So after Lodi, we did a series of one night stops in Orland and Weed, California, and then took a new route for us, up US 97 from Weed heading for the Columbia River.  We had a 3 night stay in La Pine, Oregon at a membership park ($0/night) as a breather.  While it has been in the high 80s in Lodi, it was just in the 60s in La Pine and nights were in the mid-20s!   So the first day we stopped at the small Ace Hardware in town and they had a few space heaters, as our one just wasn’t capable of doing the job.  Sure enough, with a second one in the front, we were able to keep the rig nice and warm.   In fact, the 3rd morning I had to remember to run the furnace because we need heat in the basement to help keep all of the water lines warm that run underneath the floor of the coach.   

We also went out to breakfast in Bend, and because it was so cold that morning, we ate INSIDE!  The restaurant had 25% capacity inside, so the tables were far apart and the staff all wore masks.  

Leaving La Pine, we headed for a Corps of Engineers park on the John Day River just east of the John Day Dam.  We have stayed at the COE park before, just basic, but we only need a couple of nights because we have a winery to visit in the area.    Of course as we came north we got to see Mt. Hood for a new angle for us!   

And as we got closer to the Columbia River, we also saw Mt. Adams in the distance through our bug coated windshield.   It is very seldom that we get to see Mt. Adams since it is seen from the EAST side of the Cascades and most of our time is spend on the west (‘wet’) side. 

We had a pull-through site at Le Page Campgrounds, right by the John Day River and an easy drive to the Maryhill Winery that we visited the next day.     See photos of our site here.

The next day say us visiting Maryhill Winery for tasting of their wines and a scrumptous lunch.  Beautiful setting overlooking the Columbia River.   More pictures of our time at the winery are here.

Next stop will be Walla Walla for a week to see the town (yes, we grew up in the state but it is amazing how many places we never visited) and to sample some more wine!