Central and Eastern Oregon

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon—the west side (the “wet side”) of the Cascade Mountains.  I remember my first trip to central Oregon, a family outing to Warm Springs (in the pre-Kah-Nee-Ta Resort days).  We had just passed Mt. Hood, and we descended into a thick evergreen forest.  This part of the trip seemed interminable.  Eventually I saw a “light at the end of the tunnel.”  The Douglas fir trees began to diminish, replaced by large Ponderosa pines.  Then, the trees disappeared altogether.  I had never seen such a magnificent vista—nothing blocked my view!  Mt. Jefferson and the Three Sister stood prominently against a blue sky, and the terrain was dry and rugged.  I opened the car window, and the air was warm, scented with juniper.  In my mind’s eye, I could see cowboys on the dry plain and Indians on the rocky plateaus.  I felt at home in a way I never felt in western Oregon, and I told myself that one day I would move here.  Well, that day hasn’t come yet, but I do look for every opportunity to cross the mountains to this beautiful land. 

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Wallowas - Towns

Total Eclipse, John Day, Oregon

Wallowas - Nature

Chief Joseph Days