Apr 16, 2014
The perfect overnight stop in Oregon
Before I share the secret of the perfect overnight stop I want to share Colin’s photos of the lunar eclipse. While I went to bed early Monday night he stayed up and took some wonderful photos.
Blurb taken from the internet. The last one was in 2004.
This is before the eclipse started and was taken with my new camera set on manual focus, manual shutter speed and manual aperture. Nice that the camera is not just a point and shoot.
The start of the eclipse.
I am showing just a few of the many shots taken.
These shots were all hand held.
Sadly my camera could not pick up the low level of the moon at this phase, so here is a shot from the 2004 eclipse. You can see the moon is shot from a different angle. Colin did see the red color with his naked eye.
We took out time getting going Tuesday morning and never left until almost 11:00AM. It was a relaxing day with only 225 miles to drive as it turned out. A beautiful spring day on I5.
Today Carmeh sat between my legs as we drove. She usually sleeps on the dog bed between us but today she was seeking the warmth of my body.
As we crossed the various passes today we saw a lot of these signs, many indicating the 6% grade of 6 or 7 miles.
That's our road way down there.
The first truck with the bike in the back is towing a smaller truck with yet another bike in the back 😯
Here we are at the end of 225 miles at the Eugene Valley River Center.
This beats Walmart or any local RV Park and I am eternally grateful to Jean and Skip of Travel with Jean and Skip. They featured this place on their blog a few years ago and I emailed them for the directions. This is our second year here.
The view out our front window. You are allowed to overnight here for two nights and it is so very quiet and peaceful.
We are actually parked in a back parking lot of a mall but you are so far from the mall that you have no idea of the existence of the mall nor the traffic coming and going. This is just a tiny bit of paradise in the middle of Eugene. A bit of heaven on earth. The sign reads "Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." by Norman Maclean.
There are five miles of paths for bikers, runners and walkers. I would love to live near here.
There are over 145 species of wildlife along these walkways. The new camera had a fabulous zoom.
Love those colors.
Mamma sitting on her nest, very well hidden.
To her right, Papa stands guard.
Yes, spring is in the air.
A real cutie.
Well we think this is the perfect overnight stop. What do you think?
Wednesday is a 325 mile drive from Eugene to Marysville, Washington.
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I love it! Looks like the best, most peacful stop so far. Glad the mechanical difficulties are mile behind you both. Enjoy the rest of the trip!
Oh Renee, how we miss you guys. It was a peaceful stop but way too North for you guys.
George..it was Colin….I wimped out and went to bed.
Kelly…SNOW is a 4 letter word…as is RAIN, that we are in.
Connie..a hidden gem is the perfect way to describe it. I will wave to your Uncle John as we pass by, just as I did last year.
Marty…Eugene just seemed to have a magical quality to it.
Sandy…..thanks for all your wonderful comments….I am still a work in progress with the new camera.
Colleen…you and the Longdogs would love it.
Jean…you are always in our hearts when we stop here. Mille Gracias.
Cheryl….thanks for your intentions…..we actually don’t eat out much but do from time to time with a great recommendation like yours.
Nice pictures of the eclipse that you got, or was it Colin?
I’d be tempted to stay the 2 nights….so nice. Nice moon shots…could not see it from here. Snowing !!
What a great spot to enjoy on your way home – a hidden gem for sure. Nice photos – we couldn’t see the eclipse here because of cloudy skies. Love your spring photos – cute turtle on a log – ahhhh! Wave to my Uncle John and cousins as you pass by Bellingham.
Eugene has always looked like a good place to live, I have friends who are from there and friends that moved back there. Spring comes a lot sooner than it does in our Montana high desert.
Love the photos – you and your new camera are a team that will be hard to beat. Especially love the turtle on the log and the truck towing truck gave both of us a chuckle. Much closer to home – safe travels all the way.
A lovely restful overnight.s
We stopped overnight again this year, you are right; after coming up I-5 it is a lovely spot to stop and
relax. You will soon be at your wonderful lakeside home.
I was going to e-mail you and let you know about Valley River Mall, but you already knew. I love it there. In the past, they would let you stay longer.
It’s too bad you were in such a hurry – there’s a fantastic Japanese restaurant downtown. Also, a great brewpub right on the river.
Safe travels!