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Saturday, July 7, 2018

To Lake Simtusus and Back, Vol. 1

Hi, there!  After a year's absence from this blog I'm, once again, intending to update more frequently.  I realize some folks visit here, but not my stamping blog, and vice versa.  I've been negligent, but life is full.  You know how it is.

So...  in June we took Wally and LuLu and ourselves on a most enjoyable vacation to a spot in north central Oregon called Lake Simtusus.  One of the main draws to this RV park is their relaxed attitude toward dogs.  No leashes required.  They trust you to know your dog's character, to keep them under control, and to pick up after them.  It works out beautifully.

We chilled and grilled and visited with other campers.  We walked a lot and the dogs swam a lot.  We drove to other areas for sight seeing, picnicking, and taking lots of pictures.  We putt-putted around the lake on a pontoon boat one afternoon and returned just in time to roll back the awning as a big wind blew in with an all-night thunderstorm.  We watched a movie every night and then drifted off to sleep with a CD in the player.  It was wonderful!

As a point of reference, I'll share a view of our campground location from across the lake.  Please take the time to click for a close up on these pics.  The country is far too grand to be viewed in miniature.




Looks like cowboy country, doesn't it?  In fact, the tops of those mesas are all ranch land and agriculture.  It's nothing like our Oregon coast, which is a tangle of nearly impenetrable green and water everywhere you turn.

Here's some of that chillin' and grillin':



Tired out from the day's activities, but Wally's got his eye on the dinner fixin's:




I mentioned we did a lot of walking, and you can see in the first photo how hilly the terrain is.  Well, the owners kindly provide golf carts on each level of the park in case you'd prefer to ride.  We mostly walked, but I'll tell you, those golf carts were fun, too!




It looks like Rich is thinking of taking the plunge, but I promise he wasn't as precariously close to the edge as it appears in the photo below.  We always checked out each area before letting the dogs out of the car.  They did not get out at this location!




Lake Simtusus is a dammed up area of the Deschutes River.  You can imagine how much deeper the gorge would be without the dam.  See how little traffic there is on this lake.  10 mph, no wake speed limit -- just the way we like it.




I'll have more scenery shots in a subsequent post, but I hope friends of Wally and LuLu will enjoy the next few photos.  It was that perfect "golden hour" when we stopped at the site below and I couldn't resist trying for some calendar and photo book shots.  Wish I'd taken more, but here are a few:








On the drive back to camp we stopped alongside the road so I could photograph some local flora:





And some visiting fauna:



I'll come back later with more scenery and different locations.  Thanks so much for coming along for the ride today!


29 comments:

  1. Wonderful photos!! Oh how I used to love taking my dog on holiday... We went to Scotland where she could enjoy a lot of space and play and many times stayed in log cabins in the wood... I loved it!

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  2. My goodness Leslie what a beautiful trip you had. I envy your countryside with the high cliffs and mountains, bodies of water and just your vast openness. We have very flat land where I live - really nothing to look at. Each picture tells a story, I can feel myself there! Looks like Lulu and Wally were for sure in their element - beautiful pictures of them :). I also love your flora pictures, and then of course the last picture of Lulu and Wally as if to say we are heading home, see you soon! Thanks so much for sharing these special memories of your trip, looking forward to seeing more. Isn't nature grand!

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  3. You made my day! This looks like a dream vacation for all 4 of you! What incredible scenery! I can see why it's a favorite spot! I envy you having mountains so close. Nebraska doesn't have anything remotely like a mountain! I'd be in pure heaven there! Thanks for sharing your little piece of heaven with us!

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  4. Ahhh...the pure beauty of God's creations! What a wonderful family trip you all had! I've missed seeing the beauty you capture so elegantly. Makes my heart VERY happy! Hugs and kisses to you all!

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  5. Wow! How beautiful and blessed you are to live so close to all that grandeur. So happy to see Wally and Lulu enjoying the adventures with you. Look forward to seeing more from your trips.

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  6. Oh my goodness, Leslie, they truly are the happiest doggie photos I've seen in a very long time! They are so beautiful! That does look like a wonderful place to relax and enjoy all that life has to offer. I also loved your thizzle photos! Thank you for sharing!! Hugs, Darnell

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  7. I can't believe I have never heard of Lake Simtusus. I just watched the video of the RV park. I bet you and Rich and the kids will be visiting again. Rich will want to try his hand at fishing. How fun for Wally and Lulu not having to be leashed. So much to do in the surrounding area too. I can't wait for you to share more of your photos, Leslie. TFS your beautiful and relaxing vacation. Hugs...

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  8. Beautiful scenery, Leslie. Your photos are fantastic. My favorite is the doggies in the car.

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  9. Thanks for letting us share your vacation with you. Your pictures are awesome and the stay sounds absolutely wonderful!

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  10. The close-ups are amazing, Leslie! And they are only representative of the true beauty found therein! Wow! What a lovely goal to visit the loveliness of our country's wilderness. I miss being able to do that, and find great reward in sharing through the photos of friends, such as yourself.Wally and Lulu obviously enjoy the adventures as well! I especially appreciated the thistle you photographed. At one time, I paid big money to include those in dry floral wreaths and arrangements I thrived on making, and gifting or selling at work. Marvelous - and thank you for sharing, Leslie! xx

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  11. I want a dog now!!! Maybe in dallas although mike's not keen. I'll show him these awesome pictures and see what he thinks.. gorgeous

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  12. What a wonderful trip! Very happy to see your pictures of life Golden.

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  13. Thanks so much for sharing your vacation. Isn't it wonderful how dogs never squint, or run for their sunglasses when the sun is full on their faces? Beautiful pictures, and I love that you share your pups with us.

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  14. I've missed you and your "kids!" Thanks for coming back! Loved the beautiful pictures.

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  15. OMG!! I just loved seeing these beautiful pictures! You must have had a woderful time and isn't it nice the spot was dog friendly!! I'm not familair with that area and it's nice to see all the scenery! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Wow what gorgeous photos! Looks like an awesome trip. I just love your goldens, and can't wait until I can get another. It's been a few years now and as soon as my hubby retires and we aren't on the road back and forth so much, it's the first thing on my list! Your RV looks like fun!

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  17. YIPPIE! The calendar pups along with their devoted parents are back in town. I missed the pics, hmm, and maybe both of you too. So glad you had a refreshing R&R year.

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  18. Awesome photos Leslie, thank you for sharing with us your fabulous vacation, looks like the doggies, you and your hubby are having wonderful time.
    Lulu and Wally are a pair of very lucky pups.
    Big hugs, my dear.
    Maria.

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  19. Amazing photos, yes I did make them ALL bigger to see every single detail!! Oregon looks beautiful and I can certainly see why you made the pups stay put in the truck in the one photo lol, though beautiful!! You have a pretty cool set up for your camper (love that rug) and it seems Wally and Lulu love it too!! What a fun fun trip it seems that was loved by all, I can hardly wait to see more photos and to see where your next adventure takes you!! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful trip!!

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  20. So nice to see Wally and Lulu 'out and about' ! That looks like a nice quiet camping spot with beautiful scenery all around you. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
    Lu C

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  21. WOW these are all FANTASTIC!! Beautiful scenery and the dogs were having such a wonderful vacation too! What a fun family time out with nature!! Awesome photos ... thanks for sharing! HUGS

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  22. How awesome that you and Rich share the same interest and mutual love of Wally and Lulu. You are blessed!
    Tell Rich to stay away from those cliffs. The photo made me queasy!

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  23. Oh wow you were in some amazing country there, and that is so great that you found a park that was so dog friendly, sounds perfect! You also captured some great calendar pictures that's for sure and I love the closeup of the pretty flowers too! Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Wonderful sights and so fun to see your happy puppies! We’re planning a trip from Colorado to Oregon coast in a week. I sure wish we could take Beulah. I always feel better when she’s with me. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!

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  25. Looks like a wonderful trip. My husband and I are planing a trip to Oregon in the fall. This wasn't on my radar, but I may need to reconsider the route I've mapped out!

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  26. ha ha Great job with the camera shot, but it does look like he is on the cliff. Never take the plunge though. Looks like a beautiful view and some fun trails especially for the puppies. I bet they loved sniffing all the new stuff. Just excited you guys have gotten out a few times in the new digs and enjoying it all. :-)

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  27. Leslie you’re so cute! I so wish I had the chance to hug you in person after all these years!

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