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Snow blown off tree boughs creates a winter scene

Winter arrives in Central Oregon by late November, followed by a stretch of bitter cold after the holiday season. Typically, by now, we’ve moved through a false spring.

However, Second Winter never rolled over us this late in the year. If forecasts are to be believed, winter is over . . . but not before leaving a few inches of snow, then ambling away ahead of a string of spring-like days.

Our snow storms are not California level, but frequently dampen any excursions we might’ve been planning.

That’s not to say we didn’t get out of the house, just not far from it. It is a house policy not to drive on snowpack or icy roads, unless a bakery is the destination.

Sunriver HOA is always on top of snow removal. Once parked in a recently plowed lot at the Nature Center, we ventured out onto untracked snow.

Fresh snow enhances any photo opportunity. A bonus is checking on the swans and attempting to spot elusive otters.

The cygnets have grown and the pond was full of ducks, but we didn’t see any sign of otters . . . may be next time.

It may be another ruse, but we’re definitely taking advantage of the upcoming thaw. After all, we already have stuff on the calendar.

One of our regular stops, a BLM site on the river.

Again this week we found ourselves parked next to a picnic table on the east bank of the Crooked River. If we’re not at home this would be the next place to look.

Some days all that’s required is time on the river. This works best if you’ve established a regular destination. With each relocation, a new favorite had to be researched . . . it’s always been like that.

Ancient lava flows make up the canyon walls

Growing up my family went fishing nearly every Summer Sunday. Depending on which sibling you ask, those outings were either fishing trips or picnics. Regardless . . . you get lunch and often cake for dessert.

Upper Big Creek CG, which actually closed before I left in the 70’s, was a common destination. We parked in second growth Larch overlooking the North Fork of the Flathead River.

Crooked River fishing means navigating over lots of rocks

Rock Creek served us well during time spent doing television in Missoula. When we moved to Troutdale, the fishing trips thinned because the Lower Deschutes was a much longer drive.

There are more than a handful of fishable streams within an hour of the place we’re currently occupying. While we do visit all at least once a season, the Crooked River, upstream of Prineville, holds the record number of visits.