Thanksgiving adventure


 

CaseT

TVWBB Platinum Member
This year we decided to get out of town and forgo the big family gathering. We opted to travel even though we normally would not on holidays. We picked a remote in state destination, Crystal Crane Hot springs as our base of operations. Weather permitting we had planned on visiting several other places , day tripping. But wouldn't you know it Mother nature dumped 12"-18" of fresh snow the day before our trip. Knowing that we'd be traveling on the off days of the holiday we decided to brave the snow packed roads and make the best of it.

Crystal Crane Hot springs is a developed resort. They have camp spots, tepees, cabins (no bathrooms),and rooms with private bathrooms and private soaking tubs. There is a community bathhouse and a community kitchen onsite. They also have private soaking tubs for day use rental.

We opted for a room with private bathroom and soaking tub. Glad we did because it was damn cold and making a trek to the bathroom would've really sucked! The main feature is of course the natural hot springs and soaking pond. Which they maintain to a temp of 101°f year round. Even with the temps outside they have to pump in cold water. Neat thing is all of the paved walkway, patios, are heated with geothermal, so no snow or ice to worry about.

The closest town is 25 miles away so we prepped and packed all of our food for the trip.

I cooked a turkey breast on the 14.5" Weber (thankfully the day before the snow came). I also made the Stuffin muffins
My wife made pumpkin-rye whiskey mini pies. Same normal pie recipe just made in pot pie size tins.

For the duration of the trip the high temp was 20°f during the day and -2°f-6°f for the low at night. Soaking in the hot springs was a godsend!

We only made one trip out and visited the Malheur Wild life Refuge. It was cold, but a fun trip. There is a small museum there that was open to look at. The main visitor center was closed for the weekend. I have been there several times in my life the last time was almost 40 years ago. Normally one would see tons of birds, but it was blowing, foggy, and too cold.

Anyways here's a few photos of our off grid adventure and our non-traditional TG day meal.

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Main Pond

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Our private soaking tub on the enclosed patio off our room - Heated walking surface

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Sod House lookout tower - 1938 Located at the Refuge headquarters. Named for the original settlement several miles down the road.

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All of the original buildings are cut stone and were built by the CCC between 1936-1938. Most of the workers were brought in from the Midweast via train to Lakeview Oregon (at the time the closest depot to the area) and then trucked into the camps.

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Juniper post and willow branch fences were commonly used in the area for corrals and wind breaks.

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Bathroom Buffet! - Yes that is a P-38 can opener on the cranberry Jelly!

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You two are much hardier then I am for sure. I had to go put on a sweater just looking at those pictures :p.
That meal looks great, nice work. Those pumpkin-rye whiskey mini pies got my attention, that's a new combination for me.
 
Looks like a great place to visit.... in the summer;) I wouldn't have ventured anywhere this Thanksgiving. Roads were closed, including I-5 in both directions and 299. Anyway, loved your photos and your Thanksgiving spread. Wish I still had my P-38. Thanks for sharing Case.
 
You two are much hardier then I am for sure. I had to go put on a sweater just looking at those pictures :p.
That meal looks great, nice work. Those pumpkin-rye whiskey mini pies got my attention, that's a new combination for me.

Thanks Rich! Standard pumpkin pie recipe, except the wife added a couple tablespoons of Crater Lake Rye Whiskey to the filling. We both agreed that next time she'll add 3-4 tablespoons. Had the flavor but we were looking for more of that boozy holiday rum ball kick :eek:
 
Looks like a great place to visit.... in the summer;) I wouldn't have ventured anywhere this Thanksgiving. Roads were closed, including I-5 in both directions and 299. Anyway, loved your photos and your Thanksgiving spread. Wish I still had my P-38. Thanks for sharing Case.

Thanks Cliff!

It is a great place to visit. Actually best times would be late spring of late fall. Too bloody hot out there during the summer. Plus you get to catch the bird migrations, which is a big draw to the Refuge.

I give p-38's as stocking stuffers! I will say they don't make them like they used too.
 
Case, that trip looks like lots of fun and your meal, awesome. Those are some great pictures.
 
Thanks for sharing Case, looks kind of cold there. Glad you still have all your fingers after using that can opener.
 
Thanks for sharing Case, looks kind of cold there. Glad you still have all your fingers after using that can opener.

Yeah it was chilly for sure. Thanks fully we had plenty of hot water for soaking in the heat.

I have to tell ya my arthritic fingers did have a bit of a go. Again the soaking did them good, so I guess using the p-38 was worth it.
 
I’ve got a couple of those around here somewhere, they are right next to that gold bar that was “such an obviously smart” place to have put it....
 
I'm impressed! - that's some crazy country out there, for sure - to hit it in December is,well adventurous.:) you guys were dangerously close to the Steens Mountain Wilderness area - which is one of the greatest places in Oregon -
 
I'm impressed! - that's some crazy country out there, for sure - to hit it in December is,well adventurous.:) you guys were dangerously close to the Steens Mountain Wilderness area - which is one of the greatest places in Oregon -

I have spent lots of time exploring the Steens. We had contemplated going to Frenchglen or down to Rome but with the sketchy roads we opted to keep things close to our weekend base. We'll go back in the spring and spend more time exploring. My wife hasn't spent as much time in that Neck of Oregon as I have. Love the drive from Hart Mountain across the top to Frenchglen and down into the Alvord. Used to fish the Donner and Blitzen. Good times.
 

 

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