Thursday, November 8, 2001

Hello from Bend, Oregon!

Start time: 0730

Start odometer: 24195

Weather: Foggy morning, with skies clearing soon after being on the road. Temperature 35 degrees F., up to a max of 61.

I had an interesting day with some great roads to drive! I took a few hikes and drove through many different landscapes. This afternoon, I was unable to locate one museum of interest, so I stopped at another museum, which brought me to Bend.

The day started with a nice drive towards the Cascades, finding a covered bridge along the way west of Vida. The waterway crossed was the McKenzie River.

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Goodpasture Bridge, built in 1938.

A look at on of the louvered windows inside the bridge.

For size perspective, a log truck can be seen exiting the bridge.

Continuing the drive, I left Route 126 to take the road through McKenzie Pass, Route 242. It was a neat road, and I saw very few cars for the forty miles to the next town. The landscape changes are dramatic, with forests, lava flows, and high prairies seen along the way. I took a trail to an interesting waterfall, where no water visibly flowed from the pool at the base of the falls! I also walked along lava flows, observed craters, and visited a lava rock "observatory" built by the CCC. I enjoyed this road very much!

The entrance sign to Oregon Route 242 and McKenzie Pass.

The road beyond the entrance, with warning signs!

Posted road information.

The trail to lower and upper Proxy Falls described in this post.

A pretty trail...

...That became a little slick due to frost.

The lower Proxy Falls.

A closer look at the falls.

Continuing on the trail, I stopped at the upper Proxy Falls.

Another view of the upper falls.

This pool of water is located at the base of the falls, but there is no visible outflow of water!

Back at the parking area for the trail, and looking towards to road ahead.

Some history of the road.

A view of the Three Sisters.

This gravel side road leads to Scott Lake.

A view of Belknap Crater.

The story of John Templeton Craig, near McKenzie Pass.

Another view of the Three Sisters.

The Dee Wright Observatory, built in the 1930s by the CCC. For height reference, note the person in the center of the picture walking the trail.

A view from the observatory of Mount Washington to the left, Mount Jefferson to the right.

The building was constructed with holes through the two foot thick walls. This allows the observer to see landmarks indicated on the signs posted under the openings.

From the observatory, my car in the parking area with the Three Sisters in the background beyond the lava flow.

Another view of Mount Washington.

McKenzie Pass sign.

After my drive through the pass, I arrived in Sisters, Oregon. It is another town that sets itself as an old western town. Many shops line the streets, and it was bustling today.

My next planned stop was the Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Unfortunately, the visitor center was closed (since just past Labor Day,) so I continued on an open park road to the Deschutes River and took an interpretive trail.

Store in the town of Sisters.

The Sisters Post Office.

This car was parked in the lot...

...Of this rock shop!

One more view of the Three Sisters. This vantage point allows the viewing of all three peaks.

Along the trail taken in the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

A view of the Deschutes.

I drove to Redmond to look for a museum listed in one of my travel books, but was unable to locate it. While traveling to Newberry, I noticed The High Desert Museum. This was to be my next stop this afternoon. It is a very interesting museum with many exhibits discussing the land, people and animals of the high desert regions. Because of time restraints, I was only able to visit a few exhibits, including the birds of prey, otter, and porcupine displays. I will return tomorrow.

In this and the next frame, two of several birds of prey on exhibit at the museum.

The museum had a porcupine environment

Tomorrow should be an interesting day once I decide where I will go! Since I like to get an early start, I will probably return to the Newberry Volcanic Monument for a morning hike. That should allow time for a museum to open. After researching the Museum of the Fantastic, it appears to be closed. Maybe I will take a trip up Pilot Butte for its 360 degree of the area. Later tomorrow, I hope to get to or near Crater Lake! Thank you for taking the time to visit and read the page!

Routes traveled today: Oregon 126 - Or 242 - US 20 - US 97

Lodging: Palmer's Motel -

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