April 2005

April already! We're still enjoying Oregon, although the rains have started to come! We were lucky for Feb. and March and had very little rain, but they really do need rain here, so we can't complain. On many free weekends we've been traveling to the coast and exploring small sections of it at a time.

Route 138 (North Umpqua Highway): Travel this route from Roseburg to Diamond Lake to experience beautiful views, challenging hiking trails, assorted waterfalls, great fishing, etc. We've taken this route several times and each time we see something different.

Spring along the Umpqua River

(thumbnails, so click to enlarge) L-R: Watson Falls, Lower Watson Falls, Whitehorse Falls, Susan Creek Falls, Clearwater Falls (all along Route 138)

Colliding Rivers in Glide, OR on Route 138 (muddy Little River collides with the clearer North Umpqua River)

Glide Sheep Farm along Route 138 in late afternoon

Roseburg, Oregon: If you're traveling up or down I-5 and pass by Roseburg, OR consider stopping for at least a few days or a week to explore this interesting area that offers a wide variety of things to see and do. There are gorgeous fertile valleys with wineries to explore, rivers for outstanding fishing or boating, hiking trails to breathtaking waterfalls, historic shopping areas, and so much more...and that's only within a few miles of Roseburg! If you want to extend your travels beyond an hour, the coastal communities are within less than 2 hours' travel. The climate is mild enough that there is rarely snow in Roseburg, although one can easily travel to it for snow activities.

VA Hospital Campus in Roseburg and the Fish Ladder north of Roseburg
(There's an interesting viewing area here where you can watch the fish move up over the dam from the lower river area to the upper river area which allows them to continue up the river to their spawning areas.)

Wineries of the Umpqua Valley

Florence, Oregon: one of our favorite coastal towns only 2 hours from Roseburg...although most the coastal towns in OR are totally charming.

View looking south from Cape Perpetua near Yachats, OR

Oregon Sand Dunes near Florence, OR

Yachats, OR in the distance

A trifecta of Trilliums..."Trillii?"
These were seen on a hike in the forest near Cape Perpetua...lots of great hiking...forests or sea views...take your pick!