A Day at Howard Prairie Lake

I had low expectations as I set out on the first of four segments needed to connect California to Washington with a ski track over the Oregon Cascades. Scheduling around work and weather are the two biggest obstacles. Physical conditioning (or lack thereof) and equipment condition are the next two.

Ran into all of that this time.

But the three days away were still worth it! Just need to step up my game.

I started at Hwy 140 heading south towards Ashland and Cali. GoPro had issues (now fixed?!) so no footage. Rain started at lunch time and that evening would remind me that my backpack is not waterproof. But my sleeping gear was in a trash compactor bag, so I slept warm, but a bit damp. My raincoat works good but needs an improvement around the wrists.

Just before dark, I arrived at Howard Prairie Lake. They have a bath house with a nice porch all the way around. I set up on the dry east side. I woke up the next morning expecting to leave in a few hours, but the snow continued heavy all day. So much for a dependable forecast!

I had to stay dry because there was no place to dry out that night. I was two days from the Mt. Ashland ski lodge.

The trees were totally bare the night before!

My home for two nights and a day!

I had plenty of time to meditate, walk around the building, play with slo-mo, read the Bible, and just relax with my heavenly Father. It was good!

A change in logistics, and knowing how gloppy snow gets for two days after falling off the trees, necessitated my return home. But not before I took one last picture.

I’ll be back!