All of these photos were taken on our journeys to Klamath County, OR. Located in South Central Oregon it sits in the eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains, bordering northern California. Klamath Falls, the fourth largest county in Oregon, is the county seat as well as the largest nearby town. The population of Klamath Falls is about 22,000 and Klamath County is 68,000. Other communities include Sprague River, Beatty and Chiloquin.
I love the drive from Klamath Falls out to Sprague River and Beatty and I have seen flock after flock of birds, hunters, and cowboys! I always have my camera charged and ready for the drive when I head out to explore land here in the morning! My job doesn't get any better!
The first time I visited Klamath I noticed that several businesses had pelicans as decorations. I thought that was sorta funny - they must be longing for Florida. Well one day while driving along the Lost River E of Klamath Falls there were pelicans! : ) I researched and found out they are the American White Pelicans which migrate at far south as northeastern California. Hmmm who wudda thunk!
Sprague River is a small community about 35 miles NE of Klamath Falls. This is a favorite area for many seeking a rural setting in the countryside. It has a store with basic necessities including gas, a post office and the Sprague River Bridge Connection which offers free food and clothes to the area. I actually stopped by a few times to pick up some baked goods - yummy!
In June 2012 I stopped at the Sprague River Post Office / Public Library. A special shout out to Joyce, the postal worker who also happens to be the librarian. She educated me about the library...among other things. Like which side the glass window would be on if they were truly closed! : ) I peeked thru the window into the library which was not yet open and she said they were kept very busy and they also offer an inter library system that allows people to special order books and tapes from any library in Klamath County. They get delivered right to the library out here. I commented that we had that were we lived in as well and we are big fans of that - a cheap way to read investing and inspirational material for me cause I am cheap! Ha! She said theirs is very busy!
In 2012 I spotted my first beat claw and mountain lion prints on Indian Circle Drive at the top of Klamath Forest Estates! I actually spotted several tracks - pretty exciting! I'm sure some people think I'm crazy wanting to drive all the way to the top of these hills instead of being on a paved road! My kinda spot!
I love the drive from Klamath Falls to Sprague River/Beatty and it's flock after flock of birds. It follows the Lost River for a few miles and I frequently stop at Stevenson Park which is a little wayside pullout with a couple picnic benches and see what's in the river. One day I saw pelicans...what??? I thought they lived in Florida! Gotta laugh at myself!
In August 2018, the haze from the California wildfires made for a beautiful sunset and as I headed W of Beatty I spotted these two Great Blue Herons, one on top of an old barn and the other on a pole. Soon the one on the barn flew down to join the other for a romantic sunset! I was thrilled to capture it in flight! I see online it's referred to the "old Gallagher barn" - so glad they have left it standing. Some might think it's useless, why leave it? But these two had one heck of a romantic night at that old barn! Ha! : )
Sprague River, population 514, sits about 35 miles NW of Klamath Falls. This is a favorite area for many seeking a rural setting in the countryside. It has a store with basic necessities including gas, a post office and the Sprague River Bridge Connection which offers free food and clothes to the area. I actually stopped by a few times to pick up some baked goods - yummy!
In June 2012 we stopped in at the little country store in Sprague River for some supplies and also across the street at the Post Office / Public Library. A special shout out to Joyce, the postal worker who also happens to be the librarian. She educated me about the library...among other things. Like which side the glass window would be on if they were truly closed! : )
I peeked thru the window into the library which was not yet open and she said they were kept very busy and they also offer an interlibrary system that allows people to special order books and tapes from any library in Klamath County. They get delivered right to the library out here. I commented that we had that were we lived in as well and we are big fans of that - a cheap way to read investing and inspirational material for me cause I am cheap! Ha! She said theirs is very busy!
Klamath County borders northern California and is the fourth largest county in Oregon. Klamath Falls is the county seat as well as the largest nearby town about 45 minutes from Sprague River and Beatty. Here you will find large businesses like Home Depot, Wal Mart and Safeway and the courthouse in an old downtown beautiful setting.
I've seen winters where the roads are dry and winters where's there's several feet of snow. I do not explore land here during the winter amd some springs are iffy because unless a neighbor is driving a road to keep the snow down it's blocked. And I've seen it snow here in May and June on a wild weather day! This is the east side of the Cascade Mountains!
Klamath Falls is best known for its wetlands, woodlands and wildlife. It is home to Crater Lake National Park, famous for its deep blue color and water clarity. It is a fisherman's and hunter's paradise!
The Fremont-Winema National Forest offers 2.3 million acres to explore! The heavily timbered western portion of the forests is bordered by the crest of the Cascade Mountain Range and Crater Lake National Park, and stretches east into the Klamath River Basin, an area known for its year-round sunshine, wetlands, woodlands and wildlife.
It sits directly on the Pacific Flyway, a major migratory route for birds extending from Alaska to the tip of South America. Millions of migrating birds rest and refuel in the county's six wildlife refuges. The largest concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 states winters here and they are a fabulous sight to see! And wow is it an incredible abundant display of large and small birds!
Chiloquin is sure getting to be a super cute little town - I've stopped by the farmers market a few times and picked up fresh fruit and vegetables to eat on the road!
I enjoyed seeing a couple out fishing along the Williamson River near Chiloquin!
To see more photos click here: Journey around Klamath County 2020-2023!