Newberry National Volcanic Monument

Captains Log August 14 – Another exciting day!

Today we were exploring Newberry National Volcanic Monument south of Bend, OR.  The

The last one

further south we drove, the worse the smoke was.  I took a series of photos as we drove and it was denser by the mile.

Bill had called a while back and verified the Lava River Cave was open and the ranger suggested we get there early as the last group in was at 3:45.  No problem!  We arrived in time to be in the second group of the day.  First they do an orientation about bats, perils in the cave, lighting (the lack of), contamination, etc. I thought it was a group tour, but it wasn’t.  They turn you loose to

Cave opening from the inside

go down into the cave and walk a mile to the end, then walk back.  It’s called a lava cave because it was a tube from a volcano 80,000 years ago and the end is open like a cave.  The temperature in the cave is 42, there is NO lighting, rocky pathway, and low ceilings in some spots. 

While I did a bathroom run before heading in, Bill paid our fee and rented big flashlights for us.  It’s a good thing as I hadn’t remembered to get our flashlights or my headlamp before we got on the road.  I doubt our flashlights would have been light enough in there so rented lights were the best option.  It was difficult to take photos with my Nikon while using the light and watching the walkway.  Geez – I needed one more arm!  Also, I could have used a jacket as I only took a chambray long sleeve shirt to wear over my t-

Nice walkway to get started

shirt! 

I am disappointed in my pictures as people were moving in both directions in the cave with their lights and as soon as I’d be ready to snap a photo there would be a light bomb!  The floors were smooth in some areas but not all the way.  Bill was having trouble with the walkway with passing people and said he’d sit and wait for me to go to the end, but I asked people returning if it looked any different further along and they said it was the same all the

Bill in the cave

way, so there was no reason to continue.  So we went about 1/2 mile in and then back so we got in a mile for sure today.

Exiting the cave was like hitting a heat bomb!  We sat on the bench at the outside of the cave and took off the extra clothing and rested for a few minutes.  As soon as we sat down my phone chirped a couple of messages.  I text back and after a few minutes rest we walked back up the path and turned in our lanterns and walked to the truck.  It was an awesome experience and I’d highly recommend it.

We stopped briefly at the visitor center as we had been there 2 years ago and did the bus trip to the top of the cone but today was so smoky they were still running it but telling

Wall inside the cave

guests you might not see anything due to the smoke.

Time to head back into Bend!  As we were deciding where to start there, I realized my phone was missing.  Bill called it and it didn’t get answered.  We knew I had it when we exited the cave.  I used Bill’s phone to track its location and it showed it in the Deschutes Forest, which is where we were so we turned around and they had closed then entrance as the smoke was worse and they were closing the park.  Bill pulled up along the side of the entrance and I walked in and

My cave flash bomb

as soon as I got to the check in booth the young lady asked if I was looking for a phone!  I told her I was and it was red and she had it sitting right there.  What a relief!

With that bit of drama done for the day, I was ready to get my shopping done, have lunch and head back to the RV.  We made stops at Bed, Bath and Beyond, World Market and Walmart. 

We also made a stop at Flyte Camp Vintage Trailers and Restorations.  We knew it would be closed but Bill watches their program on TV and wanted to at least see the place.  We took some photos and I looked up a place nearby for lunch.  We had brisket with sides at a food truck at a brewery!  It was warm out but we were under cover at the brewery and had plant misters mist us on and off!  The brisket was good but Bill didn’t like his cole slaw but my broccoli salad was delish!

We stopped at some point during the day at Goodwill and found 3 books and listened to a lady get riled and rude because the sign said “Masks Required” and she wasn’t wearing one.  What a B she was to the personnel!  She kept stating if they required masks they should provide them!   I was close to joining the fray, but knew Bill would not like me getting involved.  She was flat out rude and stupid! 

Most of the stores here do require masks so I don’t understand people who don’t keep one in the car!

It was good to get home!  I used my new griddle pan to cook our chicken skewers on for dinner and it worked great and didn’t warp like the last pan, of course this one was almost 3 times the price but well worth it!    I set up the Dish and we watched some TV for a change and called it a day!