My extended family went camping this last weekend on the South Umpqua River and explored the area around our usual camping and swimming spot. We were surprised to find a tunnel under the road with a small fish ladder running through it and a pool in front of it. The site is actually marked as a salmon spawning habitat, and the spawn must have happened recently because I spotted a salmon head floating in the water. I wish the picture captured how beautiful the spot really is, but I’m more of a writer than a photographer. The water was blue and deep in the pool and green foliage surrounded all of it.

Here’s the view looking out from the tributary and pool.

We had a great time but the three days flew by. The spot where we camp is right next to the river, and there’s a channel carved into the riverbed rock. It makes a fun place to jump in and ride the current down for a ways.

We also spotted a new plant this year that looked rather ghostly.

My sister Karen researched it and found this interesting blog all about it:

http://seabrookeleckie.com/2009/07/10/forest-spirits/

It’s related to the blueberry plant! I’ll let you go read the post.

For my next adventure I’m headed over to Eastern Oregon. It always feels like a different state to me because it’s so very different than this side of Oregon. We have towering trees and streams while Eastern Oregon has scrub brush, desert and beautiful rock formations. Happy travels to everyone this summer!