Summer Lake Hot Springs

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After a wonderful dinner at the Cowboy Dinner Tree, the voyagers headed further into the Oregon Outback to the Summer Lake Hot Springs.  We arrived after dark.  In the morning we woke up to a sunrise and the view you see above.  My oh my what a gorgeous and stark landscape!

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This is the original soaking pool, enclosed in an antique barn.  The hot springs come out hot and clear, and with a slight smell of sulfur.

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Another view of the hot springs grounds.  There are cabins, trailer sites, and tent sites available at reasonable prices and with access to the hot springs.

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Looking toward the collection of cabins, campers, tents, and the hot springs.

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After a morning dip, we set out the towels and swim suits on the expedition vehicle to dry.

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Inside the bath house.  The sign reads “Respect these healing waters.”

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The main soaking pool.


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The entire voyage staff in one of the outdoor soaking pools.  As was fashionable at the time, the males were pale and pasty while the women were tan.

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The outdoor soaking tubs.

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The barn with Summer Lake far in the distance.


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Sunrise on the high desert.

Steaks at the Cowboy Dinner Tree

 

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The voyage arrived at the Cowboy Dinner Tree outside of Silver Lake, Oregon.  This interesting restaurant has long been a favorite of mine.  Not only do you have to call weeks or months in advance to get a table but you also have to select either a chicken or a beef dinner.  The only other choice you get is between coffee, iced tea, pink lemonade, or water.  What a delicious hidden restaurant in the middle of nowhere!

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The rustic restaurant is more of a ramshackled shack than a fine dining establishment.  Don’t be fooled! This is a world-class steak house.

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The second biggest decision you have to make at the Cowboy Dinner Tree is what you should drink.  Your choices are water, iced tea, pink lemonade, or coffee.

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The first course was a family-style salad.  Vera gives it the thumbs-up.

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Next is a cowboy stew and huge dinner rolls.  Yum!

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The next course is a massive steak or an entire chicken.  Everyone at our table chose steak.  It was a wise decision.  And yes, that is a MASSIVE baked potato with sour cream.

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Zach approves of the steak… for now.



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The final course is ice cream and a piece of pie or shortbread (depending upon the time of year).  Yes, it was delicious.

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In the winter it is a good idea to request the table next to the stove.

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Looking down the windowed-in porch near the entrance.

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The kitchen.  Since I was here last they have gotten electricity.  It appears that the lights are powered off a solar panel and some DC batteries.

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After we finished eating we found a beautiful sunset in progress.

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Heather climbed into a little saloon.

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Until next time, Cowboy Dinner Tree!

Surprise Visit to Thompson Reservoir

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We quite by accident discovered Thompson Reservoir while aimlessly driving on Forest Service roads waiting for our seating at the Cowboy Dinner Tree.

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Zach decided to setup a shot from the dock.

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The Expedition Team at Thompson Reservoir!


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A panorama of the lake.

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Near Thompson Reservoir we spied several deer in a meadow.

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Standing on a dock in the lake watching the water drain away…