Smith Rock State Park is located in near Redmond, Oregon...not too far from our campground in Bend. For more information, click
here. We were just about to our destination, look what we saw! A huge alpaca farm! I see babies there too. Always good to see sheep or alpaca....can you tell I'm an avid knitter??
Smith Rock is very popular, especially with climbers. The parking lot was full when we got there...just a few spaces left....and it was Monday morning!
 |
| A huge alpaca farm |
 |
| Smith Rock State Park up ahead |
 |
| turkey vultures snacking |
Though noted for climbing, there are nice trails as well. We walked along the river trail, enjoying the views and the river. While we were there, a film crew was filming for Oregon State Parks or "Outdoor Oregon" or something like that. The film crew was way up on the parking lot side of the river, and a guy riding a bike had to continually go back and forth down the hill, across the bridge and down the river trail as per the "director". It was fun to watch. The biker was really friendly too. We were talking to him a bit while he was waiting for his next "take".
 |
| beautiful view from the top |
 |
| a climbers paradise |
 |
| the views are really nice |
 |
| ready to head down to the river walk? |
 |
| watch behind you Tom...the dark clouds are coming |
 |
| ready to head down to the river Susie? |
 |
| so picturesque |
 |
| sweet |
 |
| very nice |
Once we walked down the hill to the river, we crossed over the bridge to access the trail. This is also where most of the climbers go as well-the sheer rock surfaces are right next to the path. There are climbers on much of the rock surfaces!
 |
| okay...down at the river now |
 |
| nice trail |
 |
| that's what we came down to get to the river...we took the zig zag shortcut in the middle of the picture...quite steep and slippery! |
 |
| can you hear that babbling water? |
We stopped walking several times just to watch the climbers. There were quite a few out there. Impressive! Though it looks like a peaceful area, with that gorgeous scenery, it is actually quite exciting. You can hear the climbers talking and giving directions or encouragement...and it all echoes. Quite a place!
 |
| climbing across the river....i think that's the climbing instruction |
 |
| lots of folks over there ready to climb |
 |
| another view of the climbers |
 |
| close up |
 |
| this guy is pretty high up on on a different climbing wall |
 |
| this park is prepared for climbers...who will hopefully never need this |
 |
| climbers |
 |
| close up |
Of course, there were a fair amount of hikers as well. The park is very well used, and we were told its really crowded on a weekend. I believe it. We were visiting on a Monday with a very cloudy/rainy forecast, and the parking lot was packed when we got there around 10. We really enjoyed our little walk....and observing nature....and climbers!
 |
| walking on the trail right under the climbers |
 |
| cool rock |
 |
| very scenic |
 |
| flora |
 |
| fauna (a peek at a vulture eating something down there) |
 |
| more flora |
 |
| sheer rock face |
 |
| with climbers |
 |
| these guys made it to the top |
 |
| they are at the top of the column in the middle of the pic |
 |
| moving right along |
 |
| still following the river |
 |
| lots of lava rocks here |
 |
| awesome colors on the sheer rock faces on this side of Smith Rock |
 |
| beau-ti-ful |
 |
| think the weather will hold up? |
 |
| pleasant hike |
 |
| more flora |
 |
| love those colors....we are on the trail looking up at the rock balancing on the hill |
 |
| and what is that??? A tightrope type of thing?? I don't even want to know! |
The skies really started to darken, so we turned around and headed back. We had perfect timing. By the time we got back to our car, the skies opened up and there was a deluge for about a half hour. We had our picnic in the shelter of our car.
 |
| heading back |
 |
| just beautiful....but those dark clouds are moving in fast |
 |
| Canadian geese were very loud |
 |
| this guy flew up on top of the rock....when in Rome! I guess even the geese are into rock climbing! |
 |
| scenic |
 |
| there's just something about that tree!! |
 |
| Cool pic of cattails next to the river (the river has bubbles in it from the little rapids) |
 |
| what a view...and the dark clouds are zooming in |
 |
| "just hanging out" |
 |
| "what was I thnking?????" |
 |
| okay...just need to walk back up that steep hill to the top and parking lot |
By the time we were done with lunch, the rain turned to drizzle and we went back out to explore another overlook. We were told there was a bald eagle's nest, and we tried to spot it...to no avail.
We really enjoyed our visit to Smith Rock.
 |
| view around the rock |
 |
| pretty walk at the top |
 |
| looking for an eagles nest we heard was around here |
 |
| just cool...a study in textures and colors |
As we drove by the alpaca farm again, I couldn't resist taking some more pics of them. They are so cute with all their fur. Too bad I did not see the "We're open" sign as we drove past. We could have stopped in for a bit! Maybe purchased a little bit of alpaca...like I don't have enough yarn!
 |
| Oh hey....they were open! |
 |
| love that one in the middle...hhhahaha |
 |
| wonder when the shearing is |
Instead, we went to the mountain town of Sisters. What a cute town! Lots of shopping and restaurants...and I know a lot of my sisters and friends would love it here! We stopped in the Visitor's Center to get oriented. Every summer, the town hosts a Quilt Show, and quilts are hung from all the buildings, etc. all over town. Its very famous-I've even heard of it before coming here. Its a big deal. The woman in the Visitor Center told us all the hotel rooms are booked for that week a year in advance! There are classes and other fun stuff going on for that week, but the show itself is only one day! For more information, click
here.
No comments:
Post a Comment