Oregon: Center to Northeast

I thought my tires were dirty!

June 2, 2026: I headed up the highway from Klamath Falls to Bend, but the traffic was so congested with construction stops making it worse I veered to the east toward Christmas Valley. That sounds like a festive area! It was not. Dusty, desert landscape with ugly scrub brushes and tumbleweeds. Not one tree as far as the eye could see. There was nothing Christmasy about Christmas Valley. Very disappointing. 

I continued driving through a very boring desert turning north into the Malheur National Forest. I was very thankful to see a a beautiful green landscape with huge pines, twisty highway through the canyons. I camped north of Burns on one of the forest roads. With the exception of rodents chewing at Big Blue all night, it was peaceful. I was worried they were rats or mice so I got up early and banged at the floors and walls, starting the engine hoping to scare them away. Later as I was making breakfast and toasting some bread, which smelled heavenly, a whole herd of chipmunks came running out of the woods and circled my van. OMG! There must have been about ten and one of them was big and fat. I opened the side door and screamed at them to go away. They did!

I continued driving north through some cute towns like John Day and Prairie City. I was really tired from waking up so early so I pulled off on forest road 300 to Social Security Point. The road goes down to a lake, but on the way are a handful of campsites tucked in among the pines. Lots of chipmunks here, too. I hiked down to the lake and along it for a while before returning to the van. This campsite was in the Wallowa Whitman National Forest. It sprinkled off and on all day.

June 4, 2026: Headed to Hell's Canyon through Baker City (cute town with cathedral and food co-op), Le Grande (outstanding food co-op in an artsy neighborhood), Enterprise (beautiful court house), and Joseph (really cool town!)

Enterprise Court House

Gorgeous landscape all the way with canyon highways, pine forests, agriculture, and a mountain range that looked like Switzerland!

The road to the Hell's Canyon Lookout was paved all the way, but Google Maps kept sending me offroading on roads that were "NOT RECOMMENDED FOR PASSENGER CARS!" WTH?? 

They were dirt with deep potholes and water ruts. The first one I went down for about a mile and then Google Maps said, "Turn right" and the dirt road was overgrown with weeds and bushes! Can't trust Google ...either that or they have it out for me. I realized quickly I needed to stick to the pavement and hope for the best. If pavement runs out, hopefully there is enough room to turn around and go back. Gorgeous views with every color of wildflower covering the landscape. June is wildflower month!

The road all the way to Hell's Canyon Lookout was paved including the lookout itself with paved walkways and pit toilets. I love parking on pavement! Last year when I was in Idaho I wanted to see this canyon, but the only way to the rim was on a rocky, dirt road with no guarantee of a view. And it was July so very hot. I'm glad I finally got to see it...from the Oregon side.

I stayed the night. Quiet and peaceful. A few vehicles would pull in, their passengers would look at the views, and then leave. I was alone all night. Just the way I like it!

June 5, 2026: Made my way back to Minam Friday night. Not much on iOverlander for overnight parking locations so I pulled into the Minam State Recreation Area next to the river where all the fishermen were hanging out. The office was closed. I walked around and looked for "No Overnight Parking" signs. None. Then I noticed on the side of the office "Park Host" with an RV. I asked if I could park overnight and she said, "Yes!" This is so convenient as the RAILRIDING is across the river. I did want to stay another night at Hell's Canyon, but worried leaving early in the morning in the dark to get here to my RAILRIDING appointment I might drive off a cliff.

I walked to the Minam Store to find some carbohydrates to load up for tomorrows ride. Asked how much the eggs were...FREE! They look like fresh eggs from real chickens. FREE! Can't beat free! I am so easily entertained!

June 6, 2026: RAILRIDING! Eva was my guide for the 9am tour. It was just the two of us which I liked and she was not scented. I feared proximity to stinkers. Unfortunately, it was cloudy and cold. It wasn't supposed to rain until Monday, but...of course as soon as railriding was over, the sun came out! It was fun, not as relaxing as I thought it would be. Eva is an Amazon woman! Tiny, little eighteen year old who has a lot of strength and energy. I think we went too fast. Maybe she had other plans for Saturday? Still, I pedalled all the way and back for two hours. The river was gorgeous and the air smelled so fresh. My legs were wobbly, my butt aches, and my knee twinged as we arrived back, but I kept pedalling. I'm exhausted. It was good exercise and I wasn't even sore the next day.

Camped at Spring Creek between Le Grande and Pendleton. I was exhausted and thought I'd rest around 2pm...I didn't wake up until 7pm and then slept all night! Very quiet night once the ATVs stopped racing up and down the dirt road throwing dust all over.

June 7, 2026: The Pendleton Wool Mill is closed on the weekends so I drove to Kennewick for some supplies then to Walla Walla to see the Whitman Mission. (See post for Washington) This whole area called the Walla Walla Valley in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon is all agriculture, patchwork of crops. It's very beautiful, but I worry about all the pesticides. 

June 8, 2026: Left Washington and back tracked to the Pendleton Wool Mill hoping for a tour, but they had a fire last week so no tours for two weeks. Instead, I bought a wool blanket!!

It was flawed so I got a discount. I cannot tell where the flaw is, but I know their inspectors are very picky. I am worried the dyes are giving me problems. I get a sore throat when around it. I put it in a duvet and hope that works, but it just made the duvet stink. I might have to wash it and then rinse it in vinegar. It might shrink! The longer I'm around it the sicker I feel. I remember this feeling the first time dyes poisoned me in college. I guess I should have bought a white or natural color instead of brightly dyed, but I live in a van and I kept thinking it might get dirty. Live and learn. Problem is I always forget my lessons and repeat my mistakes.