DAY 24- On My Way to Bend...

I loaded up my gear and took my last look around Timberline Lodge.  It was a fun place to stay and the staff was just wonderful and very helpful.  I also really liked the idea of staying at a National Historical Site.  It was all worth the little bit of splurge.  I headed down the curvy 6 miles down to Hwy 26 and headed east.  The end goal for the day was Bend, OR.

Photo- One last look at Timberline Lodge while I got in the car.

It was quickly that I got over the mountain range that the landscape changed to a very dry arid area.  It looked like kindling for a fire; with tall grass that looked the color of wheat intermixed with juniper trees.  There was an abundance of dark lava rock croppings here and there.  There were a couple of sections where I drove through that looked like a fire had occurred within the last couple of years.  Tall tree stumps stood charred like lone soldiers on the horizon while others lay fallen.  There were an abundance of signs prohibiting fires or throwing cigarettes out of vehicles.

Photo- The amazing scenic viewpoint with a 300ft. drop
located just off a rest stop on HWY 20.

I had been told by a couple of people at Timberline Lodge to look out for Smith Rock State Park.  It’s a rock climbing mecca in the area.  While looking for that park, I stumbled upon the Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint.  It was a lava rock gorge area that went down for at least 300ft.  There was an older bridge that was part of a memorial highway and had a closed bridge that you could walk out on and look down.  I was getting dizzy from looking straight down.  But it was an amazing view and then there also was an old railway bridge that went over parallel to the other bridge.  Then, off on the other side was the bridge that the now Hwy 97 took over the gorge area.  It’s all part of a rest stop area for Hwy 97 and well worth the short walk to the overlook area.

Photo- Smith Rock State Park-- A mecca for rock climbers.

I finally found the turn off for Smith Rock State Park.  The road to it took you through a pretty valley area with horse ranches and farms with plenty of cows.  I saw a strange new sign I had never seen which looked like a person chasing a bike; strange.  I got to the park which was maybe 2 miles off the Hwy 20 and was kind of reminded of some rock areas down in southern Utah.  Some of these shear rock faces were about 200ft. tall.  I went down to the overlook area and asked where I could watch some of the rock climbers.  The lady said that it was too late in the day and that the rocks get too hot for the climbers to be on.  That was a bit of a disappointment.

Photo- Peacocks at the Peterson Rock Garden. 

Photo- Another peacock and the American flag done in rocks.

Photo- A wonderful bridge done in rocks.

Photo- A castle with its own moat at the rock garden.

The bar tender at Timberline’s Ram Head told me about a rock garden that was a bit off the beaten track and it was a bit run down but it might be a neat place to swing by and visit.  I stopped at the Peterson Rock Garden just south and out a bit from Redmond, OR.  A man did it as a little lifetime hobby of forming different sculptural pieces and putting gem stones on the outside of the pieces.  It kind of reminded me of a rock grotto that I had been to years ago in West Bend, IA.  I thought that it was a nice little place to stop and visit; all be it, maybe a little bit corny but still I enjoyed it.  Besides, the rock gardens there were about 6 to 7 live peacocks roaming the garden.

Next, it was finally on to Bend.  There was a great deal of hazy smoke as I got nearer.  I guess that there was a fire up by the Sisters area, a local mountain rec. area.  I wandered around the town and kind of totally got lost and turned around in their several round-a-bouts.  I think they have at least 10 of them in the city area and it makes it interesting finding your way around.  I just happened upon the Central Oregon Visitors center when I was looking through the Old Mill shopping Center; which is a cute new updated shopping center.  There was a bridge area and access to walking paths and bridges.  It was a very scenic little area with a great deal of people out enjoying it.  I got directions from the Visitor’s Center and went to the hotel.

Oooopps! I made the mistake and showed up a day early for my reservation.  I think I need to get a calendar!  The hotel was fully booked for the night but was nice enough to call a couple of other hotels in the area to find room for me.  I cancelled the next night’s reservation and followed a new set of directions to a La Quinta Inn in the south area of Bend.  Yep! I did it again and thank you Laura for pointing out that at least I’m consistent! J 

Photo- Bend's main street area.

Once I settled into the room, I was off to find some of the brew pubs I had gotten a map at the visitor’s center for.  I was off and back amid the round-a-bouts and really thinking I’ll be in need of a couple of beers after all of this. I was amazed that for a town the size of Bend (80,000) that it has 10 breweries.  I ended up McMenamin’s Old St. Francis for Happy Hour.  They have a Happy Hour?  Wow, that’s not something that you would find in Utah; course, you can’t get a pitcher of beer in most places in Utah.  McMenamin's is a 1936 Catholic schoolhouse in Bend that’s been retro-fitted to be not just a brewery, but also a pub, a bakery, a movie theater, an event space, and a hotel.  I guess that McMenamin’s is a chain that have done this with several other properties in the Oregon area but was told that this was the largest and best of them in the state. 

While enjoying my “Happy Hour”, I was listening (okay- eavesdropping) in on a couple at a different table.  It was a man and woman who had been friends for years and she was asking advice on what to serve a new boyfriend.  She described a dish and I was only half listening until he loudly said,” …with a side of bacon grease!”  I started chuckling and he told me he was sorry and that he would try that again when I was taking a swig of a drink.  I laughed and held up my empty beer glass and said hold on while I order another one!  We started chatting a bit after that while I finished my 2^nd happy hour beer. 

After that I walked around in the main street and was basically blowing some time until a free band event was going to be playing there at McMenamin’s.  They advertise free concerts for all ages where you can purchase all kinds of beverages and even bring in food from the restaurant part.  The group that was playing was a wonderful folksy group mix with a female vocalist that had a voice that reminded me a little of Nora Jones.  It was just a wonderful group.  I ordered a beer and sat down in a chair along the wall.  The place started to fill up. 

I ended up striking up a conversation with a woman that sat next to me.  When the band took a break, Erie, yes like the Lake, showed me around and through to the back where there were fire pits where you could take your drinks and sit outside next to these fire pits.  It was wonderful. 

On the way, she even pointed out a 1937 picture of the Catholic school cheerleaders lined up holding stuff deer heads.  I asked if their mascot was a deer she said she didn’t know but she thought it was terribly creepy.  She and I talked for a while and finally it was time to go home for the night.  Erie, she was SO nice and walked me back to my car and told me an easier way to get back to my hotel.  Thank you gal.  I made it safely thanks to you!

DAY 23- Redrum, Timberline, & Mt. Hood...

Redrum!  Redrum!  I survived the night at the Timberline Lodge which was featured in the 1980’s hit movie the Shinning that starred Jack Nicholson where he played the axe carrying Johnny that went very crazy.  Actually it was only the outside that they used in that movie but it seems like its reputation has stuck with the Lodge.  But supposedly, they have one of the axes that Jack ran around with in the movie in that outside scene.  For safety’s sake, they keep it behind the front desk (I found out later on); which is literally just a stone’s throw from my room that’s down the hall from the front desk.

Photo- Look out Johnny--- Here's Jeanne!
Supposely the prop that was used in The Shining.

But probably the scariest thing that happened during the night was a 3:30AM call of nature which forced me to climb down from the upper bunk bed in a pitch black room.  I’m trying to feel my way down the end of the wooden bunk bed frame as I’m trying not to pee.  Now THAT’s scary!  I ended up coming back from the shared restroom (I got the cheap rooms at the lodge with bunk beds and shared bathrooms) and opted to sleep in one of the lower bunks.  Hey, I’ve got four twin size bunk beds in my room.  I figure I can jump bed the next four nights and not sleep in the same place if I wanted.  But I’m really thinking I’m going to stay in the lower ones for safety’s sake after this.  There were plenty of the shared restrooms within a short distance of my room.

I got up early and went up to the second floor lobby area.  They had coffee and tea set up for guests to partake of.  It looked pretty but very windy outside and people that went outside were very bundled up.  I thought I would wait inside for the restaurant that serves breakfast starting at 7:30 am. 

I had a wonderful breakfast buffet at the Cascade Dining Room here at the Timberline Lodge.  I had waffles with blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries with a bit of whip cream.  Awe!  It was like heaven in waffle territory--- what can I say I LOVE my waffles!

Photo- The wonderful volunteer for the National Parks
that gave the tour of Timberline Lodge.

Next, I hung out until they did the 11AM US Forest Tour about the Timberline Lodge.  The volunteer forest ranger gave us background and some wonderful insider back stories to the building and life of the lodge to present day.  It was fascinating and made the lodge seem even more of a miracle that it was built in the 15 month time frame that it was built in.  They also very much encourage you to touch and enjoy the Lodge.  It is a living historical site.  They talked about Richard Kohnstamm who rescued the Lodge in the mid-1950’s from major disrepair and loving restored it.  He took over the management of the hotel/restaurants portion and made it a national historical site.  His son now manages the hotel/restaurant part today.

Photo- Sign on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Photos- The wonderful scenery along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Next, I went out on the Pacific Crest Trail which is an actual trail in the US that hikers can take from Mexico border to the Canadian border.  In fact, earlier on when I was waiting for the tour to start, two hikers came in with full backpacks that were looking to set down their packs and see if they could find a ride into town to get some supplies for their hike.  I hiked the Pacific crest trail but for only about 2 miles.  It was neat knowing that other hikers had done the whole thing and my steps had followed some of theirs even if but just a short bit.

Photo- Part of the main street area of Government Camp.

Then, I decided to go down to Government Camp.  It’s a small town that’s closest to Timberline Lodge.  It was originally formed when the WPA workers built Timberline Lodge; that was where they stayed as they were working.  At the time the Government Camp at 4000ft. was more accessible than the 6000ft. where the Lodge is.  Currently, Government Camp is where quite a few of the 100+ Timberline workers live.  It’s about 8 miles away. 

I opted to go down to Government Camp to check it out and maybe catch some lunch.  It’s a cute very small ski type of town.  There was one main street with a few restaurants, a couple of hotels, a few ski equipment rental places, a gas station, and one general grocery/liquor store.  Off to the side of that there were a bit of vacation rentals/resorts, and a little bit of apartments.  I found a little store that happened to be open; it’s off season right now with Timberline’s skiing being closed for a two week period right now.  So it was a bit of slim pickings of where you could eat.  It was a choice of a deli or the tavern; and I choose the deli.

Photo- A view of Trillium Lake where there's a wonderful reflection of Mt Hood.

After that I opted to see about possibly burning off the “Grilled Goofy” sandwich that I had; which was basically a Reuben sandwich without the sauerkraut.  I drove over the short distance over to the Trillium Lake where I took some wonderful pictures where Mt Hood reflects into the lake.  I then hiked the 2 miles a hiking path with boardwalk areas over swampy areas that went around the lake.  There were people fishing and paddle boating out on the lake.  There’s also a very good sized camping area at the state park that surround the lake.

Photos- Various interiors of the Timberline Lodge.

I drove back to the Lodge where I proceeded to go around on a self-guided tour of the art that is here in the public areas of the Timberline Lodge.  A majority of the 1930’s original art pieces are part of the WPA when the Lodge was built; quite a few have been lovingly restored.  There are oils paintings, carved wood reliefs, inlaid wood art and watercolors.  Some of the art is from the 1950’s when the Lodge was restored.  It all fits in well with the rustic atmosphere of the Lodge and then combined with all of the wrought iron details it makes for a wonderful tour.

Photo- Ram's Head Bar on the 3rd floor of Timberline's Octagon.

Next, I had dinner up at the Ram’s Head Bar and ended up visiting with a couple from Bend, OR.  I was trying to get the insider info. on what not to miss in the area.  Shawnee and Bruce were very helpful and I guess that Bruce is an avid wind sailor.  When I mentioned that I was a bit disappointed I didn’t see any wind surfing in Hood River.  He asked if the water was calm.  Yes, I said it was like glass.  That’s why he said it needs to be real chopping and really windy for the wind surfers.  The windy-ier the better!  Well, that explains it and here I thought they were all out to dinner!

DAY 22- Portland to Timberline Lodge

I got up early and figured I better get in a bit of cycling to work off that wonderful dessert I had the night before.  I put on my bike gear, grabbed my bike, and I was off to the bike path.  There seemed to be more commuter traffic at this time of the day.  It was chilly and there were a lot of them with bright yellow rain jackets zipped up.  I did pass a young girl that was wearing just a sweatshirt and a pair of what looked like short running shorts while commuting on her bike.  Brrr-rr-rrr!  I was barely keeping my teeth from chattering and was glad I wore my capris and my arm warmers.  I ended up just going in to Portland to a main bridge area and then I turned around.  It gave me about 13 miles but I tried to do it at a brisk pace; so I figured I might have started to burn off that amazing dessert I had last night.

I shower, changed, packed up, checked my email, and then I was off on the road.  It was about 11am.  Next I needed to fill up the gas in the car.  It’s against the law for you to fuel up your own car in the city limits of Portland; one of several strange laws that I learned on the Free Walking tour yesterday.  The first gas station that I went to wouldn’t take credit cards; debit cards only I was told in barely understandable English.  I will warn you that most of the northwest has been hit hard by the economy and as such a great deal the businesses out of necessity have gone to a cash only basis. 

So off I went to another station where they would take a credit card.  I told the guy to top it off after I asked about credit cards.  He told me that he couldn’t do that because it was a crime in Oregon and a $10,000 fine too.  He said he didn’t know how it was in Utah but they didn’t do stuff like THAT here in Oregon.  Okay, I said let me use another phrase… Filler up please!  Okay, little lady I can do that!  He then was also very helpful about giving me directions to get on the 205 freeway too.  I will say that in general I found Portlander’s very friendly and helpful if I was lost.

Photo- One of the first falls I came to along the Historic Hwy 30.

Next I was heading east along Columbia River to the gorge area.  Once in the Gorge area which was labeled with a sign on the side of the road; I took a turn off onto the Historic 30 Scenic highway.  The first section that I came upon of the Historic 30 was closed so I kept on the interstate 84 until the second section.  Off of this scenic by way there are several waterfalls that you can see.  Two of them are just off the side of the road and can easily be viewed then there are 3 others where a little hiking in is entailed.  I managed to see three of them along this section.

Photo- Bonneville Dam in background with a fish spill way in the foreground.

Then there was the Bonneville Lock and Dam that came up next.  I took the turn off and headed toward the visitor’s center.  Just before getting to the visitor’s center there’s a security check point.  The guard asked me if I had any guns and then asked to search my vehicle.  Meanwhile in my head, I’m thinking search my vehicle?  THAT could take hours dude!  I opened the back of my station wagon and went on to explain that I was sightseeing the entire country and had a lot of clothes, camping gear, and my bicycle with me.  He looked at me quizzically and then said,” Okay you can proceed ahead, ma’am. No backpacks or large purses in the visitor’s center.”  Off I went at the 15 mph speed limit driving right next to the Lock part on a narrow road with railroad tracks right down the center. 

The visitor’s center is between the lock and the dam.  I went in to the center expecting armed guards or something after the security guard at the booth but it looked like a crew of retired citizens were manning the center.  The building is labeled Army Corp of Engineers.  I watched a 5 min. video about how boats used the lock and looked around at diagrams of how the dam proceeded from a WPA program in the 1930’s to a more recent addition in 1993 because the need for more power was needed.  It was also interesting on how they designed the dam so that the salmon and other fish could still swim up the river and spawn.  I then walked around and looked at parts of the dam near the visitor’s center.  There were quite a few areas where it was authorized personnel only.

Photo- Even the Bridge of the Gods had a bit of construction.
Makes you wonder what the God's have been up to....hmmm

Next I crossed into Washington State over the Bridge of the Gods.  It only cost me a $1.  Toll bridges seem to be common in between the state of Oregon and Washington.  I drove along the two lane highway 14 and went through the town of Stevenson.  Yes, Ron I drove through your hometown.  I continued on the wonderfully scenic route until I got to the toll bridge that went across to Hood River; which is another toll bridge.  I got out two dollars and told the gal at the booth that the additional dollar was for the vehicle behind me.  I went rather slowly across the bridge; it felt strange driving my car on the metal grated surface of the bridge.  I figured it was a way to thank the car behind me for putting up with my slow driving.

Then, I did a typical Utah U-turn as I accidently drove past the turn off to the town of Hood River.  I proceed to have an Oregon driver that made me feel right at home by flipping me off and honking; almost felt like I was back driving in SLC.  I drove around for a bit in Hood River and looked over the river area hoping to see someone wind sailing but I’m guessing that they were all home having dinner as it was shortly after 5pm.  I pushed on for the Timberline Lodge where I would be spending the next two nights.

There was a bit of construction on the drive to Timberline Lodge but overall it wasn’t too bad and it was a very scenic climbing drive.  There were fruit orchards, farms, and vineyards along the way before you reach the Mt Hood National Forest.  It was a paradise in green.  Then, you are driving through evergreen forest.  I took the turn off for Timberline Lodge where it’s a 6 mile road where in winds and turns as it climbs up to the 6000 ft. where the lodge sits.  The lodge is right at the tree line area of Mt Hood.  Mt Hood is situated in Timberline Lodge’s back yard.

The building of the Lodge is just amazing!  It was built as part of a WPA program in 1936 and 1937; all using construction supplies from the local area.  It’s just mind boggling that it was built with such craftsmanship before so much of the tools were readily available. 

I quickly got checked into my bunkhouse like room and went to find a place to eat.  I was hungry!  I ended up having dinner on the upper floor area of the Timberline Lodge’s Octagon mezzanine area where I ended up being joined by a Canadian woman named Mavis for dinner.  She saw that I was sitting alone and I was at a table with a view.  She asked if she could join and I said sure.

Photo- Mavis my fun dinner companion at Timberline Lodge.

 We chatted along as we ate and I learned that she was a tiller for a boat team of an event that took place in Portland.  Her team had taken the gold medal for the category that they were in and she had decided to do a bit of sightseeing while she was in the area.  She was staying in Portland and it’s a short drive from there.  I told her about me taking the longer way along the Columbia River and sightseeing.  After dinner, we did a bit of sightseeing together in and around the lodge.  We exchanged email addresses and I gave her the link to my blog.  It was fun and she was fun to hang out with. Thanks Mavis!

Photo- The back of the Timberline Lodge as the sun is starting to set.
A very peaceful place I sat for just a bit.

Next, I went and did a bit more exploring around the Lodge and later on ended up in the bar area of the Mezzanine.  I enjoyed a hot buttered rum as I chatted with a couple that was visiting from New York.  After they left, I met some more New Yorkers (Was it New Yorker’s week and I didn’t get the memo?) and ended up talking about music.  When asked about what song I remember being a moment I told them it was Comfortable Numb by Pink Floyd and I was watching the Wall at a theater in which we were inhaling some good stuff.  Later, I discovered that they worked for a pharmaceutical company and I think that they were all on a retreat.  They were a bit off-ish after that.  Go figure!