Saturday, July 1

Goodbye, Oakdale, OR!

Back across the pass to Hwy 97, and then north towards Bend, OR.  We saw a sign for "Lava Lands" park, but decided not to turn off.
Then we drove past an area of vast lava flows, and wished we had stopped.  We didn't realize what a dramatic, scenic area it was.  (Later we came back.)


Just a few miles further we saw a sign for the the "High Desert Museum", and stopped in there; it's a major museum.  It has a lot of birds and reptiles, but unfortunately the otters were sleeping.  They also have Indian and pioneer artifacts, and some old cars.  (Not sure what the cars have to do with the desert, but OK.)

We then went back to "Lava Lands", and it turned out to be one of the high points of the trip!  From the visitor's center there is a shuttle to the top of the volcano, and from the parking lot there it's a short distance uphill to the fire watch tower.  

From the base of the tower are views of snow-capped Mt. Hood and other regional peaks.  Spectacular!

A short trail continues around the rim of the volcanic "caldera".

 

Here's the view from the opposite side.

Here's a view of the lava flow.  The lava in this area is the lightest rock I've ever seen; it weighs about half of you would expect.  Along the trail people were frivolously passing around a watermelon-sized chunk.  (You're not supposed to pick up any of the lava, but a couple of small pieces fell into my pocket.  Remind me to show these to Jane.)

Here's a demonstration of how light the lava was.  I had to cut the video short because the shuttle was approaching.  (Insert link to video here.)


We continued north to Bend, OR, and by this point we might have been getting a little tired and cranky.  We couldn't find the Denny's, and ended up at an Applebee's, a restaurant at which I always seem to have a big hassle, and this one didn't disappoint!  Therefore the entire town of Bend sucks.  (jk)

Not far north of Bend is the really nice little town of Redmond, OR; we stayed two nights there.

Motel Six
2247 S Hwy 97
Redmond, OR
541.923.2100

Note for Jeff and Jane:  You can actually fly into Redmond.  If you were really only interested in the geological/fossil stuff, a week-or-so long trip could be planned from Redmond, then ranging east to the attractions, and skipping the whole Portland and coastal areas.