THE HCP has the ride all cleaned up and dialed and is heading out on a 2 day trip with the fam. We have always been beach people, and have not experienced much on the east side of the mountains. We've been to Sunriver and Bend, but thought we'd take a quick trip out. On the itinerary is the Rowena Loop/Crest. On the gorge halfway between Hood River and The Dalles. Wife and kids have never been to the Stonehenge Memorial, going to head there next and then shoot down to the Painted Hills. Staying the night in some cool old hotel THE MRS HCP found for us in Redmond. Was looking and it seems like there is not much out there in between. Not sure if there is much out there for you guys to recommend we see other than some old ghost towns. If you got any ideas, holler! Can't wait to take some cool pics and share.
Your heading out to my old hood. Spear fish lake is a fun little swimming hole. The deschutes river is pretty epic, there is a park right by the mouth of the deschutes that has some nice river trails and swim areas. Sherars falls on the deschutes is very impressive. Maupin has some nice little hang out spots and a good river park. Boxcar rapids isn't too far from Maupin, if people are rafting it's always fun to watch them hit that rapid.
If you havent been there yet, This is a good place to take a road trip for the weekend. Not much to do if you stay too long, but great for a day or two. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave...venworth is a city in,that began in the 1960s.
There's always someone climbing Smith Rock. Gives you something to watch as you wonder what you'll feel if someone falls. I understand a lot of Europeans climb it for practice in climbing the Alps.
drive from reno to vegas. You will get both. Desert hilly billies are freakier than mountain hillbillies. Ever seen the hills have eyes?
If you can ever drive the old Columbia River highway, do it. I think it's closed for the most part right now. Also, if you can, drive on the Washington side of I-84. Maryhill Museum is cool too. Larch Mtn (tho that's a day visit) is nice too.
Another good driver is state route 25 from battleground to central washington. Milton is it? Anyhow zigzags between the mountains. Incredible drive in the summer