Junction City to Redmond - Uphill all the way ( almost )

Junction City to Redmond - Uphill all the way ( almost )

Slept better now the van is fully kitted out . The Bugs got me last night but I will ignore it . Tip take insect repellent !

Went into Junction city It was quaint and friendly but as I have learned in this state friendly is a given .

Took back my Verizon mobile broadband dongle to avoid being tied for two years . Will have to rely on wireless networks which do seem to be pretty universal here .

Toured Eugene and Springfield ( population 150,000 ). A tree lined Downtown with few of the tall buildings I had expected . A college town .

Headed east along the McKenzie river . First twenty miles or so countryside was beautiful - like the best parts of southern England . There is even a place called Cheshire here in the Willamette Valley .

The road steepened , the trees got thicker and the river faster and more narrow . Passed many boat launch sites . The river has some wider parts where you can fish and of course is a favourite for white water rafting .due to its speed ,clear water and length . Took a detour to the cougar reservoir - breathtaking and remote . Had to take the northern route as my first choice was still closed by heavy snowfall . Passed through a large fire devastated region before getting some photo ops of the rugged snow covered Mount Washington .
Now the road went down and after about 10 miles the landscape changed to one I had never seen before . The Central Oregon High Desert . The trees were smaller , grew thicker from the base and were more spread out - with room to ride between them in the sunshine . Entered the town of Sisters - a full western style street well maintained for its busy tourist trade , Now on to Redmond where randomly I drove by a large battle tank and past my intended ( cheap ) motel and pulled over into the Black Bear restaurant .

That's all till tomorrow folks Pictures here

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