Moon Craters, Music, and Mystical Bliss

Five thousand miles in five weeks... wow, this is a big country. Following our adventures in the Rockies we continued to make our way westward, crossing the bottom of Idaho in a day. This route pretty much keeps to the Snake River valley, so we avoided climbing over the mountains yet again, passing through such bustling towns as Mud Lake, Picabo, and Corral (blink once and you could miss all three of them). We took a short break to check out Craters of the Moon National Monument. We both joked that this must be where they send park rangers when they have really screwed up somewhere else. The landscape is terrifically bleak and a long way from anything.

We enjoyed learning about the crazy geology and volcanic activity of the area. It gave a chance to stretch our legs and reinforce our desire to find a warm dry hotel room for the night.

The next day we got off to and early start and crossed eastern Oregon. Again, we were stunned by the stark beauty of the landscape, dry mountains rising from the twisted river valleys, and then the flat high elevation desert and scattered buttes farther to the west. We passed through the city if Bend and then into the foothills of the Cascades to the small town of Sisters, Oregon.

As luck would have it, we timed our travels just perfect to make it to the Sisters Folk Festival, which ran from Friday night through Sunday. We had learned of the festival earlier this summer after attending our local summer festival, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in Hillsdale, NY. There we were totally blown away by a Welsh performer, Martyn Joseph, who we hadn't seen before. After checking out his touring schedule we realized he would be at this little festival in Oregon at about the time we were passing through. What a great find, we had just an incredible time. It made the perfect break from all the driving and hiking. We camped in a small town park campground and walked into the different venues which were located through out the town.

We managed to see four sets of Martyn Joseph and become more devoted fans with each outstanding performance. Check out his music if your interested in politically/socially conscience acoustic music that will bring to tears one moment and to your feet in the next.

Ray Wylie Hubbard

Slaid Cleaves

It was three days of great music - enjoying music from old favorites to new artists that we haven't seen before.

We reluctantly left the festival, although not too reluctantly, our next destination was Breitenbush Hot Springs. Along the way, we stopped to do a short day hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. We hiked a beautiful trail from McKenzie Pass south to a pair of lovely alpine lakes at the base of the Three Sisters Peaks.

Late in the afternoon we arrived at the hot springs - with a joyful sigh. We have been here twice before, so in a way it was like coming home. You walk through the gate and immediately all the tension and negative thoughts of life seem to melt away. We spent three days soaking, steaming, sleeping, and eating... in perfect bliss. The last night there was even a funky dance party - shake your booty! There really isn't anyplace quite like it, more in the vogue of rustic hippy commune and less spa chic. It's located on an out lot parcel, surrounded by old growth wilderness.

All meals are vegetarian and served in the old main lodge. It's not fancy, but the food is all organic, abundant, and good.

The resort is located on a very thermally active site and hot water just bubbles to the surface all over the place. One of our favorite spots is the steam house which sits right on top of one of the springs... totally awesome.

Just around the corner are the meadow pools - a string of soaking pools of varying temperature located in a wildflower meadow which borders the river.

For the first time in the trip we truly felt relaxed, no maps, no traffic, no Grizzly bears...life is good.