Locals from Tonasket or Republic may go there often. The lake had motor boats, so not as peaceful as the other lakes, but if a camp out with friends is what you are looking for, this could be perfect.

Lessons Learned - Google Maps got us to Lyman Lake, but we had to detour around a bit to get to the next spot. And, the road conditions were unpredictable and maze-like at times. Shortly after returning home we bought a collapsible, portable hand saw and a set of county road maps that includes all those little roads.

So far, I think this was my favorite RTT adventures!