It was mid-morning when we left Boise taking I84 to the Oregon border and then connecting with US 20 West.
I found out that US 20 is the longest road in America. It stretches from Boston, MA to Newport, OR.
It passes miles and miles of farmland.
The rolling hills of the high desert were nice and green.
We stopped overnight at Burns, OR and were treated to a dazzling sunset.
The next morning we continued west through the high desert. I was captivated by these clouds. They look like they had been squeezed out of a tube...............just like a churro.
A first glimpse of those snow covered Oregon mountains. We were soon in Terrebonne (about 25 miles north of Bend) to spend a few days with Saxon and Don. Were we ever spoiled. Gypsy was parked and connected to water and electric in their front yard and the Navigator didn't even get unhooked. They were great tour guides and Saxon cooked the most delicious meals. What a treat!
After a delightful evening visiting the next morning they took us to The Cove Palisades State Park.
The Billy Chinook Lake is surrounded by towering basalt lava cliffs.
Don explained that the reservoir is made up of the Crooked, Deschutes and Metolius rivers. ( I hope I got that right.)
Woo Hoo! Don took us for a boat ride.
What fun. Walt and I couldn't remember the last time we had been on a boat on a lake.
The skies were clear and blue and the air warm but not hot.
The massive rock walls and ever changing colors of the water kept me taking photo after photo.
That is the dam that holds it all together.
Unusual cliffs and here the water was a pretty shade of green.
Thanks Don for a really fun time on the water.
But, the boat wasn't done yet. We were joined for the day by Saxon and Don's daughter, April, and the two grandchildren, Chelsea and Nate. What a fun pair of kids. Lots of good natured teasing.
Chelsea waterskiing. Both she and Nate flew by us on skis.
Nate loves to fish. He came prepared with 3 fishing poles. He explained that they each have a specific purpose. Must be why Walt never catches fish. He doesn't have the right pole.
On our way back from the lake we stopped at the Crooked River High Bridge.
Stunning view down the 300 foot canyon. This is the railroad bridge west of the pedestrian and roadway bridges.
When the new bridge was completed in 2000 the old bridge that was built in 1926 was opened for pedestrian traffic with a nice park along the cliff edges. The bridges are quite close together. The green one is the old bridge and the terra cotta arch is the new one.
Lots of greenery way down there. Another great meal shared and a good nights sleep and more to do the next day.
The next day we went to the High Desert Museum.
It is a wonderful museum just south of Bend that has something for everyone. It has history, animals and art.
Chelsea and Nate played with the hoops. Just like the pioneer kids did.
Not sure if there was a winner.
I am glad this poisonous green vine snake was behind glass. He was constantly moving, winding his way in and out of the plants.
The museum is on 135 forested acres. We attended the Raptors of the Desert Sky show.
It was quite a thrill to see the birds flying free overhead and landing nearby. Isn't this barn owl gorgeous? Owls hunt at night but she seemed happy to come out in the daytime.
The lady giving the talk about the birds told us that a Common Barn Owl can locate a mouse in zero light – for example, in pitch darkness using only its hearing to locate and catch the moving mouse.
The turkey vulture has a face that probably only a mother could love.
They are possibly the commonest raptors in the Americas. Their main diet is dead animals and serve as the clean up crew of the land.
If my memory serves correctly this is Kestral falcon. Speedy little bird darted around the area and hardly stopped on the perches. Then it was time for a Peregrine falcon. It flew in and flew off..............no participation in the show today for it. Higher and higher, distracted by all the wild birds in the air. The handlers weren't worried. They say they usually come back and if not they have trackers on them so they can find them. What a great exhibit. We really enjoyed it.
Everyone had to wait for me as I lingered and lingered watching the River Otters.
What busy little animals. In and out of the water entertaining all who watched. From the museum we went to lunch at a really great Chinese Restaurant.
All too soon it was time to leave our generous host and hostess and head further west. Thank you Saxon and Don for your hospitality and the good times.