Next day, we got fuel for the body at Burrito Boy, then it was on the road to Breitenbush Hot Springs. First stop was Clear Lake, where we hiked to the spring (cold) that is the source of the McKenzie River.
We made it to Breitenbush and promptly wash away the trail dust at the Spiral Tubs, where each tub is a different temperture - from warm, to warmer, to hot, to very hot.
After getting one's core body temp up, it's time to cool off in the cold plunge. This is where all those free radicals are eliminated.
We had a great soak in one of the Meadow Pools.
Also, we took a steam in one of the all time most awesome saunas.
I told the boys they could trim my beard however they wanted to, and this is what they (mostly Asa) did to me.
I'm not sure this is a good look for me.
We head back to Eugene and take in the Oregon Duck athletic training facilities.
The Treatment Area.
The Taping Area.
The Weight Room.
A tourist moment. We were due to pick up Jason's Dad in Portland, but he wasn't able to join us, as he only reserved an itinerary and forget to go ahead and buy his ticket. As a result, we got extra shopping.
We headed back to the mountains and stop for a quickie soak at Umpqua Hot Springs.
These springs are perched on a bluff overlooking the Umpqua River.
Jason is enjoying the waters at Umpqua.
Next stop was Fort Rock.
Asa couldn't resist doing a little climbing.
Next stop was The Crack in the Ground.
Asa did some more climbing.
Asa and Jason managed to climb out of the Crack.
And we were ready for some more hot water.
Summer Lake Hot Springs was our destination.
We enjoyed the soaking at the bath house.
And the outside soaking pool. The boys tried their hand, unsuccessfully, at cow tipping. All soaked out, we start making our way back to Portland for our flight home.
We stopped in Bend for elk burgers and an adult beverage (at least I had one).
Then we stopped at Smith Rock and watched some real climbers.
Asa didn't try any climbing here.
Well, here we are.
Right down the road, we stop at the Crooked River Gorge.
Pretty neat.
It was hard to get the guys to give a good pose for pics, but they did ok here.
We made it on in to Portland, got checked in to our hotel, turned the truck back in, took the train downtown for Chinese food. We stopped at The China Republic Cafe, which has been in business for a very long time and was very good (and I don't like Chinese food), then it was on to VooDoo Donuts. We got to see some strange sights, as it was past 10 pm, and the secret, you know, is in the hole! Asa's flight has a 2 and 1/2 hour delay in Salt Lake City, so we missed our flight to Gulfport and had to spend the night in Atlanta. The next day, all seats to Gulfport, Hattiesburg and Jackson were full, but we got seats to Meridian, where Momma and Bettye picked us up.
