Oregon Makes 49!

After we stayed in our first campground in Oregon, we have officially now camped in the 49 states we can drive to! That took three years. We left Maryland toward the end of October 2022.

Now we will be seeing places we missed or that we want to see again. We're definitely more laid back about planning. We're just making reservations the day before we leave a place and it's working out well in making our way south.

We arrived in Prospect Oregon to stay at Crater Lake RV Park for a week on 28 October 2025.  About an hour after we were settled in, our friends Darrell and Joanie arrived and were in the site next to us (sort of perpendicular).  It was so good to see them and start catching up.  Joanie had made several meals before they left Montana to heat up for meals at the campground.  We had gotten a dozen raw oysters the day before at Coos Bay, so we had raw oysters for an appetizer and then a delicious entrée of manicotti.  We were expecting rain toward the end of our week there, so we tried to see as much as we could in the first days.  The campground manager had given us a nice list of places to see with maps and details to find them.  It turned out to be a useful aid in our site seeing.

On Wednesday 29 October we went for a drive to see Crater Lake National Park which was about 35 miles from our campground.  The rim road of the crater was closed due to snow, so we couldn’t go up to that elevation.  The view of the lake was spectacular.  There was quite a bit of snow at that level too, but we managed to get good pictures of the lake and a gift store was even open.  Since something was open we went in to warm up and ended up getting hot drinks except for Darrell who got an ice cream bar.  Anita enjoyed the hot chocolate.  After leaving Crater Lake, we drove to see the Rogue River Gorge and the Natural Bridge.  The Natural Bridge is a lava tube formed by the Rogue River, located about nine miles north of Prospect.  The Rogue River Gorge Viewpoint is along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway which was not far from our campground.  That evening we had a campfire and enjoyed talking and relaxing.  Joanie made another delicious meal for us and we were all pretty tired by 7:30pm.  It was getting dark early and with the sun down it was cold.

On our drive to Prospect Oregon 28 October 2025

Mt. McLoughlin 9493 ft.

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

West entrance

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

They get alot of snow if this pole is any indication...

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Us with Joanie and Darrell

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Us with Joanie and Darrell

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

Steve and Darrell

Crater Lake National Park - 29 October 2025

This disabled EV was there on our way in and out the park...

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Gorge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Natural Bridge - 29 October 2025

Rogue River Natural Bridge - 29 October 2025

On Thursday 30 October we drove to find Flounce Rock.  The Internet describes Flounce Rock “as a prominent rock formation in Jackson County, Oregon, near Prospect, known for its high elevation and panoramic views of Lost Creek Lake and the surrounding area. Accessible via a gravel road that can be rough, it is used for communication towers and offers access to the Baker Cypress Grove, a rare and rare "fire-born" tree grove”.  We also found a cemetery up there!  We had to drive through a residential area and we weren’t sure we were on the right road, but we finally reached the top and it was breathtaking. 

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Lost Lake Reservoir

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Flounce Rock - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

After getting back down to the highway, we decided to go to see the waterfalls that were near our campground in Prospect.  Mill Creek Falls and Barr Creek Falls were especially nice to see with Fall colors in the leaves.  It was a nice 1.5 mile round trip hike and we all enjoyed it.  That evening we had another campfire and more good food. 

Mill Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Mill Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Mill Creek Falls - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

173 ft. falls

Mill Creek Falls - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Us with Darrell and Joanie

Mill Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Barr Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Barr Creek Falls - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

242 ft. falls

Barr Creek Falls - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Barr Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Native Madrone Trees were everywhere also called Refrigerator tree

Barr Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Broadleaf and Vine Maple trees

Barr Creek Falls Trail - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Rogue River Big Boulders - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Avenue of the Boulders

Rogue River Overlook - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Rogue River Overlook - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Rogue River Avenue of the Boulders - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Rogue River Avenue of the Boulders - Prospect Oregon - 30 October 2025

Friday 31 October  we ventured out to see Klamath Falls.  It turned out that Klamath Falls is a city along Klamath River and Lake and there were no waterfalls to see. We got back to the campground around 5ish and Steve cooked some Halibut from our Alaska trip. 

On drive to Klamath Falls Oregon - 31 October 2025

Mt. McLoughlin

On drive to Klamath Falls Oregon - 31 October 2025

Mt. McLoughlin

Saturday 1 November we hung around the campground as rain was in the forecast for that afternoon.  That morning we went for a hike on the trail right outside the campground.  The trail was nice and flat and we could go as far as we wanted.   We went about 2 miles round trip and then hung around the campsites and played games.  It was a nice relaxing day after so much driving the day before. 

On Sunday 2 November we went to see another attraction on the campground suggestions called Rabbit Ears. The Internet says:

 “Along the Rogue-Umpqua Scenic Byway you can see two huge volcanic outcrops which look like rabbit ears when viewed from the highway. Rising over 5,800 feet from the valley floor, the two behemoth crags jutting from the earth at a slight angle to each other give the outcrop its apt name. Climbers can enjoy an alpine rock-climbing experience and spectacular views of the cascades.

They are accessible by 5+ miles of forest service roads, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle as parts of the gravel road are often like washboards and sometimes part is washed out. No motorhomes or low clearance vehicles should even try it!”

Steve and Anita watched mass on TV since there were no Catholic churches nearby. 

Rabbit Ears from the highway - 2 November 2025

On the drive to Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

On the drive to Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Us with Darrell and Joanie

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Darrell

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Mt. McLoughlin in distance

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Rabbit Ears - 2 November 2025

Sunset at our campground 2 November 2025

On Monday 3 November, Steve washed our truck and when he was done we played games and watched the rain fall later that afternoon.  We were all leaving the next day, so we enjoyed not driving anywhere that day.  We had more good food and good times.

Tuesday 4 November, we got up early to say goodbyes to our friends.  They were planning to drive 500 miles that day of their 700-mile trip home.  We feel truly blessed to have friends who would drive that distance to see us. As I write this, I have confirmed that Darrell and Joanie have made it home to Montana.