Blue River Lake

Mona Campground
August 3-5, 2012

Blue River Lake is a large reservoir about 45 miles up the McKenzie River Highway. We had made reservations at Mona Campground with our friends, Kathy and Robin. Kathy had to fly to Spokane to help with her mom, but Robin joined us for the weekend.

We had reserved site 23, a large double site at the end of a road. Lots of privacy, with a steep path down to the lake shore.

 

 

This weekend turned out to be one of record-breaking heat. It was 101 in Eugene, and I think it was probably close to that at Blue River. We had brought the canoe and planned to spend as much time as possible in the water. What we didn't find out until the next morning was that the lake was full of blue-green algae -- a natural-forming phenomenon, but it can be deadly to dogs and children.

 

 

 

So we had to do with lolling about in the shade at the site. Too hot for hiking. And when we could stand it no longer, we drove down to the McKenzie River and splashed about in the icy rapids.