Oregon Part 3: The McKenzie River

As we left Eugene, we seemed to follow the McKenzie River for quite a while.  It would be flowing next to more dream houses on our right, then suddenly be gone, only to reappear on our left a while later.  

 

Eventually we saw a spot to pull over, and it turned out be a little trail through the trees next to the river.  We got out and walked down to get a closer look at the water.

 

It was so pretty.  The water was so clean looking, and the current was pretty strong, so it was nice to listen to the sound of it rushing by.

There were cute cabins on the other side of the water, that you didn't notice right away because they were hiding in the trees.  Some had little decks or balconies.  I was imagining sitting out there drinking coffee and watching the river. 

We went for a little hike on the trail. 

 

Reed rode for a bit...

 

...and then walked.

I mentioned Eugene being my favorite city we visited, but this was my favorite place, the whole trip.  It felt like we were walking in the setting of a fairy tale.

The pictures don't do it justice.  So much prettier, and the moss(I know I can't stop talking about all the moss) made the ground feel like walking on soft carpet. 

 

 

 

I LOVED finding this tree.  

Reed was nervous about getting in with me so he wasn't as happy for this picture as I was.  :)

 

 I could write about this place all day, but I won't.  I'll just say it's where our dream cabin might just have to go one day.  :)

Eventually we dragged ourselves back to the car and continued our drive to Bend.  The river disappeared, and the trees got really close and dense for a while.

 Gradually they started to thin, and change to the type we are used to seeing in the Hualapais or near Flag.  

I knew Bend was the high desert, but the closer we got I was pretty amazed at how similar it looked to our drive to Flagstaff.  I'll post about Bend soon.