Oregon, We Have Arrived! PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 12 April 2004 00:00
 We go from one extreme to the other. Yesterday we were on the road at 7:00 AM and today we didn't hit the pavement until 12:00 noon. The weather was gorgeous again, clear blue sky and the temperature was running in the mid 20'sC (high 70'sF). We chose to take a less traveled route, Hwy 140 through Desert Valley, the Bilk Creek Mountains and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge into Oregon. The highway was great, though only two lanes, it was mostly flat with mountains on both sides, however when it was going through the mountains it was a lot different. The roads twisted around the crags with sheer drop-offs on one side and rock walls on the other. It was gorgeous, breathtaking and through it all, my husband the professional driver, remained unfazed.
 
While we drove through the wildlife refuge we were thrilled to see both wild burros and wild horses although from a distance. There was plenty of evidence that they venture on the road often however not today while we were there. Apparently now that the snow is gone, they go up into the hills more so we were fortunate to have seen them at all. At one point a single jackrabbit dashed in front of us, fortunately to safety in the brush at the side of the road. We also spied the odd antelope grazing in the fields along with the free range cattle.
 
Once we entered Oregon the landscape changed dramatically with pine trees, rivers and creeks becoming frequent sites. Tonight we are staying in a small community, Lakeview, at an elevation of around 4000 feet surrounded by snow-capped mountains with a geyser and hot springs nearby. We can watch the geyser shooting steam up 30 feet in the air every eight seconds and apparently by August it stops altogether until the following spring. Oregon is a pretty state. We are looking forward to exploring it more. Smile