Spring Break 2009 (Part 3)
Destination: Bend (3/27 and 3/28)
I wanted to take one longer trip on my break, and Bend seemed a logical choice. It has multiple good breweries, sees sunshine when the valley has rain, and, at 81,000 people, is one of Oregon's larger cities. I charted a loop, crossing the Cascades first at Willamette Pass on Hwy 58 southeast of Eugene, then later at Santiam Pass on Hwy 20/126. On Friday, the weather was warm, dropping only to 44 degrees at the pass summit (5128 ft). I stopped at McCredie hot springs but didn't get in, as the only folks present were three awkward men and the muddy-bottomed, very shallow pools didn't look enticing.
Odell Lake, on the east side of Willamette Pass.
Cascade Passes have a long ascent up from nearly sea level on the western side, but a much less pronounced drop to the west. At Willamette Pass, the drop is barely noticeable, a gradual descent to around 4000 ft. The snow depth drops off quickly eastward, a function of the Cascade rain shadow effect.
I had planned to visit Newberry Volcanic National Monument, but they were still closed for the winter season. So I continued north on Hwy 97 to Bend, arriving in time to catch the day's last tour of the Deschutes Brewery (a worthwhile endeavor that encluded free beer samples).
I found these folks on a street corner. Good to know there are liberals and hippies east of the valley too! Also notice the sunshine and thermometer - it was a beautiful, mostly sunny day.
I ate at the Deschutes public house, then set off in the last light of day to pitch my tent at Tumalo State Park, just northwest of town. The park stays open all winter and offers campers the option of renting heated yurts that hold five people for $29 per night. It was relatively warm (dropping only to around freezing), so I opted for the cheaper tent camping.
The next morning, after breakfast in Bend, I drove south of town to the High Desert Museum, an extensive indoor and outdoor collection of natural history, cultural history, and wildlife.
I surveyed for Lynx habitat for three months and never saw one. Until now. In a sad little enclosure.
Horse sculpted from barbed wire.
Burrowing Owl
The museum has a "birds of prey" section with many live birds, mostly birds from rehabilitation programs that did not heal sufficiently to be released.
Northern Spotted Blur (Owl) (Flash photography is prohibited, and the enclosure is kept dark. Image stabilization can't compensate for hand shake on a 5-second exposure...)
Prairie Falcon
Golden Eagle
Bald Eagle
I had lunch at an Indian buffet in Bend before heading west across Santiam Pass. It was warm and partly sunny in Bend, but I knew a winter storm was predicted for the Cascades. I crossed the pass in heavy snow at 36 degrees - just warm enough that it was still melting on the road. Down the other side, the temperature increased rapidly, all the way to 50, but the rain never let up. I returned to Cougar for a long soak in the rain, knowing that I probably won't have a chance to return to this beautiful spot in the next few months.
After a few hours in the spring, I drove 50 miles of curvy, wet roads to Eugene, arriving in time for the 8 pm contra dance. There I danced with friends and strangers, then set a final course northward to arrive back in Corvallis at 12:30 am.