Unable to make our way across the world for our planned 3-week trek through Europe we quickly organized a 2-week trek through Oregon.
IMPORTANT: See additional pictures for each hop by scrolling left/right on the photo. To see photo captions, you have to provide an email address or use FB to login. Access each days’ route video animations with maps and pictures set to music in the link (no account required).
A quick stop to stretch our legs at the sundial bridge
Lunch in Weaverville - the town was underwhelming but the brew pub exceeded expectations
The town that hosts CSU Humboldt has classic architecture and a central square surrounded by coffee shops, boutiques, and cafes. It’s in every way a college town.
There’s something fun about arriving to Paul Bunyan speaking to you. We covered a lot of ground in the park - literally. After we enjoyed the tree canopy trail, we stopped at the Cathedral Tree, where Robert knelt and asked if I would commit to spending the rest of my life with him. After 7 years of love and adventure, I said yes!
Not fast, but really good fish and chips!
2 BDR unit on the beach - what a sunset to celebrate!
Jeff was our captain with co-pilot Gus, the mini Aussie. We saw eagles, osprey, a deer and a bear on our 52-mile ride delivered with twists, turns, sprays, and slides. The warm weather made the wind and water welcome companions. You will get wet!
Not fancy but very comfortable. The food, served in boxes from a window, was delicious. It was a peaceful quiet place to enjoy beautiful views and hikes along the Rogue River.
We hiked to Paradise creek and swam in the pools at Blossom creek. Very relaxing and beautiful. Saw 3 piles of bear scat - pure blackberry jam!
After breakfast and a short hike to the pool at Paradise creek, we explored the grounds and hopped aboard the westward bound boat back to Gold Beach. Saw an eagle, 2 fawns, a bear and a seal. We forgot to keep our jackets handy and it was downright cold by the end of our ride. The temp dropped some 30 degrees from start to finish of the 52-mile run downriver.
Aw Deschutes! No route video for day 4
Back to our suite to shower, do laundry, make dinner (frozen pizza and salad) and prepare for tomorrow.
Awakened by the blaring signal to summon the volunteer firefighters at 5:15 am, we set out early hoping to beat the heat. It was 52 degrees with dense fog when we left and it brightened and warmed considerably by the time we reached Cave Junction.
Hey all you cool cats and kittens... Although in cages, this park seems to care for their residents - several dozen wild cat species - many of whom are trained ambassadors and show cats. It’s spectacular to see them up close (6 feet through the fence). There’s not a lot of shade here so going early in the day is advised in the summer.
Taylor’s has an amazing array of smoked, cured, and fresh meats. The sausages and cold beer were a welcome break from the heat. The candied meat strips are amazing, but there was little distinction in flavor between the meat sticks (skip those).
Beautifully preserved in the gold rush period, the town of Jacksonville was passed over by the railroad which prevented the modernization that came to Medford just to the East, but this maintained the town as a historical landmark. Strolling, wine tasting, and dinner on a lush patio completed the evening.
A comfy place to call home for 2 nights while we are in this area.
A short hike off the road leads to views of 2 spectacular falls and class V rapids. Morning sun makes them difficult to photograph but they are worth the hike to see. Use the shortcuts for shorter but steeper hikes to access the views.
Although the air and lake were not as brilliant as expected due to the smoke from wildfires, it’s still an impressive place. With the clearest and deepest water in the US, Crater Lake is a gem of southern Oregon.
This friendly bistro provided a pleasant outdoor patio and served delicious meals.
After breakfast, we walked up the hill to the all denomination cemetery. Those memorialized here have a great view of the town below. The oldest grave marker we saw was someone born in 1822.
Established by Peter Britt, this lovely area (usually) hosts a summer music festival.
We found a gem in the foothills that specializes in Spanish, Portuguese and French wines. Since we couldn’t get to Europe it was a pleasant surprise. They partner with a local safari park and fertilize with elephant poo - as if I needed another reason to like this place! Splurge and get the $20 tasting - it’s worth the price!
Comfortable rooms with a view of the town and port.
Some interesting sculptures among the trinket shops and crab shacks.
The best part of this meal was the view. Save your money and eat elsewhere.
Crushing along and then somehow we reached a little past the boundary and ... waited for the tow truck. Oh, the rogue!
A craft brewery that serves smoked salmon is the perfect place to chill after a traumatic afternoon in the sand....
Tonight’s lodging is on the beach!
Our planned waypoints were not open, but luckily we found two tasting rooms, some history, and a nice bistro for dinner.
Ah Deschutes, it was a wind whipped and smokey day all around. The air quality at the top of Mt Hood was clear, but the layer of smoke in the valley below did not bode well for what was to come.
Down the mountain and into the smoke... to the little town of Dufur where we found a historic museum.
These falls generate power and the platforms are used for fishing.
This ghost town has a few residents but it’s rather desolate.
A magnificent view of the gorge 300 feet below is beheld by a short walk across the old bridge (now pedestrian only).
After a full day of strong winds and heavy smoke, we arrived at our cottage. There is red flag warning and unhealthy air quality. Hoping tomorrow will improve...
Walking around town in the morning and enjoying clear fresh air
This place must have been quite beautiful when it was maintained. While the structures are still impressive, the look cheesy amid the unkept gardens. The peacock was unafraid which may account for the missing tail feathers.
Pedaled around town, got massages, had lunch at Deschutes followed by gelato, buying a berry pie at the farmers market, and drinks and dinner at the Pine Tavern.
On our way out of Bend, stopped to see the obsidian flow. It’s hard to describe the lustrous boulders of smooth black glass amid the mountain of pumice.
Another quick stop at the falls while we were in Newberry
Onward to Fort Rock. What seems from a distance to be a large rock turns out to be an enormous semi circle made by a volcano in a prehistoric lake. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the comfortable shaded picnic area with decent bathroom facilities.
Caught in a smokey gap between the coastal and mountain air, we stopped for refreshment at the saloon.
This short cut would be fine in any car, but was a bit of a challenge on a1000 lb touring bike.
Don’t be fooled by the outside - the food, service, and lodging (although not fancy) was wholly adequate.
Ah, Deschutes! We woke to poor air quality throughout Northern California and decided it was best to head home than risk getting caught somewhere remote just to get in one last day on the road. Was it coincidence that the last road before we hit the freeway was named Deschutes Rd?
365 miles today - half of it on the freeway and none of it with clear blue skies. But most importantly, we arrived safely despite the bad air and Friday traffic.
Our 2-week trip was filled with great fun, food, and friends, surprises, snags, natural beauty - and love! Overall it was the best we could have managed as an alternative to our initial plan (Europe) and we are always grateful - despite the many inconveniences presented by 2020 - for the amazing wonders this world has to offer.