On my way to the Oregon Coast, I stopped for a night in a National Forest campground near the Three Sisters Mountains.
The campground had a nice pull-through site, so I did not unhook the car.
A trail led from the campground through the woods to nearby Black Butte. The trail is also used for horses and bikes.
Black Butte is a 6,436-foot cinder cone which as a trail around the base and to the top. We did not hike all the way to the base. The whole trail is over 14 miles.
In the morning we traveled the mountains by way of Santiam Pass. This is a viewpoint of Mt. Washington, shrouded in clouds. The burn damage is the result of a 2003 lightening-caused fire.
Most of the trip over the mountains was in light rainfall. This pass is part of a Scenic Byway, with lots of interesting-sounding stops. I did not stop often because of the rain, and because Thistle had a grooming appointment in Eugene at noon.
I did pull over at one pretty mountain lake to see what was there.
A merganser was fishing and some geese were nearby.
More rain and fog...
As we descended into the valley, the conifers gave way to deciduous trees and the sun came out.
There is free overnight parking in downtown Eugene right beside the Willamette River greenway, and a couple blocks from Thistle's appointment at Petco. After his grooming we took a walk on the river trail.
This part of the trail runs through a wetlands area with lots of watchable wildlife. That's a Great Blue heron below.
There were pretty wildflowers too. I don't know what these are.
The River Trail. I met lots of bikers, walkers, and runners.
This is a Western Pond Turtle nesting area, so the sign says.
Apparently it's a Mallard nesting area too. Mama Mallard oversees the youngun's dabbling their way through the lily pads.
Wood ducks on the log and Mallard butts behind.
More geese and ducks and turtles.
Green heron
Two more Green Herons looking for food.
Did he catch something?
Yes!
The two Green Herons are in the green area and a Great Blue Heron is in front.
The River Trail
My free parking for the night. You can stay 2 nights free after you register with security.
Another part of the trail crosses the Willamette River.
There are several special hiker/biker bridges along the greenway.
On the other side is a large park.
I saw several apparently homeless people hanging out in the park. They have to leave at sunset.
Along the trail on this side of the river I passed a couple of community gardens.
It looks like the raspberries are ripe.
Children were feeding geese and ducks by the river.
There is a beautiful rose garden along the trail.
The award-winning Owen Rose Garden is free and open to the public.
The land was donated by George Owen who owned the property back in the 1950s.
Gracing the center of the garden is Owen Cherry Tree, planted circa 1847 by Eugene Skinner.
The trunk of the cherry tree.
Rose archway
There are some other flowers in the garden besides roses.
Have cat will travel...
Cormorant on the river.
Thistle liked this "city" camp.
