While staying in Boise, ID we checked out a new campground, the RV park at Gowen Field. Gowen Field is the Headquarters of the Idaho National Guard and operates an RV park with seven sites. It’s small but nice. All of the sites are paved and full hookups and the proceeds support the base Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program. There is a small convenience store nearby and the base gym is right across the road with a fitness track and all kinds of equipment. It was nice to walk around the base and then ride a stationary bike to finish my workout.
One of Pat’s cousins used to be stationed here and still lives in the area. We were able to visit with him and have lunch. I was enjoying the conversation so much I forgot to take any pictures.
The next day we drove to the Old Idaho Penitentiary. If you are ever in this area, I highly recommend this historic site. We were able to tour the various cell blocks and see how prisoners were housed and treated over the years. We attended a slide presentation on the history of the prison that was very interesting and informative. Would you believe that an architect who was a prisoner designed the prison dining facility? You can visit the maximum-security cell block that housed death row and the gallows. When I think of gallows, I imagine a large wooden structure, but this was nothing more than a room with a trap door in the floor and a huge eyebolt in the ceiling to attach the noose. Hanging was the most frequent method for applying a death sentence.
After that, we had lunch at a classic Boise restaurant, the Boise Fry Company. After all, we are in potato country and what could be better than an order of Idaho potatoes with a side of hamburger?
On Saturday, May 27th we headed farther west for the Deschutes State Recreation Area in Oregon.
The Deschutes State Recreation Area in Oregon is at the confluence of the Deschutes River and the Columbia River. The campground is right on the shore of the Deschutes River and is an idyllic setting. The temperatures were cool and comfortable but the winds were blowing hard every day. We were able to hike every morning along hiking trails that paralleled the river and we had some great views. We spent most of our time enjoying the nature in the area, but did take some time to visit a nearby winery.
My only issue with the park is that there is no dump station and the closest dump station is twelve miles away at the Port of The Dalles. No a big problem, but I wish we had noticed it in our planning.
On Wednesday, May 26th we headed out on our last leg of this trip. Next stop is Camp Murray Beach Campground near Tacoma, WA.
Michigan Traveler 