For OUR WORLD TUESDAY and NATURE FOOTSTEPS-WATERS on Wednesday.
Last week, we took a spur-of-the-moment mid-week trip to Bend in Central Oregon. As always, it was "not so much the destination as the voyage itself that mattered."
When we lived in Springfield,* Bend was a favorite weekend getaway spot. It is a scenic loop drive from the Willamette Valley and the high desert climate made it a nice change from the sometimes rainy and gray valley.
It's still mostly sunny and warm in the Valley (where we're spending the summer), but we haven't really visited Central Oregon since we sold our home and moved from the State, so we thought we'd check out some of our old haunts during this visit.
These pictures are all from the Willamette Pass, which on this trip was our return half of the loop drive. We camped often in this area, with our kids and after they were grown. Nearly every campground, view and trail we passed brought back memories.
We enjoyed revisiting these old memories and the spectacular scenery -- and we were happy to be able to head up to the mountains in the middle of the week without having to worry about getting back for work!
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*Springfield-Eugene was a great area to live, work and raise our family, and there is a lot to do right in the area. But sometimes you just want to get away. One of the neat things about the area was -- and is -- that there are so many different ways to do that easily (and relatively cheaply). Within an easy day's drive East there is central Oregon, with great mountain camping spots along the way (and skiing during the Winter); going West there's the beautiful Oregon Coast; heading North is Portland with all its bigger city amenities; and South Ashland, Medford, Jacksonville with the famous Shakespeare Theater and other cultural activities (and yet another climate).
I never imagined how much stuff you could find
on the internet about this! Thanks for making it all easy to take in
Posted by: jazz guitar | September 26, 2012 at 05:27 PM
Such grandeur in these lanscapes and your photos show it off wonderfully, Sallie!
Posted by: Nick | September 19, 2012 at 01:24 PM
I'll send a link to your blog to my husband (in the room next door !). He wants to visit Oregon and I think your photos will be a good way to push him to go (with me !).
Posted by: Annie | September 14, 2012 at 05:03 AM
Beautiful nature.
Posted by: Anki-itte | September 12, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Lovely photos. I have a cousin that lives in Eugene and keep hoping to get to visit her sometime. Must move that up the bucket list since she is ten years older then me. Would love to visit here as well.
Posted by: Rita aka Cashjocky | September 11, 2012 at 10:47 PM
What an amazingly beautiful place. Lovely!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | September 11, 2012 at 03:23 PM
What a beautiful area! Is this close to Portland? Surely my daughter must know about this place (she lives in Portland).
Posted by: Gail | September 11, 2012 at 08:55 AM
Oregon has always held a lure for me, Sallie, and your photos and words make it all the more attractive. The best of all worlds seem to be in Oregon.
Posted by: lifeonthecutoff | September 11, 2012 at 07:50 AM
All your photos tell me how wonderful the Central Oregon is! This broad area is full of nature energy and will recharge visitors. Makes me feel like traveling a place like this.
Have a great week!
keiko
Posted by: snowwhite | September 11, 2012 at 07:29 AM
This is so fantastic lovely !! Great post !!
Posted by: Unseen India | September 11, 2012 at 06:47 AM
wow. love the waterfall....breath taking views!!
Posted by: laura k | September 11, 2012 at 05:36 AM
Hi.. Always nice to return to beautiful places with such great memories
Posted by: Joe Todd | September 11, 2012 at 05:09 AM
Oh what fantastic scenery, I just love the waterfall.
Posted by: lindyloumacinitaly | September 11, 2012 at 04:22 AM
Beautiful photographs, such views are enrapturing me. I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | September 10, 2012 at 11:54 PM
What a beautiful country and your photo's show it all. Wonderful.
Posted by: Riet | September 10, 2012 at 11:11 PM
Mountains, waterfalls, and lakes. These are a few of my favorite things, Sallie. Thanks for the lovely photos!
K
Posted by: Kay L. Davies | September 10, 2012 at 11:00 PM
What a beautiful place and spectacular scenery!
Posted by: Lotusleaf | September 10, 2012 at 09:49 PM
Gorgeous around Bend, La Pine and Newberry Crater. Many memories also.
Posted by: Gaelyn | September 10, 2012 at 09:20 PM
Beautiful and scenic place. The natures beauty in abundance.
Posted by: Rajesh | September 10, 2012 at 08:42 PM
Beautiful photos of a beautiful part of our great country. I spent a ton of time in Oregon as a kid, but not much as an adult. I obviously need to get back there!
Posted by: pat | September 10, 2012 at 07:09 PM
These photos are all after my heart. I love Idaho best, but Oregon is wonderful! I don't think I've ever been to those falls, they are beautiful.
Posted by: Dimple | September 10, 2012 at 06:37 PM
I'm a big fan of that OR scenery! Looks like you had some sunny days, Sallie. We have friends who live in Bend, and they love it.
Posted by: Barb | September 10, 2012 at 06:37 PM
OH I want to see it so MUCH!! Oregon is one of the 3 states I have not had the pleasure of visiting YET...SOON as I finih my 62 yr sentence to work I will be going to see it!! GOD WILLIN. Your photos are so enchanting, I can see Im missing out on a lot of beautiful country!
Posted by: Sondra | September 10, 2012 at 06:17 PM
Gorgeous photos, I'd love to spend some time exploring that part of the country.
Posted by: Al | September 10, 2012 at 06:04 PM
That sure looks like a wonderful place.
Posted by: Sandy Carlson (USA) | September 10, 2012 at 05:49 PM
I love that picture of the waterfall.
Posted by: Fun60 | September 10, 2012 at 05:27 PM
We should coordinate better. Lisa and I were there two weeks ago. Went out Century Drive and it was the same thing: every campground, every pull out brings a memory. Also mosquitoes.
Posted by: Geoff | September 10, 2012 at 03:32 PM
Beautiful photos Sallie, and your trip 'home' must have brought back so many wonderful memories.
Posted by: Hildred | September 10, 2012 at 03:14 PM
Stunning photographs of this beautiful place. I love mountains and waterfalls and am looking forward to getting away in about a month to the NC mountains for a change of scenery. I haven't ever been to Oregon but I've thought it was someplace I'd like to visit one of these days.
Posted by: Carver | September 10, 2012 at 02:42 PM
I understand! Sometimes you just want a change of scenery! This is a beautiful one:)
Posted by: Jeannette StG/Emille | September 10, 2012 at 02:38 PM
Sallie, the waterfalls and lake are beautiful. My hubby would love to see the Salt Creek Falls. It is a gorgeous state to live in. Your photos are wonderful, thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Eileen | September 10, 2012 at 02:37 PM
Now that's a waterfall! Gorgeous... I really hope to get to Oregon one day. Seems so far away though. :)
Posted by: Halcyon | September 10, 2012 at 12:56 PM
I vacationed there years ago and would love to go back! There's so much to see! And it was the first time I had ever seen Shamrock's growing in the forest! Have fun!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | September 10, 2012 at 12:46 PM
What a beautiful place!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | September 10, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Ah, your photos brought back lovely memories of the years I lived in Oregon! Beautiful captures of a beautiful place and I do love the waterfall!! Have a great week, Sallie!
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | September 10, 2012 at 12:30 PM
what a beautiful place! i love the trees and the waterfall.
Posted by: Luna Miranda | September 10, 2012 at 12:26 PM
Beautiful scenery! Love waterfalls. Bend looks like a wonderful spot in Oregon.
Posted by: Snap | September 10, 2012 at 12:24 PM
the falls are gorgeous, of course, but i so love those pines!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | September 10, 2012 at 12:15 PM