Our next stop is
Cove Palisades State Park, which is a immense lake in deep river canyons at the confluence of the Deschutes and Crooked River. Both rivers have cut deep narrow channels through basalt lava rock and even with the lake the walls of the canyon tower above us.
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| Basalt pillars on the canyon walls |
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After winding through the farm fields, we descend sharply into the state park. Even though the day is overcast and very hot (105 F) we are amazed by a beautiful waterfall flowing over the cliff.
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| Waterfall |
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| View down river from the bridge over the lake |
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After we find a nice campsite and it cools off (temperature drops under 100), we decide to explore the campground on an evening walk.
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| A tent camper by a huge lava boulder |
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| Party girls in their party boat that serves as a couch on land |
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Oregon State Parks are very pet friendly and we get a kick out of some of the hounds we meet. One is a young black spaniel whose mistress lets him off leash in the fenced dog area were the sprinklers are running. He's so happy to be both off leash and to run through the water, his whole body wiggles with joy. Later we meet a very friendly bulldog puppy.
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| Happy spaniel |
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| Mabel - the hot bulldog |
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The forecast is for possible thundershowers and clouds fill the sky for an evening show.
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| Please bring us some rain to break the heat |
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Sadly, the clouds go away without a single drop, but the next morning dawns clear and cooler (for awhile at least). We decide to hike up the trail to the rim, which is 600 feet above us, before the heat sets in.
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| Views of the canyon as we start to ascend |
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| The lake at about 500' above |
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The heat gets to me about a 100 feet short of the top, but Peter pushes on while I wait for him under a cool over hanging rock. Peter shot the following photos from the top rim.
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| Mount Saint Helens |
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| First boat out on the lake |
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| Overview of the canyons from top of rim |
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We both agree this is an interesting place that we should return when the weather's more to our liking.
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| View down Crooked River as we leave the park |
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