The Cove Palisades State Park

We had plans to go camping right after the kids got out of school in mid June. As we inched closer the weather kept looking worse and worse. You think we'd learned our lesson from last year when we got rained out although that was mid May! I guess you just can't count on dry weather around here till at least July. Lesson re-learned! A couple days before he had to go camping we scrambled to find a different place so as not to disappoint four little boys. We took a chance on The Cove Palisades State Park in eastern Oregon about 3 hrs from Portland and safe from any rain. I'm so glad we got rained out of our usual camp spot which isn't terribly exciting because this place was amazing! It's our new favorite camp spot and we can't wait to go back. There are so many great things but to mention a few...amazing view points, good fishing, hiking paths, safe for kids swimming area, organized kids activities by the forest rangers, a play ground, very nice showers & bathrooms, and great paved paths for the kids to ride their bikes.

The Fishermen
Our Friends K and Oz came too : )

They caught so many bass and blue gill fish!

My handsome Thomas

Great swimming area.
The depth by the floaty thing in the background was only about 4 feet deep.

The water was pretty chilly but that didn't stop anyone but me, ha!

The lake is at the bottom of a big canyon, it's all so breathtaking.

On our hike, that's me!

A waterfall in the desert, go figure!

Phil and I with Mt. Jefferson peeking in the background. From this vista point you could see almost every mountain in Oregon and Washington, Mt Adams, the 3 Sisters, Mt Bachelor, Mt Jefferson, and Mt. Hood! That's 7 if I'm not forgetting one : )

My 3 lovely's!