homebrew Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Got back yesterday (Father's day) from a 560 mile blat through parts of Eastern Oregon I've never seen. Trip started Sat morning in Portland, through a very chilly Columbia River Gorge (didn't see the sun for 45mi, then wasn't very warm) but still very beautiful. Got off the freeway at Hy 97 - Biggs. South for 10 mi then to Wasco - Hy 206 heading SE towards Condon past a couple of wind farms. This is Oregon wheat country, lots of rolling hills that drop into winding, twisty canyons and then back up the other side. There's a viewpoint about halfway between Wasco and Condon where you pop up on one of many high plateaus where you see six different mountain peaks. As far away as Mt. Rainier to the north in Washington to the Three Sisters to the south in Oregon. Quick stop in Condon to fill up. Sticker on the pump says the price is double what the pump indicates ($2.30/gal that makes it 4.60 per). Just shows how behind the times these rural towns are in everything except gas and food prices. Good thing I just wanted to top off to be sure I had enough for the next leg - approx 150 mi. I'd rather run on the top 1/2 of the tank rather than the bottom 1/2, especially when you don't know when you're going to see the next station. Continue on hy 206, pretty much the same kind of scenery except no high mountain peaks to view. 30 mi east of Condon turn south onto Hy 207 through pine forests and high mountian meadows - great screnery! Oh and the swichbacks and twistys. Forty miles later hookup to Hy 19 about 3 mi east of Spray. Stay on 19 for 10 mi and then turn off on 402 at Kimberly. 402 follows along the North Fork of the John Day River until you reach the next small burg of Monument. Then climb up out of Monument to Long Creek and a vast high valley where I turn south on Hy 395. Out of Long Creek I climb to the highest summit on this trip, 5105 feet. Down to Mt Vernon and east on Hy 26 to my destination, John Day where my sister awaits my arrival. Seems I was spotted in Long Creek by my nephew and he calls mom to let her know I'm close. Just can't hide in small towns, especially when you're driving a 7. Unlike the city everyone waves, from the farmer plowing his field to the folks driving the other way to people standing along the road. Had a nice but short visit with my sis and her hub (sometimes the way they should be with sibblings). Leave Sun morning heading west on Hy26. Stop after 35 mi at the John Day Fossil Bed overlook to take pictures and take in the view. Turn off 26 in the Picture Gorge onto Hy 19 north along the John Day River. Spectacular views and a great 7 road. Just past the Butte Creek Pass summit about 10 mi from the town of Fossil the Wheeler County WELCOMING COMMITTEE was there to welcome me to their county. They even turned on their red and blue lights for me. Boy they sure know how to make city folk feel special. To the tune of $244.00 special. Welcome to Wheeler county! ENJOY your visit, oh, and slow down. THANKS Deputy! Onto Fossil and top off the tank. Same story here as in Condon, price is double what the pump shows. Out of Fossil to Hy 218, just out of town the road climbs dramatically with lots of switchbacks and plenty of twistys. This is very arid land still very pretty in a high desert way. Stop at the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil beds for a bathroom break and sunscreen. Onto Clarno cross the John Day River again where there are lots of rafters. Start climbing up out of Clarno where I encounter the first vehicle going west since I turned off at Fossil. Quickly get by and enjoy the rest of this stretch to Antelope. Again a hard climb with lots of switchbacks followed by another twisty section to finally pop up on top of this high desert plateau to a view of the mountain peaks I saw the day before only now they are closer - WOW what a view! Stop at Shaniko at Goldies Ice Cream Parlor for a hot dog and ice cream cone and the best part a chat with Goldie and her husband who is a real character and will talk your ear off. After a quick walk around Shaniko I take Hy 97 south u Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Except for the ticket, sounds like a very enjoyable trip.... especially the lack of other cars getting in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11Budlite Posted June 17, 2008 Share Posted June 17, 2008 Jim - sorry about ticket, but the rest of the trip sounded like a lot of fun with some great scenery! Nice write-up, thanks for sharing. :thumbs: Bruce :7drive: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codeman583 Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 this looks like a blast. I would like to make a similar trip to this, but come back through bend, and back down to my home in Roseburg.... great roads out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homebrew Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 Codeman, like I said I could be talked into a redue of this trip. If you're interested contact me. I'm planning on going to the West Coast Lotus Meet in Canyonville the first weekend in Oct, are you going to be there? Looks like there's a great 7 road outside of Riddle that goes along Cow Creek, have you driven it, if so what kind of condition is it in? Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DB6 Posted August 23, 2008 Share Posted August 23, 2008 Great trip, these do tend to atract the boys in blue tho, even when u r being a good boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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