RV Tour Leg 41 – Union, Oregon: Old Friends, New Adventures

July 11 - 16, 2025

Mountain hike with Beth and Steve outside of Union, Oregon

We went to Union, Oregon to visit my friend Beth and her husband, Steve. I’ve known Beth since we were babies. We spent so much time at each other’s houses that we were like unofficial siblings—half-raised by each other’s parents.

Beth and Judy - Circa 1972

Beth and Judy - over 50 years later - we love each other like sisters. This picture was taken at the lovely stream that runs behind Beth and Steve's house in Union, Oregon

When we were 17, Beth and I took a road trip to Seattle. Somewhere in Wyoming, we met Steve. He was working as a bouncer in a Western bar. We tried to get into the bar claiming we were old enough, but he didn’t believe us and was having none of it. Sparks still managed to fly between Steve and Beth, and even after we hit the road, he never forgot her. They wrote letters, visited, and eventually decided to get married. That was over 40 years ago.

Steve spending time with us on our trip to Seattle in 1977 - how could Beth resist his charms and good looks?

Beth has lived out West ever since, but despite the distance, we’re still like sisters. Every time we reconnect, it’s like no time has passed. This visit was no exception.

From our last stop in Seattle, we made the six-hour drive to Union, which, by our current wimpy standards, is a two-day journey. We found a full hookup spot along the Columbia River and were thrilled to get the half price senior discount—sometimes being old has perks!

Campground next to the Columbia River. A one night stop on our way from Seattle to Union, Oregon

When we reached Union, we parked our camper right in Beth and Steve’s yard. It might’ve been our favorite “campsite” yet: a beautiful view, water and electric hookups, and a personal dump station courtesy of their own RV lifestyle. Five-star camping!

Our "campsite" right next to Beth and Steve's house - the lawn was a bit abused, but Beth and Steve were very gracious about it.

We had a blast exploring their neck of the woods. One of the biggest joys of this road trip has been seeing how our friends live day to day. Beth and Steve’s backyard is bursting with cherries and chickens, and we happily helped ourselves to the fresh eggs and the cherries. The cherries were sweet, the eggs were delicious, and the hospitality couldn’t be beat.

The cherry picking station - a ladder on the back of a truck bed.

We visited downtown Union, where Beth has a beautiful studio used for her refashion business and many fabulous parties. The large space is filled with mid-century modern treasures she scored at thrift stores—fitting, since Beth has spent years refashioning clothing, a passion she shares on her successful blog The Renegade Seamstress and in her book The Refashion Handbook. All this while teaching kindergarten full-time! Now retired from teaching, Beth is winding down the studio and preparing for her next creative chapter. I’m so grateful I got to experience it in its full glory.

What is a refashion studio without a pool table? David and Steve enjoyed several games while Beth and I caught up our lives

David and Beth being their usual goofy selves at the Refashion Studio

Beautiful mid-century modern treasures at the Refashion Studio

Beth earned her teaching degree in nearby La Grande, where she later taught for 30 years. We had fun visiting her old college and some of the schools where she worked (at least the ones still standing!). We even had a lovely lunch at an Asian fusion spot in town—surprisingly hip for a small town in Eastern Oregon.

At the entrance to the college in LaGrande where Beth went to school

One day we hiked out to a gorgeous alpine lake, then headed to Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort—famous for its wood-fired pizza and its Hollywood history as a filming location for Paint Your Wagon. This ski area is a year-round favorite for Beth and Steve, so it was fun to see it through their eyes.

Enjoying time at the beautiful mountain lake - Beth, Steve and David

Beth is such a beautiful person, inside and out. Even the butterflies know it.

On a different day, we joined them for a soak at Hot Lake Springs Hotel, where a once-crumbling hotel has been beautifully restored. When Beth and Steve first moved to Oregon, the building looked haunted. Now it’s an oasis of art, geothermal warmth, and good food.

Hot Lake Spring Hotel in Union, Oregon - once a haunted mansion, now a lovely hotel with hot springs in the back

Enjoying time in the hot springs at the Hot Lake Springs Hotel

Part of Beth's daily routine is a 6:30 AM walk around her beautiful town - a bit early for me, but I had to join her at least once. Beauty everywhere and Beth never takes it for granted, we both were in awe.

As a bonus, Union just happens to be the home of the factory that built our trailer. Beth and Steve own a trailer from the same company and were the ones who originally recommended it to us. We all took a tour of the factory, which was fascinating. It was fun to see trailers like ours in various stages of construction. Even better, we had some minor repairs done by service guys who used to work at the factory. They got everything done in a single day—something that usually takes a week elsewhere.

Tour of Northwoods Manufacturing - the company that made our trailer. Our tour guide is holding the wire harness that powers a trailer like ours.

A trailer getting built up at Northwoods Manufacturing - the place our trailer was born.

Our time in Union was full of connection, beauty, good food, and plenty of belly laughs. Seeing Beth and Steve in their element—living a joyful, creative, and intentional life—was a gift. After 65 years of friendship, we still bring out the best in each other. And no matter how far apart we live or how many years go by, when we get together, it feels like home.

Next stop: McCall, Idaho, to visit my sister!