in the POD - changing directions

moss covered trees

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Our plan was to head south east out of Portland following Rt 22 thru the Willamette and the Deschutes National Forests (part of the Southern Cascade Range) and then down onto the high plains in the eastern part of the state.  Oregon had a mild winter this year so we figured there wouldn't be an issue with snow in the higher elevations. Then we would head south into Nevada, working our way to one of the east entrances into Death Valley National Park. Seemed like a good plan and would take us through areas where we had not yet been!

Heading into the Willamette Forest

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The Cascade Mountain Range extends from the Canadian border through Washington and Oregon and into Northern California. These majestic, snow capped mountains (topping out over 14,000') have a dramatically different climate and topography on their western side and on their eastern side. To the west are the dramatic coastlines, the major cities such as Seattle, Tacoma, Portland and Salem. It is the weather here that we will typically associate with the northwest - rain ...... and therefore the lush green surroundings. To the east is the dry high plains of wide open spaces! Farmland, cattle grazing and rolling hills. 

Deschutes National Forest

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As we began our ascent into the mountains we were surrounded by the typical lushness - myriad of green, running streams, and moss everywhere! The trees looked like they had just been laden with green snow! Otherworldly. We continued up. Eventually, posted signs warned "snow zone" and "chains required". Hummm.... we continued. The snow on the side of the road never got higher than 3' but as we hit 4000' and then 5000' there had obviously been snow recently and there was a good snow pack on the roadway.  Tim was driving and we decided to proceed - it seemed that other vehicles were coming down the mountain without chains. Driving was quite slow and arduous. But as we made it to the peak we breathed a sigh of relief and headed down. 

Deschutes National Forest

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We came upon Sisters, OR. - a really quaint, tourist town with great restaurants, shops, a summer time rodeo and a movie theatre in an old barn! Around 10 miles later we came upon Brothers, OR...... basically not so pretty a place with ......nothing. Just saying.

sunset in Riley, OR

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We ended our drive in Riley, OR. There was the post office and the Riley general store and campground. Out there in the middle of nothing. The wind whipped and the temps dropped. In the morning we woke to 3 degrees and frozen everything in the POD ! We decided to rethink our route. If we headed south into Nevada it would not warm up until close to Death Valley. If we backtracked a bit and headed south to California.... less issues. We chose the less issue.

just us

Riley, OR

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eastern Oregon was like a watercolor painting

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 a lake. who knew.

Lake Abert, OR

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We took Rt 395 south into California through beautiful high desert and skirting Lassen Volcanic National Park.  Ultimately, we ended up back on Rt 99 ( I hate to travel on the same roads...) but we did get to stop at a favorite California fruit stand for Cara Cara oranges before we settled for the night. 

All is good.