April 23 - McNary Lock and Dam

The McNary Lock and Dam serves several functions such as flood control, generating electricity, recreation and navigation. In addition, allowing for the salmon to migrate upriver to their spawning grounds is a major function of not only McNary Dam but all the dams up and down the river. In cooperation with the Fish and Game Commission and state agencies, the salmon are closely protected and propagated, both for the fish and the fishermen.

Moving on down the road 130 miles or so, we arrived at John Day River Dam and our destination campground for the next several days, Le Page COE campground. It is a beautiful little campground on the bank of the John Day River at the mouth of the river where it flows into the Columbia.

Just a comment about something that is unique to the state of Oregon. There is a law that prohibits self-service at any and all gas stations. No fooling. As one “gas attendant” explained to me, “Without this law, 50,000+ people would be out of work.” Be that as it may, so far Oregon tops the list as the highest prices we have paid so far, over $3.00 per gallon.