Phainopepla

Phainopepla
Phainopepla

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Road Trip - Oregon


The ocean was the goal.  But there was still the beautiful state of Oregon to traverse.  Few think of Oregon as desert, But from the Idaho border, traveling west across Oregon to the high desert town of Bend, the landscape is a vast, open, sagebrush-covered, wind-swept land, punctuated by fascinating geologic formations and lava fields.  From Bend, the land rises into the Cascade Range and the lovely little town of Sisters, named for the peaks that stand guard over it.  It was there that we spent the night, with llamas grazing just outside our room.  We searched out an interesting restaurant, The Open Door, and spent a pleasant evening dining in the garden on fresh beet salad and flatbread pizza.



Up and over the winding McKenzie Pass we went rising 2000' through Ponderosa pine forests before opening up to an amazing lava field dating back over 2000 years.


The jagged peaks of the Sisters, Mt. Washington and Mt. Jefferson rise abruptly out of the rocky chaos.  At the summit sits The Dee Wright Observatory, built entirely out of volcanic rock by the CCC in the 1930's.  Small observation openings, lava tubes, reveal the surrounding geologic features.


Mt. Jefferson through the lava tube, Oregon's second highest peak.
Bronze Peak Finder at Dee Wright Observatory
A flock of red crossbills entertained me on my climb to the observatory.  Most flew away at my approach, but one little guy was quite unafraid and posed patiently.

From the summit we descend into the lush greenness for which Oregon is so famous, winding along the beautiful McKenzie River, emerging into the bustle of Eugene.  We pushed on to the coast, my ocean fix long overdue.  Driving down Highway 101 brought back good memories of many trips past.  The Oregon Dunes, seafood in Florence, incredible state beaches.  In Bandon, we settled for a few days in a funky little guest house with a great view of the harbor, and walking distance to all of the town.

 Lazy days were spent exploring the beaches, the wildlife refuges, the lighthouse, the village and the harbor and the seafood restaurants.



Right behind our inn was a most amazing museum filled with 'artwork' created from the trash washed up on the beaches.  The Washed Ashore Project aims to educate and create awareness about marine debris and plastic pollution through art.




American oystercatchers poked through the rocky buffet just out of easy camera range, but I succeeded in capturing this one.

Fog settles in along the coast, creating surreal and ethereal scenes.

Next Up, continuing down the coast of California. Perhaps I can finish documenting this trip before the next one begins.  Well, perhaps not.

Meanwhile, Happy Winter Solstice!

15 comments:

  1. Carole, this is beautifully written and photographed! How I would love to see the Oregon ocean. I love the art made from trash! It was such a pleasure to meet you on Sunday at the Tucson Valley CBC! And, I know all about trying to get all your photos processed! I am so far behind on photos and stories!

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    1. Thank you, Kathie! It was so great to meet you too. You will really be busy now with moving across the country. My best wishes to you in your new home. By the way, my mother's maiden name is Bath, so I always love towns named Bath. Bath, Maine is one I haven't been too.

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  2. Oregon is one of the few states I've yet to visit, and I can see I need to go there after viewing your gorgeous photos!!

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I'm afraid I didn't do the state of Oregon justice. There is so much to see and such a contrast between the east and the west. I hope you get to see it for yourself!

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    2. Stopped in to see more of your trip! Altho' you haven't posted yet, I certainly enjoyed seeing these beautiful pictures again. Moved a visit to Oregon a little further up my list of places to go!! Hope the rest of your road trip was uneventful and just as awe inspiring as this stop!

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  3. I love the sharp contrasts between east and west of the Cascades. And living in the desert can make us long for the ocean. The recycle art is fantastic although in a sad way.

    Heck I'm just finishing up last year's trip to South Africa and I leave again next month.

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    1. I love that contrast too, Gaelyn. Happy travels to you!

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  4. This is definitely an amazing place. It looks absolutely beautiful and your Red Crossbill shot is gorgeous!!!! I'm so glad I got a chance to meet you this weekend. I hope we get to do it again sometime. Happy holidays!

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    1. Thank you, Chris! It was great fun doing the CBC with you. Your photos put mine to shame. Happy Birding in 2014!

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  5. loved the state of Oregon but somehow we missed the CCC building near Sisters... we will have to look for it the next time we pass through that way...

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    1. There's a good reason to go back! Thanks for your message.

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  6. Carole, thank you for taking us along on your wonderful road trip through Oregon. Beautifully written post filled with stunning photographs! I love the oystercatcher. A joy to visit your fantastic blog!

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  7. Somehow I have forgotten about your great blog. I forgot to put it on my blog list. Love your Oregon trip. The art work from beac trash is such a good idea. The beach scenes are lovely and the lava fields amazing.

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