Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Apr 10, 2008

Black Butte dam observation point

Filed in Blog, RVing

This morning I went for a walk on a trail that I’d seen when we were driving around, checking out the campground. The one thing lacking at these campgrounds is any sign with an idea of how long the trails are and where they go. It was a lovely walk which curved its way around multiple headlands like a snake, through grassy meadows speckled with wildflowers.

From time to time there were benches where one could enjoy the view and the sound of the wind blowing the grasses. It was definitely a very peaceful spot and the path was beautifully maintained and easy to see.

When I found an “escape route” towards my own campground, though, I took it rather than follow round to an unknown location. I did have to keep in mind today’s noontime departure time. ;) I cut through the group camping which was a lovely area set off to one side with a huge fire pit, play area and all sorts of extra goodies.

I went back and woke up Don so that we could break camp, which we did. We got all the way down to the entrance station before realizing we’d missed the dump station, so one set of instructions later we were heading on up and back to the station for the usual set of ablutions. I handled the entire dump on my own and I guess that I now have that procedure down pat and am now dangerous. ;)

Off we went on our travels, this time towards Lodi. We were keeping an eye out for the observation area for the dam and found it with little trouble. The road snaked up the hillside and stopped at an ample parking lot with picnic tables, bathroom and a giant cross made from a utility pole. That was next to a plinth; presumably at some point it used to have a plaque with information about the views, but that plaque had been stolen.

Most notable were the views across to Black Butte (or at least we assume so) which appears to be made of some kind of black volcanic rock. Basalt, perhaps? On one side there’s the gorgeous lake with the snowy mountains and black rocks; on the other side there’s the earthen dam itself.

We had lunch there and then had a token sit at the picnic tables eating Ruffles. It was a bright, sunny day, but really rather windy.