2nd Highest Fall in Oregon

June 25-27, 2019

Dexter Shores RV Park, Eugene, Oregon

Day 11-13

Left Coos Bay around 9:30am and arrived at Dexter, near Eugene, at 1pm. Took route 38 at Reedsport. I guess they had a horrible winter, because they are still doing road cleanup work from all the downed trees! Partly rainy morning, no real traffic unless there was a traffic break for tree removal. Roads are still in really great condition. Stopped in Elkton, the halfway point...cute little town, picked up some wine. The drive has been beautiful.

Dexter RV is exactly like what you would expect from an older residential RV camp. A little too residential if you know what I mean. My RV is the nicest in the bunch. The receptionist was so nice even though she said their sewer was not working. Thankfully, I won't be needing those services this stop. There was an interesting guy in the lobby (Barry) who ends up being my neighbor. He tried to make friends with Sparky, but Sparky wasn't interested.

My neighbor Barry’s awning is held together with duct tape…that should give you a visual of what this camp looks like. My spot is on a slope, ugh. I need to work on leveling before I unhitch. This spot is challenging and it takes me a few minutes to park. It's not good if the trailer is not level, not only because it feels awkward, but because it can be a problem for the mechanics and the cabinets.

After unhitching, I get my Eugene list out that Lison made for me (my hairdresser extraordinaire of Vierra & Friends in Cole Valley, SF)!! Eugene is just 20 minutes away. Plugged in all the addresses, got my bearings and ventured off! Went to 5th Street Market, Oak St Vintage, Tradewinds for lunch (dog friendly😊), drove thru Whitaker and finally up to Skinner Butte Park. Skinner Butte Park had a great view over Eugene but had over a dozen kids hanging out, drinking and skateboarding, so we didn’t get out of the truck (morning would probably be a better time to visit). The weather is warm, around 75+ and mostly sunny skies, with rain on the way. The city is really green with lots of flowers and cute homes. This seems like an affordable place to live. It’s a college town so you get a variety of people too. The only negative was the number of homeless I saw downtown. So many, but not as bad as SF, but more than I would have thought. On the drive back to camp I had an amazing view of blue skies with the sun shining on the forest, contrasted by huge rain clouds shading the forest. It was so beautiful. And the music on the radio was terrific too. Thank goodness for college towns, always some good music to listen to.

Day 2 in Eugene was awesome. I got to meet Lison’s 92-year-old mother, Pat! She’s a firecracker and still lives by herself. We visited for a while at her house before heading off to lunch at Tacovore. Fortunately, she was able to get into my truck!!! We had such a nice time visiting I invited her to go with me to Salt Creek Falls (neighbor Barry suggested it), about 1 hour away.

This is the 2nd highest fall in Oregon. The weather had turned fantastical!!! Rain, hail, thunder and lightning!! We felt so safe in the truck - big tires, 4 wheel drive... By the time we got to the falls, the rain had stopped. What a magnificent waterfall. I stayed away from the railing overlooking the waterfall (remember my comment about the gondola at Trees of Mystery). Only two other cars were in the parking lot. It was worth the trek, and I got some great photos of her mom. We had a great time; she reminded me of my mom who passed away a few years ago. Really sweet person. I can see where Lison gets her kindness and sense of happiness from.

I saw a rainbow when I got back to camp. What a perfect day! Weather report says thunder storms for tomorrow morning. I am off to Bend tomorrow, so I decided to hitch up tonight to be safe. For some reason, my hitch was not level with the trailer, and I start to freak. So, I knocked on Barry’s door for help. We figured out that it was because my stabilizer blocks where still under my stabilizer feet. (You put those on after you unhitch and remove before you hitch. I'm still a newbie and learning!) Thank goodness we got that figured out. It was great he was there, but he did lean in for a hug which was a little awkward. I gave him a half hug and eventually shook his hand goodnight.