We wanted to honor our friend (my next door neighbor from Lombard, IL) and his family at his memorial service six hours away. The Pacific Northwest has been pounded with winter storms this weekend. As we studied the radar it looked like there was a break in the weather, when we could thread the needle and get through. We decided to give it a try. Except for a few dicey spots, the trip was a blessing.

Chapter 1  Setting Off

This, my friends, is Eastern Oregon.

Dry pavement. Yes!

Deer crossing

Welcome, Holly! This sign has been a source of delight for decades.

Chapter 2  Investment Opportunities

This stark landscape reminds me of the Midwest. Or Scandinavia.

A fine barn

I imagine homesteaders lived here once upon a time. Or, perhaps a school?

The detail on this fine old barn thrills me.

Roof needs repaired. Air conditioning free.

It was Tiny before Tiny Houses were cool

 

Chapter 3     Birds and Such 

We’ve never seen so many hawks on posts. Here, there, here again. Sidenote: I over-helped my son write a paper on the red-tail hawk in 1993. I’ve never forgotten the scientific name: buteo jamaicensis.  Isn’t it weird what sticks to the inside of your brain?

This horse has been studying and applying the Marie Kondo method.

 Hawk perched in a tree.

Waterfowl feeding

I am drawn to lonely trees

 

Chapter 4  Coming Home on the Rattlesnake

Driving south towards Lewiston

I wonder how this highway was named The Rattlesnake?

Looking down from above

It descends, slithers along the floor of the canyon (see center of picture),
and slinks upward to the next plateau.

S-curves superabound

Sidling up to the mountain

 

Chapter 5  Watch for the Light

Coming into the Wallowas, spots of blue sky

A shroud of clouds cannot cover it. The light still shines.

Light and shadow. And a lonely tree.

Luminous

Winter glory

 

Bonus Chapter: Deer and Elk

Outside of Enterprise, deer feeding

Outside of Imbler, elk herding

I don’t have the skill to convey this magnificent sight: about 300 elk

Walking, loping, bunching together

Move ’em out!

Bull supervising the exodus