---"Lon and Nina Carlson and Jeanette and I have chosen this backpack to Gordon Canyon on this Easter Weekend. They meet us in Salem @ 8:00am for waffles at out house. We are on the road by 9:00, arriving at Deschutes State Park at 11:30 in nice sunshine. Pack weights are: Jim 41, Jeanette 27, Lon 33, Nina 27 ½. We hike along the east side on the Lower River Trail all the way to Gordon Canyon. My intent was to camp in the clearing by the old outhouse. I am quite surprised find the whole area cleared out by a bull-dozer and a concrete outhouse erected right in the middle of what can only be described as a large gravel parking lot. Sort of like the song,''they paved paradise and put in a parking lot'. We set up camp across the streambed at a campsite we have used in past years."

..."In the evening I started to hike up Gordon Canyon, and much to my suprise I see a huge porcupine climbing along the canyon wall. get several pictures.
Up at 6:30 am, enjoy breakfast in the doorway of our tent. First time to put up awning with hiking poles. On trail by 9:00. Hike back via Ferry Springs where we stop @11:00 for lunch. Hike on out, notice blossoming almond trees."