Our first real day of the trip took us from Lodi, CA to Seven Feathers Casino in Canyonville, OR, about half way between Grants Pass and Roseburg on I-5. We stopped for breakfast in Dunnigan, where we hooked up with the third couple going to Alaska, LaVan & Louise. The heat wave continued with 90 degree temperatures, so we had the generator and the roof air conditioners on for the whole day. Burned a few gallons more diesel, but at least we were comfortable; the other benefit was that once we stopped for the day, the coach didn't need to be cooled down. Other friends from our RV Club, Bob & Peggy, who actually live in Canyonville, came by for a visit, and also joined us for dinner at the casino.
On Monday morning we traveled about 150 miles on I-5 to Salem, OR, where we visited Schreiner's Iris Gardens, which has been in business since 1925. They are the largest iris grower in the nation, with over 200 acres in flower production. The gardens are in full bloom from around Mothers' Day through June. Almost all of the 300 varieties in bloom are displayed in their show area, where they can be ordered for delivery in September and October when they have been dug up and divided. Of course, we ordered some, and expect them about the time we get back from this trip.
From the Iris Gardens, we traveled a few miles up I-5, then west about 7 miles to Champoeg (sounds like Shampooee) State Heritage Park, first settled by grain farmers about 1830. About 1861, the adjacent Willamette River flooded, destroying the entire town of Champoeg. The park has a campground with electric and water hookups, so we settled in for the afternoon and night. Tomorrow we head out for Bothell, WA, just north of Seattle and the Lake Pleasant RV Park where we'll spend a couple of nights, get caught up on our laundry, and prepare for the trip through British Columbia and the Yukon Territory before reaching Alaska.
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