Maiden Voyage of the Pocket - Day 2

Day two, August 23, began after a quite night's stay at Little Nash Sno-Park, and a continuation  of checking out Sno-Parks. Sno-Parks have been a favorite overnight option for us for many years. November thru April a parking permit is required, put May thru October it's fair game for all, no fee, or reservation required. Some have restrooms some do not, for example Little Nash Sno-Park.  So our morning started with a search of a Sno-Park with a restroom.  Ray Benson Sno-Park came to our rescue. An important focus of these first two days has been reacquainting ourselves with the many Sno-Parks in the Santiam Pass greater area.  Once as familiar to us as a person's neighborhood, from our days of cross-country skiing, they now need a little refreshing.

Mt Washington view from Highway 20

After Ray Benson, we checked out a couple more Sno-Parks before descending down the Santiam Pass on Highway 20 for the greater Sisters area.  Our first primary destination was the e-bird Hotspot of Calliope Crossing.  A well known birding location, it had been on my to-do list for many years.  

Jeanette searching the trees at Calliope Crossing

We parked and walked Indian Ford Creek down-stream and made a bird list. Then we walked up-stream and made a second list. Next we moved to a secret location for lunch and our night's stay. Our afternoon was was spent lounging around and getting better acquainted with our new Pocket van.  There is quite a learning curve in figuring out all the systems, and the right place for everything, and each day it improves a little more. 

 

Goldern-mantled Ground Squirrel 

Here is proof we enjoy all of wild life, not just birds. Taken from the comfort of the dinette in our van.