Saddle Mountain overlooks the Sunset Highway , a popular road leading west
out of Portland ultimatly blending in to Highway 101 along the Oregon Coast .
Saddle Mountain was created around 15 million years ago when lava flows
poured down the the broad Columbia river valley. It is the Highest mountain in
the Oregon Coast range . rising about 3200 feet above sea level .
Great forests radiate out from the Mountain in every direction . Habitat
for Elk and Deer . Headwaters of one of Oregon's popular Fishing streams the
Necanicum river rushes from the Mountain.
From Multnomah to Saddle Mountain was a drive of about 2 hours . The
Sunset Highway started out over the flat farm land of the Willamette valley
,then climbing into the Coast range , passing under part of it at the Sunset
tunnel ..winding through the Northwest forest ...A right hand turn off of the
Highway takes you up a few miles to a small camping location at the base of
Saddle Mountain. This was our destination .
We would usually leave late Friday afternoon . Preparations would have
been made late Thursday . the Tent would have been packed into the trailer
along with the camping gear. The trailor would be parked outside , ready for
when Dad returned home from work .
Friday Mom would be busy preparing as much food as possible for us to take
with us . Sandwhiches , koolaide , Boxed Groceries including pancake mix ,
coffee ,potatoes . And at the ready in the refrigerator , bacon , eggs , and
hamburger . Bob and I would pack some clothes , comic books , and sometimes
fishing gear. I remember having a world war 2 compass that was my constant
companion . and my Canteen .
Dad would arrive home , dinner would be ready and once eaten we were off .
A few minutes delay as dad cursed the wiring on the trailer ..and then off .
* ( note ...not us I was usually better dressed )
It would be dark by the time we arrived at the Camp spot . Arriving on
Friday we usually had a good pick of the camping spots ..close to the water was
good , a flat space to pitch the tent very good and fairly close to the
Bathrooms was really very good . The bathroom facilities were " Modern
Primative
*( Note I searched Google for some photos of the campgropund and I belive there is a very good chance these are the very same bathrooms I remember )
" . The tent was very heavy most of the hard labor was done by dad
and mom . Beams in place posts pushed into the ground , then stakes pounded
into the ground . Sturdy rope secured it all . Dad would light the coleman
lantern first off ...this device gave off an incredible amount of light . We
had several wooden cots to place our bed rolls on . Dad usually slept in the car
..so as to not wake us when we would leave early in the morning .
If there was no kill Dad would be back at camp around mid morning. We would
then have a hearty breakfast .
My challenge her is how to accurately write about a smell , the conclusion
for me is you can't its only something you can experience. That Morning
breakfast smell lingers with me , inscribed on some part of my brain where all
things wonderful go . IT was more than the breakfast , it was the scent of the
trees , the land turning back into itself , wood smoke from the fire pit ,
kerosene , Pancakes and eggs on a Cast Iron Skillet , Good strong coffee , and
Bacon ...all swhoosed up together and ladled out on a frosty clear blue morning
. For me there is no Doubt Heaven will smell like the Camp ground at Saddle
Mountain state Park .
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