 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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Wheelchair WomanI've been in a wheelchair for 30+ years. It poses some challenges for traveling. Maybe others can benefit from my experiences. Archives
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