Jul 13, 2014

 

After collecting a tourist guide from the hotel we decided to strike out off the track to check out Pilot Rock. We were told it was impressive and a nice ride. It was a pleasant ride through open grassy hills with lots of sweeping corners and no trees to speak of so visibility clear for many corners in advance at times but instead of a Devils Tower type arrangement we expected to see, this was in fact Pilot Rock which a very forgetable town was named after.

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Not all for nothing, Norm spotted this sign which reminded him of the 'Indian Lake' song.

 

However.......the ride from here to Heppner and back into Lexington was an absolute blast! We climbed up and down mountains with magnificent sweeping views down valleys and threaded between great valleys with rugged rocky outcrops and found one switch-back after another. This 'No center stripe' sign intrigued me, surely the people who did paint the sign could have removed this and many others saying the same thing and then we came upon the truck doing the painting.Ha ha.

 

On top of the world and looking back down the valley on the way to Heppner.

 

We came across a collection of apparently abandoned timber barns and outbuildings. The big one literally built into the side of the hill. Clearly this is not in tornado alley or they would have disintegrated long ago.

 

The Heppner Court House. We thought it was abandoned with the barricade across the door but the cupola and clock has only recently been replaced after being repaired and they are still making sure it is secure before it is removed.

 

Main Street. It appeared to have been a grand town which has it's challenges as a lot of rural and regional towns here and at home have.

 

We headed back though Echo and Hermiston to cross the mighty Columbia River having been told it is a nicer ride on the Washington State side of the river. These are the bridges which cross the river at Umatilla and once we we crossed we found the temperature dropped when we were close to the water and the whitecaps on the river confirmed the wind was blowing across the water from the south which I guess explained that.

 

The ride was indeed spectacular with steep grassy hills with rugged rocky outcrops and cliff faces and the massive river winding it's way down on our left with an occasional vineyard and orchard as well. When we were in Portland in 1998 we were told the Columbia River discharges more water into the sea each year than the sum total of all rivers in Australia. Don't know if that is right but even if it is only close it's awesome. It is the border between the States of Oregon and Washington and makes the 'Mighty Murray' look a bit of a trickle between New South Wales and Victoria! We stopped at a quirky collection of buildings, bits and pieces and 'shame file yards' in Roosevelt and had a delicious burger and plank fries (huge). These were the 2 bikes there when we got there and ours.

 

These belonged to a group of friends heading east for 10 days on their first day out. Reminded us of the Tassie Tigers from the Traralgon Easyriders who went to Tasmania with us. Missing you guys and enjoying so many rides you would all love!

By the way, we had some rain spots and strong winds complete with black skies and lightening in the distance as we headed for The Dalles this afternoon and could see rain sweeping toward Mount Hood standing in all it's snow covered glory. It is snow covered all year but was shrouded in fog the whole time we were in Portland last time we were here so couldn't see it from a distance, only up close when we drove up to the Lodge where 'The Shining' was filmed. We enjoyed the weather cooling down soon after we got in this afternoon and heard on the TV weather a short time ago that it had cooled down to 102 F! 

It should also be said that the farther north we travelled the more we were grateful for the cloud / smoke cover. There have bee many wildfires in Washington State over the last week so reduced the sun penetration somewhat.

Even though we weren't right on the official 'Oregon Trail' we were pleased to see things honouring the emigration and the settling of the land we passed through with signs where we crossed trails as well as an Oregon Trail Library in Heppner and a Memorial with a wagon and a windmill in Lexington. Looked good.

Bits and Bobs:

 

A quirky stool (and company to chew the fat with) in The Dalles at our Inn.

Last Night's Accommodation:

Oxford Suites Pendleton, 2400 SW Court Place, Pendleton, OR 97801

Good decor and well maintained building and surroundings and an elevator tonight. Yay. Comfortable bed. Good sized room and good amenities. AC, swimming pool, gym, included parking, wifi, hot breakfast. On the outskirts of town so a bit of a hike to dinner so we ordered a pizza. Better than going back out in the heat so worked well.