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After COVID-19 in '20 put off the 78th annual Morton Logger’s Jubilee, I was excited to be able to go this year . . . except for the heat. Even though the skies were hazy from far away fires, 92º and humidity kept the ice cones and cold drinks from food vendors in bustling business. I took a couple ice bottles—drink bottles I refill with water and freeze—in a “shiny bag” (cool bag) to protect my legs as best I could, and drank the ice water as it slowly melted. Additionally, hats and sun lotion were in order. Morton’s Loggers Jubilee website had a helpful map, but I also contacted them to check on accessibility and when it was wise to arrive. The woman went out of her way to help, with photos and info. She said to arrive about 10am or so, in order to ensure getting a parking spot and a good place along the parade route. We arrived a bit after 10am, found the handicapped parking by the handicapped entrance to the arena, walked through the craft vendors, and up the street to Main where the bed races were held. https://loggersjubilee.com/ check out the information and events tabs in particular https://loggersjubilee.com/map/
Bed Races on Main Ave Parade, east on Main Ave, south on 2nd St, then west on Westlake Ave Great announcer, though at times hard to hear with the noise of the logging trucks. Lots of Logging trucks from near and far, and all over--as far away as Forks WA. It must have been a considerable investment to send all those big trucks to be in the parade. If you have a lover of all kinds of vehicles, this is the event not to miss! Craft Vendors between 1st and 2nd Streets, and Collar and Westlake Avenues The field was rather rough and not really ready for manual wheelchairs--bring a motor or a pusher, though people were very willing to help. Maybe at some point the organizers or the community will be able to have the field graded and replanted with grass. Photos below show just a small portion of the many vendors. Food Vendors southwest of the arena, Westlake Ave & Knittles Way German sausage & curly fries, wood fired pizza, authentic Mexican, shaved ice and snow cones, elephant ears, rootbeer floats, caramel apples, lemonade, big soft pretzels, burgers, Italian ice . . . Loggers Jubilee show and competition in the arena--Contestants came from as far away as Montana and Alaska! A pair of binoculars might be helpful. While they tried to have a contestant for each event at each corner at the same time, sometimes the action was far away. At the price of lumber, the sponsors gave generously for the Jubilee to be staged.
More of Morton WA--we went exploring a bit and saw lots worth enjoying, though some of downtown could use a coat or two of paint, and some of the sidewalks could be smoother for the disabled . . . https://www.visitmorton.com/ http://www.visitmorton.com/cityofmorton/parksrecreation.html Riffe Lake Overlook (Riffe Lake created from the Cowlitz River by Mossyrock Dam) On the way home we had the time to stop at this intriguing view of Riffe Lake. Mossyrock Dam--public vista area and fishing access, Hwy 12 Mossyrock WA I wanted more photos of the hamlet of Mossyrock I had visited before. For more info, scroll down at https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/mt-rainier-hwy-12 See also https://mossyrockwa.blogspot.com/2012/09/klickitat-prairie-park.html And https://www.cityofmossyrock.com
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Captain Clameron provided a fantastic crabbing/learning experience for myself and a mom & son in Waldport OR the first weekend of August 2021. He was a park ranger for some years, he's knowledgeable (not only of crabbing, but the Oregon Coast), professional, but fun and friendly--encouraging, patient, gives easy instructions, explanations, and demonstrations for us beginners. He's flexible, and adapts to what you want to do. He's a great guide! He provided the equipment, and I was so encouraged by the lightweight, easy to manage and inexpensive traps he brought, I thought, "This is something I can do!" Waldeport has a wonderful, accessible crabbing dock with a couple tables to work from. There's also a long dock from which you can toss your traps or lines, and small motor boats you can rent (including equipment)--named after the characters of Gilligan's Island. There's at least a couple places within a block or two that will clean and cook your crab. There are some great eating establishments, public restrooms, boat launch, and a park with picnic tables. While prime crabbing occurs in months ending in -ber, I was delighted even to see the little guys scurrying from the traps as quick as they could. The 10 year old caught the one keeper in our group. It was an overcast day, so not hot, and the sprizzly rain held off until we were done (the tide headed back out to sea). Captain Clameron rocks! Captain Clameron is quite a rock collector, and put them on show for us to see what you can find along the beaches--agates to fossils. Of course he has polished the shiny ones. More Port pictures--Port of Alsea, Waldport OR Alsea Bay Marina & Robinson Park Waldport OR City Parks Alsea Bay Historic Interpretive CenterKeady Wayside 21 sec video Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site also known as Governor Patterson State Park  https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/pictures/80000/velka/japanese-waves-painting.jpg
In many ways the experience of Japanese Americans must have been a juxtaposition of cultures such as is playfully depicted in “Flower Drum Song . . . the eighth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on the 1957 novel, The Flower Drum Song, by Chinese-American author C. Y. Lee. It premiered on Broadway in 1958 and was then performed in the West End and on tour. It was adapted for a 1961 musical film,” [Wikipedia] except that many Americans held lingering vindictive attitudes because of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the late war with Japan--even though Japanese Americans had no part in the attack, were good citizens, and many joined the United States military and fought valiantly and loyally for their country. Traveling Tastefully
We didn't have as much time to explore as I wanted, but here are some more photos from Maupin OR. I didn't get a photo of the city park that is right on the river and offers camping and amenities (see Maupin City link above). I had checked out dining options ahead of time and thought The Riverside restaurant looked good. Our rafting guide raved about them, and we were delighted with their great food, large plates, interesting decor. The dishes may sound ordinary, but they are anything but! They have outdoor dining, but with the temps in the 90s, we were glad to eat indoors. https://www.facebook.com/riversidemaupin All along the Deschutes River are places to picnic and camp, many with vault toilets and tables. Blue Hole has an accessible fishing dock as well. http://www.campgroundsoregon.com/oregon_campgrounds/blue_hole_campground.html https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/10003316 https://maupinoregon.com/activities/camping/ https://www.rivers.gov/rivers/deschutes.php  Adapted from "Reading, Writing, & Riding along the Oregon-California Trails: An Educational Activity Book" by William E. Hill--excellent! abt grades 3-7, depending on the child's level and how much assistance is available.
 southern portion of an Idaho state map  I set out to explore as much of the Oregon Trail as I could manage. My goal was to start from the California & OregonTrail Center at the border of Wyoming and Idaho, in Montpelier ID, then check out the Soda Springs area, and Fort Hall. I just couldn't manage all that in our week in Boise, and the California & Oregon Trail Center isn't open til summer anyway. I had a hard time finding out if there is anything about the Oregon Trail at present day Fort Hall, but at last I found some sites that mention it. See below-- California & Oregon Trail Center, Montpelier ID
Photos of sites along the Oregon Trail I have been able to visit: along the Snake River, the Columbia River, the Barlow Route overland, and the Applegate Trail in Southern OR Shoshone Falls of the Snake River, Twin Falls ID--has info about the local Native Inhabitants and more; Twin Falls and area info: https://www.tfid.org/545/Play Glenns Ferry ID-- https://www.glennsferryidaho.org/visitors/ Three Island Crossing State Park, ID near Glenns Ferry--the museum tells the stories with both sound & visuals Bonneville Point Interpretive Site, overlooking Boise ID (day area, no services, take water & desert precautions)
Idaho State Museum, Boise ID-- https://history.idaho.gov/location/museum/ Forts Boise, at Boise and Parma ID There were two Forts Boise, the older on the western border of Idaho kept getting flooded out, destroyed, deteriorated. Another Fort Boise was built in Boise, but it has not survived either. Now in its space is a large park--I didn't see any marker or memorial there. Old & New Fort Boise List of 61 Historical Markers and War Memorials in Boise, Idaho A replica of Old Fort Boise is in Parma ID; there's a family oriented day use park, and an RV park next to it. Parma has historic buildings, and one of the few remaining drive-in theaters
Rest Area at Ontario OR, I-84 (just over the border with ID) I didn't get the chance to check out the interpretive site of the Snake River Crossing at Nyssa OR, the interpretive site at Keeney Pass or Alkali Springs near Vale OR, or historical sites in Vale OR itself. Perhaps another time. But the rest area at Ontario has much to recommend it--though a welcoming center was closed when we were there (either for COVID or April is too early in the year). This is the beginning of a great series of Oregon Trail pavilions at rest stops and such across Oregon. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area, OR--26 mi northwest of Ontario OR At Farewell Bend the Snake River heads north and through Hells Canyon. The Oregon Trail sought the Columbia River to the northwest, as it bends its way west from the north. The Farewell Bend State Rec site says it offers accessible camping, cabins & yurts (pets ok), flush restrooms and showers, trails, fishing; dump station, boat ramp, and picnicking are not marked as accessible. Grant's Getaways: The Oregon Trail (covering Farewell Bend, The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker (Geiser Grand Hotel) Weatherby Rest Area, 38 mi northwest of Ontario OR
Durkee OR--50 mi northwest of Ontario OR (exit 327 from I-84, drive Durkee Rd to Hwy 30 and turn south) Baker City OR--about an hour and a quarter northwest of Ontario OR via I-84 Oregon Trail sites in Baker City (exit 304): Chamber of Commerce, York's Covered Wagon (food & supplies), Gaiser-Pollman Park, Baker Heritage Museum, and the Old Post Office Square Park . . . at least! For more info and photos, see
National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, trail ruts access, and historic markers on the way --near Baker City OR; closed for COVID Memorial Weekend 2021, limited opening in 2020
Baker Valley rest area, near the 45th Parallel, I-84 ten miles west of Baker City OR
It's time to stop and take a rest--we have traveled roughly 1700 or so miles from Missouri/Iowa. Emigrants started their journey maybe May, when the trail was not so soggy and grass for feed had a good start. They got to Baker Valley maybe about August. Only 300 or so miles left . . . but rough mountains lay ahead, and for those who rafted down the Columbia River--that was also rough going. More to come in Part 2.
 Mt Adams from the Trout Lake Abbey, Mt Adams Zen Buddhist Temple July 1st, 2021, we took a day trip to explore our way around Mt Adams, deciding to travel Hwy 14 along the north side of the Columbia River. We revisited a few places from my previous post https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/columbia-gorge-wa-hwy-14 , which see, and got some better photos that I'm posting here, rather than try to update the other post, which is already rather long. Here are the places we saw--
Views of the Columbia River from the Cape Horn pull-out Bonneville Dam from the Dam Access Rd off Hwy 14 WA Fort Cascades National Historic Site, Fort Cascades Dr, from (Bonneville) Dam Access Rd off Hwy 14 https://skamania.org/experience-skamania/fort-cascades-historic-site-trail/ http://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/fort_cascades_historic_site.html https://mybackyardandbeyond.com/fort-cascades/ Windsurfing on the Columbia River, Spring Creek Hatchery Rd Underwood WA Hwy 141 to Mt Adams You can take Hwy 141 north just east of Underwood and the White Salmon River, but the more picturesque and awesome route is to continue east on Hwy 14 into Bingen, where you can take Hwy 141 up the hill through White Salmon. You'll be above the White Salmon canyon with some spectacular views. The two routes merge as you continue north. For more info and photos of Bingen and White Salmon (as well as Spring Creek Hatchery and Underwood), scroll down at https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/columbia-gorge-wa-hwy-14 Husum WA 1st views of Mt Adams from Hwy 141 BZ Corner WA BZ Corners Forest Service launch site-- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/crgnsa/recarea/?recid=30012 2nd fantastic views of Mt Adams Trout Lake Forest Service Ranger Station https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31184 I was anxious to talk to the ranger to find out what places I could go, what is accessible around Mt Adams, and get a map. The ranger station has a window to talk with the ranger, no access or amenities available inside the building. The ranger was friendly and helpful, but it seems Mt Adams recreation is pretty much for horses, hikers, and hardy campers. We were able to get some maps and directions, and she told us where to find some great photo ops, on Lake Rd (very near the ranger station) and Warner Rd (south of Trout Lake). She also gave us the 2019 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Visitor Guide (with great info and map), and an old publication “Barrier-Free Recreation [in] the Gifford Pinchot National Forest”. It shows 2 accessible sites in the Mt. Adams Ranger District, now that I have a chance to look it over. Neither has a restroom. Peeled Cedar Tree Interpretive Trail has a compacted gravel 650’ trail max 5% grade, 5 interpretive signs. Sawtooth Berryfield Handshake Site has a 200’ asphalt trail max 3% grade, 1 accessible picnic table (nearest restroom at Surprise Lake 1 mi away). The ranger cautioned that the sites have not been maintained. From Google Maps I see an intriguing Mt Adams viewpoint further up Mt Adams Rd as it becomes NF-23 (stick to NF-23, when other choices come up) between NF-531 and NF-8810. The places I had wanted to check out from their website are accessed from other routes. Adventures for other days. Check out John Williams’ excellent video “Between the Peaks” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLqRNFBPvUU&ab_channel=ForestService  Mt Adams from Hwy 141 near the Ranger Station Lake Road, Trout Lake marsh--Note: there is barely room for 3 small cars to park, and very difficult turning around (sign warns there is no turn around ahead). If you can, you might want to walk in. Otherwise it's chancy. Warner Road & Stoller Road Trout Lake Abbey Interestingly, the Trout Lake Abbey not only features a Zen Buddhist Temple, but neo-Druid monuments. They ordinarily host all kinds of events and retreats, but those were postponed during COVID-19. We were still able to walk around and enjoy the beauty and peace of the grounds, and the views.  neo-Druid monument, Trout Lake Abbey, south of Trout Lake WA--courtesy Juli Spruill We drove back on the lower route of Hwy 141, along the White Salmon River. I caught tantalizing glimpses of the river, and there were some pull-outs to get a better look, but without getting out of the car it's difficult to see much of the river between the trees and brush. We did catch some good vistas of Mt Hood from Hwy 141, as well as Hwy 14 (especially good at Underwood and Spring Creek Hatchery--scroll down at https://www.travelpacificnw.com/accessible-travel-blog/columbia-gorge-wa-hwy-14 ) Dog Mtn Trailhead, Sternwheeler paddling up the Columbia Gorge  Columbia River from the top of Dog Mountain--taken by RMT The Columbia Gorge looking west along Hwy 14--missed getting photos of the best of the spectaculuar scenes as we whizzed along, generally unprepared as chances to pull over appear suddenly. Prindle WA--Usually I'm flying by and miss the turn to get a picture of the quaint Prindle School, so when I got the chance, I took it! Somewhere I got the notion of there being a Prindle Park, but it was a challenge to find. It’s not where you expect it. It has a Washougal address, but it’s not really in Washougal, either. Between the Cape Horn pull-out and the Prindle School (Prindle Rd), Salmon Falls Rd goes north up the hill (immediately to the right is the Cape Horn Trailhead, and a bus stop). Continue up Salmon Falls Rd to Canyon Creek Rd and turn left (west). In about 2 miles Prindle Park is on the left. It's actually a Skamania county park. From Prindle WA it's only about 45 min to Portland and the end of a truly happy, glorious day!
The Snake River begins its journey in Yellowstone National Park.  "The Tetons and the Snake River is a black and white photograph taken by Ansel Adams in 1942, at the Grand Teton National Park, in Wyoming. It is one of his best known and most critically acclaimed photographs." Wikipedia. Photo in Public Domain. See also https://www.nps.gov/places/000/snake-river-overlook.htm Adventures along the Snake River
Southern Idaho Idaho Falls
American Falls—search American Falls Idaho videos for more . . .
1000 Springs, Hagerman ID From Boise we took off I-84 at Bliss, headed down in the valley of Hagerman/the Snake River via Hwy 30. Hagerman is about 1.5 hours southeast of Boise. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I missed my best opportunity to pull off the road and get a good picture of 1000 Springs. But it is worth seeing. There are other things to see in the area, as the videos above and below will show.
 Snake River from W Madison Ave, Glenns Ferry ID Glenns Ferry http://www.elmorecountypress.com/hilitingglennsferry1.htm
 The Boise River
The Boise River, Owyhee River, Malheur River, Payette River, and the Weiser River all contribute to the Snake near Ontario OR.
Oregon  looking east up the Snake River near Farewell Bend OR--where the Snake River turns north and creates a border between Idaho and Oregon Farewell Bend  The Powder River runs through Baker City OR
The Powder River runs north through Baker City, then east, and eventually makes its way to the Snake River further east of Baker City.
https://www.rivers.gov/rivers/powder.php Hells Canyon of the Snake River
Ways to get to Hells Canyon from Oregon Hells Canyon Creek Visitor Center, at Hells Canyon Dam Snake river and Minor Tributaries…Hells Canyon Dam (fish)
Hells Canyon Dam to Pittsburg Landing Idaho--Hells Canyon & Clearwater confluence
Washington
 Historic Downtown Pendleton OR It was a gorgeous day in May, traveling along the Columbia River on I-84. The bright blue skies and the deep blue waters of the river buoyed my heart. One must take care not to be so focused on the road and the destination as to fail noticing the grand gestures of geology, especially east of Hood River. Great layers of rock tilt right into the river, and columns of basalt stand as vertical bastions of the canyon. Memorial Weekend 2021 was still early enough in the spring that the farm fields were agreeably green, late enough not to have tilled up dust devils blowing in the wind. If you need a break along the way, Arlington OR is just about 2 hours east of Portland and has a delightful family-oriented park on the water, with playground, train car, accessible restrooms, fast food nearby, and information about the area and the Oregon Trail. A motel across the street from the park has been there for many years . . . https://www.cityofarlingtonoregon.com/ https://www.cityofarlingtonoregon.com/eat-play-stay.html My original impetus for going to Baker City was its connection to the Oregon Trail. I had to travel there several times to gather what I wanted. Next it seemed I should include Pendleton, as we traveled through it a few. And if those two, surely La Grande as well. Finally, I decided to include Haines, in the Baker Valley while I was in the vicinity. I would like to have explored Sumpter, North Powder, and Union (near La Grande) likewise--I’ve included some links here, maybe in future I can get a chance to explore more. There are ever more places it would be great to incorporate, but it becomes too much for one article. However, as I needed gas at Boardman on the way home, I did add a few photos to show what it has to offer. Pendleton OR If you don’t stop along the way, Pendleton is only about 3 hours east of Portland, so I was able to visit both the Heritage Station Museum and the TAMÁSTSLIKT CULTURAL INSTITUTE, then go to dinner at Cimmiyotti’s in downtown Pendleton. I almost literally ran into the downtown Farmer's Market that Friday. Downtown celebrates its western heritage with diverting bronze statues. There are plenty of other museums and venues to see in and near Pendleton, including the famous Pendleton Woolen Mills. Generally, around July 4 Wildhorse Resort & Casino sponsors a Native American powwow. The famous Pendleton Round-up is held in September.  Pendleton Round-Up
The Heritage Station Museum is quite a complex, including also Museum Park that is pleasant for a picnic and has an Oregon Trail pavilion. There’s a schoolhouse I forgot to ask if one can look into. The museum itself has a nice collection of exhibits about the area and history, and within the grounds are a fun wooden train for kids to play on, some military vehicles and a war exhibit in the old signal house that uses every inch of the small building, a train car (not accessible), and a small farmhouse and buildings (farmhouse not accessible) showing what a farmstead was like “in the old days”. Very nice, I thought, and so important a collection for generations to come. It was only $6 to visit, as a senior.  Heritage Station Museum, Pendleton OR--and there's more! The Tamastslikt Cultural Institute near the Wildhorse resort costed $10, as I remember. They were in process of creating a new exhibit or two, but I found it very interesting, and it showed the past and the present from a Native perspective. No photos or recordings are allowed inside the exhibit halls. They have a restaurant open for lunch, and a gift shop. It's a little hard to find--beyond the Arrowhead Travel Plaza (where tourists and truckers can find about all the services they need for travel), and the Wildhorse Resort and Casino (hotel, restaurants, RV & Tipi camping, cineplex, bowling, golf, pools ...), turn right on Wildhorse Blvd and have patience til you reach the Cultural Institute.
I explored downtown Pendleton on more than one trip. See photos below. You can cross the Umatilla River to see what’s on the other side, driving north on Main St. You’ll pass Brownfield Park. At NW Despain I think you can turn left (west) and you’ll pass or stop at Pioneer Park (bathroom, playground, power, seating, tables, grill, reservable group shelter). Continue west on Despain to NW 10th St and turn south to cross back over the river right by Roy Raley Park, which is next to the Pendleton Round-Up venue, and across from the Pendleton Round-Up & Happy Canyon Hall of Fame. Roy Raley Park is one end of the 2.5 mi Pendleton River Walk. Roy Raley Park has picnic tables, restrooms, basketball court, winter ice skating and other events. I have stayed and eaten at the Wildhorse Casino & Resort 2 or 3 times (years before I started this blog), and found the rooms comfortable and accommodating. I wanted to try something else, so I called to see if I could get in at Cimmiyotti’s that eve. Fortunately, they were able to provide me a table. The waitress was friendly and supportive, and helped me choose what would not offend my diabetes. She arranged for a double portion of asparagus instead of the potato option and a shrimp cocktail instead of the deep-fried appetizer that looked and sounded so appetizing. I ordered the prime rib, and it was excellently seasoned and prepared. The gazpacho was great, as was all the food. https://www.virgilsatcimmiyottis.com/gallery I thought the Pendleton Hampton Inn would be a known quantity, as I had little time to check out other accommodations, but it was definitely not on a par with “Hampton Inn and Suites” I’ve stayed in at other times and places. I was not able to book the room directly so that I could make sure that “hearing accessible” would also be “mobility accessible”, and I could not get ahold of reception to find out either. When I checked in, the receptionist switched me to a ground floor room to be sure it was. They need to hire more staff (if that’s possible in these trying times), but she was helpful with my baggage. I did suggest that the door to the room was way too heavy to manage from a wheelchair with a load of luggage. The room was clean, the view from the window was the back parking lot, they were in the midst of renovating the dining area, but for COVID it was a breakfast box anyway. The pool was closed for COVID. So, the stay was acceptable, but not to rave over. There are several hotels and services along the same road as Hampton Inn. Traveling east from Pendleton is an immediate climb into the Blue Mountains. I remember as a youngster traveling with my family when there was a real concern about cars overheating on the way up Emigrant Hill (also called Cabbage Hill). We empathized with those cars that did overheat, even as we worried about getting stuck behind them in danger of overheating ourselves. How grateful I am now there are 3 lanes ascending that hill. Trucks must stick to the two on the right.
La Grande OR La Grande is only about 50 miles SE of Pendleton. Google says the fastest route is I-84 . . . I suppose there might be some other routes, driving all over mountain roads, but let’s say that I-84 is virtually the only route from Pendleton to La Grande. It’s a beautiful route. In the summer it will make you want to live there. I have to remind myself what the winters are like. Still, some people do live between the two cities. Wikipedia says La Grande was forced to change its name from “Brownsville” (because there was another town of that nomenclature), but how much more wonderful is the name “La Grande” than “Brownsville”?! “Located in the Grande Ronde Valley . . . name comes from an early French settler, Charles Dause, who often used the phrase ‘La Grande’ to describe the area’s beauty. The population was 13,082 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Union County.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Grande%2C_Oregon I took my usual exit for gas at the Flying J gas & convenience store at exit 265. They have a more reasonable price than most in the larger area, and good amenities. Staff have always been good to me, pumped my gas even though they weren't required. I get someone to go in and ask for help so I don’t have to get out and then heft myself and chair back in the car: a drain on my joints and energy. It's a truck stop, so they have showers, laundry, lounge, game room, and such that truckers would need. My interest has been piqued for some years by the sign for “Hot Lake” (I think it used to be more picturesquely named “Hot Lake Springs”, or something—perhaps some other place had that name, too). It's the same exit as the Flying J, but the opposite direction and a few miles further. I decided to drive out to see the Lodge at Hot Lake Springs. It’s gated, so you must have a reservation to get in. Looks alluring. There’s an RV park nearby, with yurts, cabins, and tent sites as well as soaking pools.
 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Union_Victorian_(6231363534).jpg Only 8 min further from the Lodge at Hot Lake Springs, on the La Grande-Baker Hwy (Hwy 203), is the small town of Union OR, about 2100 residents. I’ve heard glowing remarks about the historic hotel in town. Naturally, I would like to check out Union County Museum, with local history and something about the Oregon Trail. And 16 miles SE of Union is Catherine Creek State Park. Their site says they have accessible camping, picnicking, exhibits, and flushing restrooms. Group picnic shelters can be reserved, but if not in use, are open to 1st come 1st serve. Next priority was to find the Oregon Trail connection in La Grande, as promised. From Flying J, I drove into town on Hwy 30 (which becomes Adams Ave). I followed the signs up the hill into a residential neighborhood to the end of the steep street and surprised 3 deer browsing the yards there. I didn’t find the promised historical site until I came back down B St and noticed an engraved stone against a rock in the corner of a yard! As I headed up the hill my eye spied a park, so I went back to explore that. It turned out to be Birnie Park, one that I had hoped to check out. That was a connection between the La Grande area and the Oregon Trail. The diverting playground included a representational pioneer wagon for kids to climb on. A somewhat rough path led along a series of interpretive signs about the La Grande portion of the Oregon Trail. There were accessible restrooms, picnic tables, and room to run for fun. Across from Birnie Park is one end of Eastern Oregon University. https://www.eou.edu/ To arrive at my hotel, the Google Gal led me by another discovery from another era: a drive-in theater! See http://www.lagrandemovies.com  Drive-in theater, La Grande OR When I contacted places to stay in La Grande, it was difficult to find ADA accessibility. I found a room at Travel Lodge, total $72.27 for a 1 king bed, mobility accessible, non-smoking room. It had a tub/shower with a hand-held adaptation, a frig, microwave, and safe. It’s an older motel, family owned, some renovations. It wasn’t fancy, but I thought it satisfactory, especially on a budget. See photos and https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/travelodge/la-grande-oregon/la-grande-travelodge/overview The motel receptionist recommended breakfast at Smokehouse restaurant just across Adams Ave from Travel Lodge. It was a good choice, obviously popular. Within a block or so of Travel Lodge are a fitness center (across the street), Les Schwab, Safeway, a car wash, a good variety of restaurants. Candy Cane Park (picnic and playground) is probably about a half mile away, but you might need google to guide you. La Grande has a modern side, but as you may have noticed, I am drawn to the historic side—see photos. More about La Grande OR:
Baker City OR I have always been attracted to the Baker valley. I find rural valleys rimmed by mountains and their small communities appealing. I love history and historic architecture. Baker City and surrounding communities have all these. Winter ice and snow would be difficult to deal with in a wheelchair, still, I like to visit, and there are ample sights to see and things to do in the area. A good place to start would be the Baker County Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, right off I-84 at exit 304 (take Sunridge Ln off Campbell St, the main thoroughfare from the highway through town). The Chamber of Commerce has a ramp to the left side as you face the frontl of it from the parking lot at the Quality Inn. Even if they don’t happen to be open you can browse the interpretive signs, with information about the communities in the county, and they have an old pioneer wagon on display. As you pass East St, it seems to me things start getting interesting: at left is York’s Covered Wagon a something-of-everything kind of store with its awesome map murals (“World’s Largest Map of the Oregon Trail”) and statues of cattle; on the right side of the street is the substantial brick Baker City Armory, and north on Grove St is the Baker County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena . . . … south off Campbell St, on Grove St is the Baker Heritage Museum… … across Grove St from the Museum is the fabulous family & community oriented Geiser-Pollman Park, through which the Powder River flows, with a bridge access to the Baker County Library (also accessed from Resort St and Madison St). The Leo Adler Memorial Parkway Trail is a pleasant, paved path about 2.5 mi along the Powder River through town. When water levels are good, kids float down the river on inner tubes. But there are access points you can dip your toes in, if you can use your legs . . . Baker City Central Park is along the Leo Adler Memorial Parkway Trail. West of Resort St is Main Street, historic downtown Baker City, center of an abundance of antique architecture. |
