.Hike Mondays.: Smith Rock State Park to Crystal Crane Hot Springs/Harney County backroads and bone hunting, Stinking Water Creek Area, Valentines Day weekend, 2015.

Destination Crystal Crane Hot Springs, one of our favorite places in Oregon. We always change up the stops on the way to Crystal Crane, as it is a 7 hour drive, and there is just so much good stuff to see in Central and Eastern Oregon. We had such awesome weather for February, so we decided to get a few hikes in. First stop, Smith Rock State Park in Terrabonne, Deschutes County. Here is a fun video of the the Misery Ridge Loop hike that we did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWpb5Pl3cc. The dogs did pretty well considering the incline and the heat today, but the water break on top was definitely anticipated! This is such a gorgeous area, there were a lot of beatiful water fowl, and we saw the world's largest goose at the top of a ridge. At first we thought it was Kevin from "UP", by the size of the thing. Good for him.

Smith Rock before we started Misery Ridge Loop Trail.

The traditional Maggie and Mom pose mid kiss.I also got to try out my new pack today! Been waiting a few years for the right one to show up at the right price and I took the plunge on a great deal from Sierra Trading Post. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/mountain-hardwear-napali-50-backpack-internal-frame-for-women~p~3232x/?filterString=s~mountain-hardware-backpack%2F&colorFamily=02. I used an extra 45 percent off coupon I got from their dealflyer emails, and got the pack for 79 bucks, down from the original $190! And I absolutely love it. I got the 50 liter, thinking it may be too big, but its just right! I even use it on day hikes because it is so lightweight and convenient to pack with the roll top and bottom, top and side access zippers. Honestly the best purchase I made this year.

Maggles looking down valley about a quarter way up the trail.

Monkey Face from the lee side of misery ridge.

Don't ever make us do that again!

Back Seat Driver

Smith Rock State Park on a beautiful February day.

Next on our trip was Crystal Crane Hot Springs, via whatever random dirt road Tim could find. We ended up making it there by 7pm, with time to stop and stock up at the Burns, OR Safeway. We got set up in our cabin, and soaked and played trivia games and had a wonderful time. The next morning we took a short drive in to the teeny tiny town of Crane, OR. And ventured down some dirt roads to find some bones and look at some eagles (7 dollar goodwill binoculars sure came in handy).

I suppose this is the vortex of "Stinking Water Creek Area". It wasn't too stinky, but you could tell how many different critters have been here for the water. Still couldn't believe this weather!

Just showing off my MEC short gaitors that I bought in Edmonton. I am a big fan of these. None of the big bulkiness of full sized gaitors, and they still keep all bits and water out of your boots. They are worh every penny!

This is my happy place. This is my slice of heaven. Crystal Crane Hot Springs, we come here several times a year, it is worth the 7 hour drive as we always make a road trip out of it and stop at holes in the wall, and bone hunting nowheres throughout central and eastern Oregon. Dog friendly cabins, private tubs if you'd prefe, and a community kitchen/common area.

Crystal Crane in all its glory.

Some treasures we found in the Stinking Water Creek Area just east of Crystal Crane Hot Springs, near the town of Crane itself, off a forest road.

This is the happiest 11 year old bassador you are going to find in Oregon today.

Go Tigers.

This is the general area of random roads that Tim took to get us to and from Crystal Crane this time. It's always a new adventure. Perhaps the road will be there, perhaps it won't. And you'll probably pass several boarded up mini towns that appear to be a film set for a Rob Zombie film. You just never know what will come next.