Bucketing across Oregon

When we visited Scotland a few years ago, we coined this title phrase, meaning that we drove over hill and dale, up and down in elevation, across broad fields of barley with lots of scenery. We did much the same on Saturday, 7/9, as we drove from The Dalles to the Sisters OR outdoor quilt show. It was not as windy as the Columbia river gorge, but there were lots of elevation changes. Nearer to the gorge, the fields were cereal grain, probably wheat. At the southerly end, we drove through the R2 Ranch, some 85,000 acres, which raises cattle (some 3000 head population), grows hay for winter feeding (about 5000 tons per year) and provides recreation near the Trout and White rivers. The fields of the R2 Ranch were also golden, but it was hay, not wheat.

When the road approaches Maupin, it snakes down to the Deschutes river, much like the road into Rosehearty (look elsewhere on this web site). Lots of adventure companies sell experiences like river rafting. The river is deeply cut into the hills. We saw one group go by as we ate lunch.

After lunch, we completed the drive to Sisters. Along the way we say welded wire barrels (squares of wire) filled with rock, and used to anchor fences and entry ways. Guess that is more permanent than building rock holders out of wood, and more permanent that wooden posts. Most of the wire fences were barbed wire with metal posts.

We passed a weather/ radar station and continued southwesterly with the Cascade mountains coming into view. It became clear that “if you water it, it will turn green.”