Deschutes River in a Double Dedication with Marie-claire Gallet

(NOTE: as a "365" this picture was uploaded too late to count. We lost all of our internet last night and couldn't post until this morning. Thus, today I will be posting two pictures!)

This morning I'm trying a new experiment! Remember the picnic table in my last post? That's where I'm sitting right now! And why not? I have a laptop, the table is in the shade, and it's much more interesting to be outside than in, right? Being immersed in this pretty place instead of inside my fluffy nest is a total win, I'm discovering! (If you don't know, I sleep in the lower bunkbed of our RV…it's a lovely little nest for me; Steve sleeps in the bed up front because he snores and this arrangement is perfect for us!)

It's sunny with a bright blue sky and all around me are dappled shadows of the tree trunks and pine clusters on the silty dirt around me. It's still chilly but I prepared myself by wearing a sweater and a hat and I'm perfectly comfortable as I take in the scene around me.

Once again the smell of warming pine forest is nearly intoxicating. To me, this smell is synonymous with summer fun because I've only smelled it in campgrounds, on hikes, or up at my parent's summer cabin which is nestled in the middle of a redwood forest. There's no way to feel anything other than bubbly and happy with such associations!

Beyond this strip of forest in front of me is one of the well-appointed camp bathrooms. It's really nice and has a set of large bathrooms and showers for each gender including a set for both/neutral. I've been watching people come and go and can't help feeling lucky that our RV has its own bathroom and shower.

The smells of bacon, eggs, sausage and toast are drifting around now and I can hear bits of conversation from folks getting ready for the day, whether that means more adventures here or else preparing for the 11am checkout perhaps homeward bound.

I've seen one robin but it flew off before I could get its picture. The trees are brimming with twittering birds of seemingly countless variety, though I've only seen the robin. It's so nice to hear the wildlife though.

Ok, I gotta be honest here. I'm on the lookout for CHIPPERS. Thinking about sitting at the picnic table immediately had me hoping I might see another darling chipmunk and get its picture.

I saw one flash by and disappear back into the bushes soon after I sat down but it didn't come back.

SCORE!! Just now I was the victim of a CHIPPER AMBUSH!! Out of the blue a little guy came zooming up to me and then around the table, here and there, up ON the table and then AWAY! All in the course of a minute! I had my camera ready…I thought. Heh. You'll see my useable attempts including the blurry shot. LOL, cute little devil. I'll keep trying for better pictures. Cross your fingers for me! :)

Steve just poked his head out. "We have no power." Oh no…

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Steve has been to the camp host and back again to find out what's going on. No power for the entire park which also means no water. No answers either. I guess the power must have gone out soon after I went out to write my post. I'm back I'm back in my nest now as it was too bright to be on my laptop anymore.

Unlike me, Steve can't have his shower like I did, nor can he have anything other than a cold breakfast. Our morning energy-juice, aka espresso, isn't possible without power either so we're a bit stuck until things are restored.

Hmm, thinking about the activity outside, I now understand why there was such a steady stream to the bathrooms! It seemed a bit odd because most RVs have bathrooms and most of the people camping around here are in RVs. Suffice to say I was a bit confused.

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It's 11am and power's been restored, hooray! While we waited, I went on a bike ride around the "South" and "Middle" loops of the campground which was great fun! I ended up going on four laps because it was such a nice way to get some morning exercise and wake up my body. I also enjoyed watching folks walk around and start their day. People were walking their dogs, taking a stroll, and I could see them having breakfasts of all sorts at their picnic tables. It was fun to see.

We had some serious concerns in regards to the power situation. It gets very warm here and that means our RV gets hot, and we must have the AC to make sure it stays cool enough for Pumpkin. Without the ability to regulate the temperature, we can't leave her in the trailer unattended. Likewise, if it's too hot outside, our options are further limited to the running cab of our truck, which would then be the only AC available.

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We went on an amazing bike ride this evening, the picture I'm sharing is one of the lovely views! Can't write anymore! :D *HUGS PAM*!