POBR25 Day 7: Camp Prairie, Bend, OR 6-21-25

 

Shout out to Monet the chef and driver! I am very thankful for her and Corbin since they are so experienced on this trip it's nice that we have mentors who are so willing to help and take care of our whole group, as stressful as it is. So, thank you Monet and Corbin! Jessica too since nobody would be here without her. Now, on day seven the three staff literally drove us about 10-hours to Crane Prairie Campgrounds in Bend, Oregon where we are now. Specifically, we are on Mt. Bachelor which is new to me. I haven’t seen or heard of this one, but it is nice and cold. I love camping in this environment since it isn’t dry like back home but isn’t pouring like Yellowstone.

It wasn’t my first road trip, so I feel like that was a breeze as a passenger. Usually, I'm the driver for my family so it was nice to just hang out and be on my phone. The Wellpinit region was a good place to be, but the cell service was horrendous. I felt really disconnected from my family but that’s okay they got along just fine, and I couldn't be prouder of them. My son turns 5 on the 23rd which makes me really sad to miss but I know he’ll enjoy his day for sure.

Today wasn’t super crazy when we set up camp, but it was sprinkling, and it was snowing on the way in, so our car was worried about sleeping in the snow. We packed for summer weather not winer… it was even colder here than Bird Creek and Wellpinit Fairgrounds! We got a fire going made of small to medium size sticks and pines. It was pitiful but at the same time it was okay for the time being. We will be getting real wood today as crappy as it is. I hate that anyone puts a price on natural resources. Such a bummer, really. Anyways later we will be getting the wood so this evening's fire will be a lot better and then the last one.

For dinner we had tacos! The very same way my family makes them, so it was comforting for sure. I got my snacks too. I had dishes this evening and in the morning which isn’t bad but at the same time my hands get frozen and that’s not enjoyable at all. Our eighth day will be focused on microscope work and this for me will be the best part. I have recently learned how to use them, and I would love to continue to use them in my career and academic path.

 Klickitat River Sample 

 Klickitat River Sample

 My total samples from this trip including the sites we have visited 




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