Defender of the Fatherland Day is a Russain army holiday of one form or another. Ive know Nik of www.NiksonOverland.com For some time now. He and his comrades celebrate this by heading up to Olallie Lake here in Oregon and camping for the weekend. Ice Fishing, sacrificial Lambs, Vodka. You know ;)
I had the 04 Subaru coming in Saturday so I had only a couple days to spend in camp. I decided to take the opportunity to camp, make dinner, hang out, and enjoy the good company.
I left town around noon Thursday the 22nd.
At the gas station I saw a familiar sight. The old Mustang! This is the rig my parents bought when I was 15. They told me if i could fix it and get it restored i could learn to drive in it, and take it to high school. I have still never drove it. After I did my part they sold it :( WahWah Still, it started me down the path that leads to where I am now. I get a warm feeling every time I see her.
After fueling up I stopped by the Airport to see Tessa and grab a bite to eat on my way out. The omens were getting good! I was taking it as a sign.
I wanted a Heavy Breakfast.
After, I was headed out of town. Fully loaded, gassed up and ready to freeze. MUWAHAHAHAH
I Got to Detroit and headed North towards The loop. It had been snowing since Stayton and snow on the ground all over the place just after Salem. I knew it was going to be great for snow conditions. I followed a plow up to about the hotsprings on 46. As I rounded the corner up the road past the plowing maintenance. I saw a man standing on the corner/in the ditch above me. My stereo was jamming and I was kinda mashing it for camp. It took me a double take and him hollering at me for me to stop LOL. he said he was stuck and asked if I had a "Chain"
I gladly headed up the hill to help him. He was in a new jeep Renagade that he got about 2 weeks prior he said. Not to far off the road but on a uphill corner and pined against a tree. I decided to winch him out instead of snap pulling him and risking further damage.
If You have a rig like this, and tires like this. Take chains and a shovel. Period. Had I not been up it could have been a rough night. It was fixing to be -10* that night. I got Him winched up an onto the road. I pulled by him and nosed him hard passenger and down the hill. Then we hooked back up to him and pulled it around the rest of the way with the jeep. No Worries at all.
I Decided it was a good idea to air down here. . .
After hitting 7psi it drove right out. we got back down to the plowed road an Terry set off. Glad he got out safe! I then set off for the top of the pass and down the backside in search of camp. I told myself to take it easy, and enjoy the ride. most of the time I have the whole family, and we need to get to our destination asap. It was a refreshing change to chill and take it slow at my own pace, with no group pushing or pulling me.
Shot from the Power Lines @ Skyline Loop Rd.
From here on down the back side the snow got better and better. Beautiful!
I rolled into camp and got a big hug from the host! Found a spot that looked good, and quickly got stuck in a drift trying to smash a spot to put up my junk. Had a blast digging myself out as some on lookers wondered "Is he really having fun with that?" I WAS!
We hung out around the fire a bit. There were some random fireworks, and lots of Russian talk. Im sorry for completely botching you name around the campfire. Nik' tried his best to get me to say it right. alas, im a yank to the core LOL. I have decided to call you goulash, because you name is spicy like goulash. heheh. What can I say, Armenians right!?!? It was great to meet you all! I had a blast hanging out!
After Dark I got hungry and headed to my shanty to make some foods. Turns out, as usual, my eyes were bigger than my stomach.
kielbasa Spicy rice. MMMMM
I Took leftover out to share but most had gone to snow wheel while I was in the tent cooking. I was kinda bummed as i had fuel this time out. But I was in good company and having a great time regardless of anything. How can you complain?
I headed down to the lake to see if i could get some good night shots. I've been playing with my settings on my 200$ camera jobber. It does great for what I use it for.
I headed to bed rather than freeze my way back to the fire after cleaning up. I slept till 3:30 Am when I woke up cold and cramped from sleeping W/O moving for several Hrs. It was COLD. I about passed out when I herd a rig start. I woke again at 6:30am. The Sun was coming up, and that rig was still running. It was COLD! I mustered a fire and a pot of coffee before setting off to snap some sunrise pics of the lake.
My fingers froze instantly, the good camera would not turn on, and it took me 2hrs to get my toes to thaw. Still, the view was well worth the chill, and dip in the snow drift i took on the way down to get a look.
After Another Pot Of Coffee I went back for some sun up pics, it was sooo much warmer in the sun. (still -3*at this point)
It was a Beautiful Morning on the Lake!!!
Most of the campers were getting up and about to check on one and other. All seemed to be well in camp and people were eating and getting coffee/tea'd up for the day!
I hung out by the fire a bit, Then Nik' says something about bringing the Lamb out. Wait, WhAt?!? Yeah that's right. Lamb Roast over an open fire! These guys know how to do it!
Damn I wish I had the time to stay to help them eat it. So Crazy Cool! Way to be Nik' And I Dub this lamb "50 Shades Lamb" you had to have been there. I gave Nik' the vid, well see if he posts it LOL.
I got all my stuff packed up, fired the jeep up(she was pissed) it took over an Hr for it to come up to operating temp. Before I left I went to drink some coffee and hang out with the fellas Ice Fishing. Yes, Ice Fishing In Oregon!!!
Creepy or what?
So Very Cool, cold, Frozen balls. W/E lol. It was actually really warm out there in the sun. i almost fell asleep in my chair on the lake.
It was time for me to go. cresting 3pm, I had no choice. Said my goodby's and headed out. It was such a nice day, I hated it and drove slow as heck.
Tell me it was not worth it, and that there is no way. I love it!
Cant Wait till the next trip out. There might be a Redwoods Trip coming up soon. Stay tuned, we would love to see you out there.
I aired up at the hotsprings. ill say this. if you have a Prius, lets take it wheeling. Its a thing. . . 3 minivans and one woman taking chains off her BMW offered to help me. That was nice. I slammed my last cup of coffee, changed my shoes, aired up and hit the highway. What a great couple days.
Take care, and stay warm!
Bronze.