As I often do on the
spur of the moment (noon), I got the urge to go for a drive. I headed south on Hwy 99W to Albany. From there I headed east on Hwy 34 to
Lebanon and on to Hwy 20 toward Santiam Pass.
My first stop was at Foster Reservoir, a beautiful and large lake
offering all the summer water activities and picnicking along the shore.
Along the way I
photographed one of the streams along the highway.
When I came to the Walton Ranch Elk Habitat, I decided to hike the
trail up to the viewpoint, a rise of about 240 over a quarter of a mile. Didn’t sound like much of a hike, but I
forgot my somewhat limited stamina and felt the slight strain. It was worth the effort to see the lush
forest and views peaking out across the valley to surrounding mountains! I never cease to be amazed at the beauty
Oregon offers in so many different ways.
Finally reached Sisters.
What an amazing place, filled with tourists from places far and near
(like me!). Filled the tank with gas
and headed back toward home taking the scenic, and crooked, narrow road that
was Hwy 242 over McKenzie Pass. As I
left Sisters there were wonderful views of the Three Sisters Mountains to take
in. There was a cautionary sign
indicating that the road ahead for MANY miles was narrow and limited in the
vehicles that could travel it. Narrow
is right! Some places hardly seemed
wide enough for two cars. Even though
the road was paved and lined, it was a somewhat harrowing drive.
An amazing highlight
consisted of the miles through the lava beds dating far back in Oregon
history. The road literally cut right
through the lava flows. I stopped at
the Dee Wright Observatory where the path up the steps and paved walkway took
you to the top of a viewpoint constructed of the lava rocks. From there you could see all the
mountains—Jefferson, Sisters and others, the names of which I don’t remember.
On this trip I twice crossed the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail leads from the Mexican border all
the way to Canada. I never thought much
about the trail until I read Cheryl Strayed’s book, Wild: Lost and Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Seeing the actual places where I knew she
had walked on her self-realization journey was an intense moment of recalling
her story.
What started as a spur of the moment urge to go somewhere
turned out to be an eight-hour journey?
Glad I had a brunch of buckwheat pancakes and eggs before I left. It seems I never allow myself to stop for
eats on such trips. Guess I should find
a navigator who would require stops other than simply to enjoy the view!
Hope you enjoy this brief view of the place I call HOME!
