 Three Sisters from Three Sisters Viewpoint on Hwy 20, midway between Sisters & Bend OR; late July 2024 Mt Hood & Mt Jefferson from Hwy 26 I thought Mt Hood would be uninteresting midsummer, sans snow cover, but actually it was interesting to see it with a lot of rock showing. Then I was excited to see what I took must be Mt Jefferson to the south of Hwy 26 east of the Cascades. More about Mt Hood and Mt Jefferson at
Warm Springs OR I was anxious to go to the Museum at Warm Springs, and I arrived during posted hours, but didin’t notice they close for lunch. Hopefully I can return with more time to visit the museum. I took some photos of the Casino and such, tried to find the resort (big signs saying it is now open). I didn't go down into the town itself. Museum at Warm Springs—2189 Hwy 26, Warm Springs OR Reasonable admission fee. Kah-Nee-Ta Hot Springs Resort--6811 Hwy 8, Warm Springs, OR 97761 I followed the Google maps directions, but at last I came to a barricaded roadway. I thought maybe they had moved, but once back home I still couldn’t find satisfactory directions. Eagle Crossing, Deschutes (River) Crossing & Warm Springs Boat Ramp (aka Warm Springs State Rec Site)Warm Not far southeast of Warm Springs is Eagle Crossing restaurant and a few businesses nearby, and just after crossing the Deschutes River is the Warm Springs Boat Ramp, with vault toilets, picnic tables, access to the river, and labeled map signs of the river. The river is known for trout & steelhead fishing. Madras OR Madras is only 15 mi from Warm Springs. With such a long list of things I wanted to see in two days, I decided I must return to explore Madras. I was, however, excited to see what I took as Mt Jefferson, again. Madras Mountain Views Scenic Bikeway Culver OR Not knowing how far off the Hwy The Cove Palisades would be, I decided to try to see that another time as well. At my computer, it doesn’t look that far. The Cove Palisades State Park—west of Culver OR, has some fun events Cove Palisades Resort & Marina-- 5700 SW Marina Drive, Culver OR 97734 Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint—20 miles south of Madras, 7 mi north of Redmond, Hwy 97 I had heard of this place, and was anxious to see more of it, since when I drove home from Klamath Falls in April 2024 via Hwy 97 I didn’t have time or stamina (it was such a long day) to see this great view. In July of 2024 I made a point of it, and how glad I was--spectacular views! Note the mention of Peter Skene Ogden on the Oregon History sign in the pull-off at Mill Creek Bridge on Hwy 26 northwest of Warm Springs OR, as well as in Oregon City OR. Terrebonne OR I went looking for the mountains west of town, but in April it wasn't clear what I was looking at. By July I thought I had some better views, but I'm still missing some notable mountains I'd like to picture. Smith Rock State Park—east of town This was not what I expected, but I think I had it mixed up in my mind with another place. Keep driving past the bivouac camping to eventually reach the Visitor Info center (merely a yurt), which was closed when I arrived. It’s an interesting place, with some accessible features. It can be hot and dangerous hiking, so be prepared. There was a little shop with ice cream just before entering the park.  Redmond OR Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint--7100 OR-126, Redmond, OR 97756 I googled how to get to Cline Falls, not realizing that that would be different than this viewpoint. Future goal. Petersen Rock Garden & Museum-- 7930 SW 77th St, Redmond, OR 97756 A bit in the toolies south of the city of Redmond. I got there after closing, low on gas and my phone camera overheating, but took what pictures I could of this fascinating place. Prineville OR--abt half an hour east of Redmond  Sisters OR Because all the accommodations in Bend that might be suitable for me (that is, with ADA rooms) were so expensive, I made arrangements to stay in Sisters, surprisingly less expensive--I suppose because it was off ski season. It’s a quaint western themed town with about all any visitors or residents might need, for its size. I was able to wheel from my hotel all the way downtown along a nice widely paved walkway the evening I arrived.
I settled into my room, ate something from home, and had time to wheel around and down into town and back. It was getting dark when I returned. Other businesses at the northwest end of town in the vicinity of Sisters Inn & Suites. Best Western close, but not shown. At least 3 churches not far: Episcopal, Catholic, and a Bible church. I wheeled the nice wide, essentially flat, paved trail into town along Hwy 20. Downtown Sisters OR Some highlights of downtown Sisters OR: Barclay Park, the Visitor Center/Museum/Fir St Park, the Library, The Belfry (live music, food & drinks, and event venue, great view from the belfry), Creekside Park (others I didn’t get to see, but wish I did: Park & View Of Central Oregon Mountains, and Village Green City Park) , Black Butte seen from town. Brochures & Pamphlets In July of 2024 I made the loop of Hwy 26 east, then south on Hwy 97, and back to Portland via Hwy 20 and 22. Through the wildfire haze I did get to see Mt Washington from near Santiam Pass.
Black Butte Ranch--10 min northwest of Sisters OR on Hwy 20 Three Sisters Viewpoint--midway between Sisters & Bend OR, Hwy 20 Tumalo State Park—4 mi north of Bend OR via Hwy 20; on the Deschutes River Picnic (2 group picnic areas), camping (2 seasonal group camps), cabins/yurts, flushing restrooms & shower, amphitheater, fishing, swimming, playground, trails, firewood sales, day-use fee; accessible camping, cabins/yurts (pets ok), flushing restrooms, hot shower, 2.4 mi trail. Note: Tumalo Falls is abt 45 min drive southwest of this park.  Bend OR I just couldn’t make it to the sunrise hot air balloon festival, but managed most of the places on my list. I’d still like to do a little more exploring around the historic center of town. Balloons over Bend Pilot Butte—1310 NE Hwy 20 (NE Greenwood Ave), Bend OR 97701 Pilot Butte was closed in April. Most of the photos below were taken late July 2024 when the haze of wildfire smoke from the west impaired the view. Great view of Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Black Butte and Mt. Hood on clear days, as well as Bend below. The narrow road that spirals to the top barely accommodates cars going up passing by those going down. Limited parking. Vault toilet. Two or three handicapped parking spots. Interesting interpretive signs.
A few more views of the Sisters and such . . . Juniper Park--800 NE 6th St, Bend, OR 97701; SE entrance at 7th & Franklin; photos taken April 2024 Family, friends, and community friendly park with great amenities, such as pool, playground, tennis, ballfield... Historic Downtown Bend Sadly, I didn't have much time to explore historic downtown Bend. The Old Mill District, the Deschutes River, and Parks along it, Bend OR McKay Park--166 SW Shevlin Hixon Dr, Bend, OR 97702; McKay is the park along the shore of Bend Whitewater Park (the Deschutes River); they are essentially the same park. Miller's Landing Park--55 NW Riverside Blvd, Bend, OR 97701; across the Deschutes River from McKay Park. Tumalo Creek--rentals, tours, lessons, shop—online & 3 locations in Bend OR Rehearsal for the show at Hayden Homes Amphitheater wafted across the Deschutes River as I wheeled about The Old Mill District--520 SW Powerhouse Dr, Bend, OR 97702 Farewell Bend Park--1000 SW Reed Market Rd, Bend, OR 97702; long & narrow along the Deschutes River Park & Float, ice rink, and Blakely Park Brochures  High Desert Museum--59800 US-97, south of Bend OR 97702 (photos from April & July 2024) It’s rather expensive, and it’s privately own by a consortium, so my Federal pass didn’t help. Still, it’s a fascinating place, with eclectic exhibits, a café, and too many tempting items in the gift shop (I had to put imaginary blinders on). Indoor exhibits--Art, Sasquatch, Exploration & Settlement, Desertarium , , , "Sensing Sasquatch" exhibit "Hall of Exploration and Settlement" Hall of Plateau Indians, Desertarium Unfortunately, I somehow missed the Hall of Plateau Indians . . . but found the desert exhibits interesting. On the way to the outdoor exhibits Outdoor exhibits: flora & fauna, pioneering, lumbering, Forest at Night Interactive, Birds of Prey Center Lumbering exhibits Forest at Night Interactive Experience The Birds of Prey Center had 2 entrances, both with nice sculptures. Back inside the museum: the cafe & gift shop  Lava Lands Visitor Center--58201 US-97, south of Bend, OR 97702 Visitor Center for the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, in the Deschutes National Forest, this is a fascinating place. A flat trail is called the Whispering Pines, and there’s the paved, partly accessible Trail of the Molten Lava that climbs up Lava Butte. There’s a shuttle that goes up to the top, which has a wheelchair lift. Parking was only $5, but with my Federal Pass there was no charge. Newberry National Volcanic Monument
Inside the Visitor Center--gift shop, exhibits, education room Trail of the Molten Land--just back of the Visitor Center; nice paved trail partway accessible Trail of the Whispering Pines--flat loop by the parking lot; my camera got too hot or memory too full for more pictures, but these show the essence: flat trail through the trees, a few picnic tables, informative signs. More info. vault toilets, & trails at the bottom of the parking lot Lava River Cave was closed by the time I arrived; ask the ranger above about accessibility "About 1 mile south of the Lava Lands visitor center, Lava River Cave is the only lava tube that's developed for visitors (bring a flashlight or rent a lantern for $5)." Vehicle reservations required. Entrance open 9am-2:30pm.
In April of 2024 I decided to come home from Klamath Falls via Hwy 97 north through Bend. For consistency in this post, I’ll continue south on Hwy 97 from Bend to Klamath Falls.
Central Oregon Travel Guide==2 editions
Sun River OR Pauline Lake Rd just north of La Pine--taken April 2024 La Pine OR--Apr 2024 Gilchrist OR--Apr 2024; history links below Crescent OR--Apr 2024 Chemult OR--Apr 2024 (these photos from south to north) Views of Mt Scott & Mt Shasta from Hwy 97 between Chemult & Collier State Park OR; Apr 2024 Collier State Park & Logging Museum See Chiloquin OR--Apr 2024 Klamath and Western Railroad Inc.--36951 S Chiloquin Rd, Chiloquin, OR 97624 Train Mtn RR Museum--36941 S Chiloquin Rd, Chiloquin, OR 97624 KLA-MO-YA Casino & Crater Lake Junction Travel Center
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Viking Fest in Poulsbo WA—May 2024 Looked so fun on the website, but I didn't make it this year . . . Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, June 21-23, 2024 --Clatsop County Fair & Expo Center, 92937 Walluski Loop, Astoria, OR 97103  Inside the Venue--the Arena and the Exhibit Hall (more about the Venue in an upcoming post with Astoria) Vendors were set up in the Arena room; here are only a few . . . challenging, as always, to take pics of the vendors without lots of people between the camera and the booths. Kid Activities were set up in the Arena room as well . . . There were many more food vendors than I expected, and couldn't try them all, much as I wished I could. Here are a few . . . I was enthralled with the performers, took a lot of pictures (too many to include here), but again, wasn't able to catch them all . . . Ceremonies for the festival royalty, raising the pole, audience participation dancing, and tug o'wars . . . Beer Garden--I was looking for the horses, but they were not in the barn, the Beer Garden was. Icelandic Horses Costumes--I wasn't able to catch the parade as it moved through both the Arena and Exhibit Hall . . . there was a costume show explaining about the heirlooms (a good word, since as far as I remember all the women's costumes were hand woven and embroidered and handed down from generation to generation). Of course throughout the day were many winsome wearers. Viking Encampment & re-enactors The spokesman for the portrayals admitted that their armor and setting was not exactly authentic to the Vikings: for the sake of safety, they cordoned off a zone of action, and wore protective gear of a later date. Of course, they also had rules of engagement that were to prevent causing any actual wounds. It was still very entertaining, and he had us all enthusiastically cheering them on with pretended calls for bloody violence.  Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival--June 21-23, 2024; news magazine sample content below. Astoria Nordic Heritage Park and the Finnish Brotherhood Hall in Astoria OR, and a couple other connections. Oregon Midsummer Festival at Nordic Northwest—June 28-29, 2024 8800 SW Oleson Rd, Portland OR Fogelbo house not open at the time; periodic tours are available. An interesting and informative article about Fogelbo Reconnoiter of the grounds of Oregon Midsummer Festival at Nordic Northwest Viking Encampment Activities Booths--outside & in Performers--principally an Estonian dance group, and Vasa Rosebuds dance local dance group for over 100 yrs. I wondered about Estonian dances at a Scandinavian or Nordic festival, but the announcer explained that Sweden ruled the area of Estonia for a long time, and some of the Swedish cultural influencees remained after they had gone. I took many more photos than these, entranced by the dancers and their costumes. As before, there was lots of delicious food on offer . . . At the Midsummer Pole Nordia House at Nordic Northwest--8800 SW Oleson Rd, Portland OR A big screen just inside the door cycles through the frequent events & activities offered at Nordic Northwest, and photos of the Nordic Countries. Junction City Scandinavian Festival—2nd Thurs thru Sunday in August 195 W 5th Ave, Junction City OR Unfortunately, I had already made reservations for the Midsummer Renaissance Faire below, and couldn't go to both in 2024. Hope to go in future. Midsummer Renaissance Faire—5 weekends in July & Aug Vikings & Barbarians weekend: Aug 10-11 18601 Sky Meadows Lane, Snohomish, WA 98290 Rainier’s NorseWest Viking Fest—Sept 11-12, 2024; cancelled for 2024 --Wilkowski Park in Rainier WA Norse West Viking Festival, one week in September; free 750 Mill Rd SE, Yelm WA Northwest Viking Alliance Viking Market—Oct 12-13, 2024 --Dragon’s Gate Brewery, 52288 Sunquist Rd, Milton-Freewater OR 97862
Viking Festivals Around the World  https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gokstad-ship-model.jpg Books and Links to Scandinavians & Vikings, and Nordic Influence
History of Scandinavia: Every Year—8 min video of how the map changed from 200 AD to present History of Scandianavia—7.5 min video (year by year, wider map) Where is Scandinavia? (Does it include Finland?)—3.5 min video discussion Is Finland a Scandinavian Country?—entertaining 14 min video with history & some geography, linguistics ... Lapland Nordic influence in Estonia Countries That Were Raided or Settled by the Vikings
Nordic influence on Modern Culture “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Frozen” films Hagar the Horrible comic strip Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” is set in Denmark 100 famous Scandinavians
 Cape Meares coast as the fog rolls in Hwy 6 Hwy 26 west from Portland OR to the Coast/US Hwy 101 needs badly to be widened all the way. About 20 miles west of Portland, Hwy 6 is an exit to the left off Hwy 26. It's a beautiful ride out in the country (as is much of Hwy 26 once past the Portland metro area), until it starts uphill into the Coast Range. In the mountains the highway department has a real challenge with slope stabilization for a long way (rough road). As might be expected, there are trailheads & campgrounds along the way. Below are some places to go/see. John W. Blodgett Arboretum of Pacific University--Gales Creek in the Coast Range west of Glenwood OR Tillamook Burn historic marker—milepost 29.68 on Hwy 6
Tillamook Forestry Center-- 45500 Wilson River Highway (aka Hwy 6), east of Tillamook OR It's a one way drive through the parking lot of the forestry center. There's parking for regular vehicles and longer ones. There's a day-use area with restrooms a half mile east, in case it's after hours. Tillamook OR The beautiful forested Coast Range opens up to a beautiful flat farmland valley of Tillamook OR. Tillamook Air Museum--6030 Hangar Rd, Tillamook, OR 97141 Port of Tillamook & Officer’s Row--Blimp Blvd off Long Prairie Rd, Tillamook OR Port of Tillamook--4000 Blimp Blvd, Tillamook, OR 97141 Fairview Grange--5520 Third St, Tillamook OR Tillamook County Fairgrounds--4603 3rd St, Tillamook, OR 97141 Lillian A. Goodspeed Park & skate park--2800 3rd St, Tillamook, OR 97141 Tillamook City Tillamook County Pioneer Museum—2106 2nd St, Tillamook, OR 97141
Cape Meares Lighthouse--3500 Cape Meares Loop, Tillamook, OR 97141 One of my principal purposes for going to Tillamook was to see this lighthouse. By the time I arrived the fog was rolling in, so no clear views of the ocean, but I think still plenty of interesting and lovely views. I missed seeing the Octopus Tree, as it was unclear to me whether it was up the road .1 mi, or up the trail by the restroom. The person I asked didn't know (had only been there many years ago), and my wheelchair battery was dangerously low, so I didn't dare explore further with it. Too bad! It appears to have been up the trail by the restroom only .1 mi. Memaloose Point Boat Launch--1985 Bayocean Rd NW, Tillamook, OR 97141 Returning to Tillamook from the west North of Town Blue Heron French Cheese Co-- 2001 Blue Heron Rd A, Tillamook, OR 97141 Lattimer Quilt & Textile Center--2105 Wilson River Loop, Tillamook, OR 97141, an inconspicuous road/place Tillamook Creamery-- 4165 N Hwy 101, Tillamook, OR 97141 This was another principal objective of my trip to Tillamook. I arrived late in the day, which made it easier to take less obstructed photos. I'm including a pic of a truck from Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum in Hood River OR. |
