The Professional Fan
Big League Scrub
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I've been to Central Oregon and Southern Oregon but until this holiday weekend I had never been to Eastern Oregon. I will say, it's fucking spectacular.
The intent was for my girlfriend and I to just get away from everything over the holiday weekend. She had expressed previous interest in the John Day Fossil Beds and Painted Hills. I had never heard of either but I figured at worst I'd be able to golf a few rounds on our trip. So a few months ago I started looking at places in John Day via AirBnB. I stumbled upon a creekside "cabin" about 8 miles south of John Day so I jumped on it.
We left Thursday morning for the 5 hour drive out of Vancouver, WA. This was key. Had I left from PDX, Waze would have probably taken me over 26 but because I was leaving from Vancouver, Waze took us east on Hwy 14 (always beautiful through the Gorge and better views than I-84), out to Bridge of the Gods, East to Biggs Jct on I-84 to Hwy 97. I figured we'd take 97 the majority of the way (as you would with a trip to Bend). I was wrong. 8 miles South on 97, after Wasco, the navigation routed us down Hwy 206 to Condon, about a 40 mile stretch. Holy. Hell. I've seen the massive wind turbines from I-84, but I've never been in the freaking turbine farm. Hwy 206 routes you right through miles and miles of turbines towering over endless wheat fields at elevation where you can see the Cascades. With a crystal clear blue sky as the backdrop it was absolutely breathtaking. At a minimum I recommend the drive from PDX or Vancouver to Condon on a super sunny day. Totally worth it.
From Condon to John Day you travel the JOURNEY THROUGH TIME SCENIC BYWAY which includes the three John Day Monument parks. Two Fossil Bed units and the Painted Hills not to mention miles upon miles of gorgeous scenery along the John Day river (the third longest free-flowing river in the United States FYI). The Painted hills, I mean, what the actual fuck is that?! Stunning. Finally we make our way to John Day after the most beautiful drive I've ever been on. Head 8 miles south from John Day on Hwy 395, past Canyon City to the base of a mountain range. Our "cabin" is located on the property of the Berry Creek Ranch which is an active ranch. The cabin isn't a cabin. It's a house. Two bedrooms, one bath, full kitchen, cable TV, a fishing pond, big fire pit, gas BBQ and a deck that overlooks the mountains. Everything I could want sans Wifi which turned out to be the best part. No Wifi and no network connection for my phone for three days in the middle of absolutely nowhere. What a breath of fresh air that was.
The Berry Creek Ranch and surrounding mountains were hit HARD by the 2015 historic wildfires. The vast majority of the trees in the area are still scorched but greenery and flowers abound on the mountain floors. It's quite an interesting dichotomy to see towering scorched trees surrounded by lush greens. I've never seen anything like it. And that's the running theme of the entire trip. Right in our own backyard here in Oregon. I had no idea and I will DEFINITELY return!
p.s. I sprained my hand the night before we left for the trip and I did not get to golf god damnit but next time i go i'm not going to the john day golf club like i had planned, i'm going to Silvies to make up for this trip
The intent was for my girlfriend and I to just get away from everything over the holiday weekend. She had expressed previous interest in the John Day Fossil Beds and Painted Hills. I had never heard of either but I figured at worst I'd be able to golf a few rounds on our trip. So a few months ago I started looking at places in John Day via AirBnB. I stumbled upon a creekside "cabin" about 8 miles south of John Day so I jumped on it.
We left Thursday morning for the 5 hour drive out of Vancouver, WA. This was key. Had I left from PDX, Waze would have probably taken me over 26 but because I was leaving from Vancouver, Waze took us east on Hwy 14 (always beautiful through the Gorge and better views than I-84), out to Bridge of the Gods, East to Biggs Jct on I-84 to Hwy 97. I figured we'd take 97 the majority of the way (as you would with a trip to Bend). I was wrong. 8 miles South on 97, after Wasco, the navigation routed us down Hwy 206 to Condon, about a 40 mile stretch. Holy. Hell. I've seen the massive wind turbines from I-84, but I've never been in the freaking turbine farm. Hwy 206 routes you right through miles and miles of turbines towering over endless wheat fields at elevation where you can see the Cascades. With a crystal clear blue sky as the backdrop it was absolutely breathtaking. At a minimum I recommend the drive from PDX or Vancouver to Condon on a super sunny day. Totally worth it.
From Condon to John Day you travel the JOURNEY THROUGH TIME SCENIC BYWAY which includes the three John Day Monument parks. Two Fossil Bed units and the Painted Hills not to mention miles upon miles of gorgeous scenery along the John Day river (the third longest free-flowing river in the United States FYI). The Painted hills, I mean, what the actual fuck is that?! Stunning. Finally we make our way to John Day after the most beautiful drive I've ever been on. Head 8 miles south from John Day on Hwy 395, past Canyon City to the base of a mountain range. Our "cabin" is located on the property of the Berry Creek Ranch which is an active ranch. The cabin isn't a cabin. It's a house. Two bedrooms, one bath, full kitchen, cable TV, a fishing pond, big fire pit, gas BBQ and a deck that overlooks the mountains. Everything I could want sans Wifi which turned out to be the best part. No Wifi and no network connection for my phone for three days in the middle of absolutely nowhere. What a breath of fresh air that was.
The Berry Creek Ranch and surrounding mountains were hit HARD by the 2015 historic wildfires. The vast majority of the trees in the area are still scorched but greenery and flowers abound on the mountain floors. It's quite an interesting dichotomy to see towering scorched trees surrounded by lush greens. I've never seen anything like it. And that's the running theme of the entire trip. Right in our own backyard here in Oregon. I had no idea and I will DEFINITELY return!
p.s. I sprained my hand the night before we left for the trip and I did not get to golf god damnit but next time i go i'm not going to the john day golf club like i had planned, i'm going to Silvies to make up for this trip
