A two day trip over the Cascade Mountians and into Central Oregon

Saturday we took off from our house and headed towards Mt. Hood, over the pass and down into Central Oregon. "The other Oregon," as it is referred to by Oregonians.

This picture of Mt. Hood was taken as we drove through Boring, Oregon and onto Highway 26 East. We drove for three hours, entered the resort of Eagle Crest, where our daughter and her family were taking a much appreciated break! Of course our granddaughter was there, and one of the first things she wanted to do was go swimming! The delight on her face transcends happiness! She is a water baby. and even slipping underwater does not scare her or slow her down in the slightest. She made many attempts at getting into the big pool. but her daddy was able to keep that from happening.. just barely! Coming up for air...........and continuing to smile! Sunday was so beautiful and fresh! The sky was a show of blue and amazing white clouds. Central Oregon landscape is quite different from the Willamette Valley. There are wide open spaces, juniper, sage, and pine forests with no underbrush. In the valley there is a great deal of underbrush, more Cedar and Fir trees, which is a striking contrast to the high desert.
Before noon Jim and I decided to take a walk down along the Deschutes River. It was just below the condo we were staying in. The path was steep but flat once we got to the bottom. This was our view as we walked along the river. Juniper trees and sage brush smelled wonderful! See the high cliffs above the river.

The river is pristine, rushing through the rock formations surrounding it. As we look up towards the sky, on our side of the river, we see rock and more rock. The path had many deer tracks and evidence of other wildlife close by!

We found this tree that a beaver must have just finished cutting down when he heard us coming. No sign of the beaver but it was clearly a close intersection!

Here we are all bundled up in the sun and cold air. Thanks for following our short two day journey to Central Oregon!

As we drove home Monday before noon we could see the Three Sisters mountain formation, and Three Fingered Jack out towards the blue horizon!