Idaho Sawtooth Mountains

I had never been to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho, but I had heard good things about the area. I was traveling with my van, with no campground reservations. I knew that most National Forests allow “Dispersed Camping,” meaning that if I could not find a site at a campground, I could stop at almost any clear space. As it turned out, I was able to find a site each night. I stayed in five different Idaho National Forest campgrounds, and all were excellent. 

A friend had recommended Baumgartner Campground, and I was headed there. On the way, I pulled the van over to take a picture of a lake (I looked it up and found out it is called Anderson Ranch Reservoir). A nice photo. 

Getting to Baumgartner Campground involved a long drive on a dirt road, but it was worth it. A previous occupant of my campsite had painted footprints on rocks on the forest floor. I liked that. 

I got pictures of a deer and a bull snake. 

On a hike, I went through wet patches that had beautiful orange dragonflies. I finally got some good pictures. iNaturalist says this is a Flame Skimmer Dragonfly. 

I drove through Stanley, ID, a small town, and got some nice pictures of the stream and the Sawtooths. 

I stayed at Lake Stanley campground and got a great picture of the lake in the early morning light. 

Between two campground loops I found teepees that kids had constructed out of fallen tree logs. 

I then drove to central Oregon, where, sequentially, I stayed with my brother-in-law George, my nephew David, and my niece Natalie. This is what is called “driveway camping.” Although I had offers to sleep in a spare room, it is easier to sleep in the van rather than gathering and schlepping my stuff into each house. 

I got some nice pictures at Smith Rock State Park. 

This is the Crooked River, and the Crooked River Railway Bridge. 

One evening, the entire family was at an outdoor spot with food trucks, microbreweries, and cornhole games (altogether a very Bend thing). My great-niece Clare was standing on a bench with the sun right behind her head, and she allowed me to take pictures of her. An interesting halo effect. 

I went on a hike with my nephews and my great-nephews near Mount Bachelor. 

This is a view of Broken Top Mountain. 

I got pictures of some birds. This is a California quail. 

This is a mountain chickadee. 

This is a Clark’s nutcracker. 

I got some great sunset pictures in Oregon. 

It was a great trip!