Picto Diary - 18 July 2020 - Oregon Outback
Above: Ukiah-Dale Forest State Scenic Corridor. Grant County, OR. 18 July 2020.
Escaping the Insanity Program
Out and about on the Duc.
Oregon Outback. US 395 NB, between John Day and Pendleton. More or less 120 miles, just like this...no stopping, 'cept for this image. Traffic about one vehicle oncoming per every two miles. First time this route, this direction. Spectacular motorcycle road. Rare is the straight line.
"Go to the woods to lose sight and memory of the crimes of your contemporaries." Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Above: The Range Rider Cafe. Enterprise, OR. 18 July 2020.
Escaping the Insanity Tour.
Out and about on the Duc.
BLT and Diet Coke. Outdoors.
Enterprise, OR first colonized in 1880's by Mormon farmers from Sanpete Count, UT. Dad's friend Howard E., was born and raised here. Howard became General Council for Atlantic Richfield, and was a charter member of the BYU Business School Advisory Board, formed by my Dad, in 1982, when he was BYU Business School dean.
"Go to the woods to lose sight and memory of the crimes of your contemporaries." Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Above: Anatone, Asotin County, Washington. 18 July 2020.
Escaping the Insanity Tour.
Out and about on the Duc.
Image: Washington SR 124. Buford Canyon.
By far, today was the best pure motorcycle riding day of the Escaping the Insanity Tour so far. Three great, out of the way, motorcycle segments on this 375 mile run, moving northeast, through three states: OR, WA, and ID.
Little traffic, little population, and beaucoup expansive scenery throughout.
1. John Day to Pendleton. 126 miles of weaving, undulating highway through the little populated Oregon Outback. The brown grasses of the hillsides are punctuated by grey scrub and green pinyon. Occasionally the road follows mountain streams lined either side with riparian greens. Sometimes the road rises to grass covered plateau lands, before descending again into a sinuous valley, cut, over the eons by a crystal clear stream. The drone of the Duc soothes today, but might have been seen as an unwelcome intruder during most of this stark, beautiful land's existence.
2. Pendleton to Enterprise. 119 miles, moving northeast, over the heavily circuitous forested Blue Mountains, and, source of the Umatilla River. The road descends, approaching the far northeastern corner of Oregon, into rolling ranchland, now appearing as amber waves of grain, and irrigated green alfalfa. This land was first colonized by European Americans in the 1880's when a group of Mormon farmers from Sanpete County, UT put their stake in the ground here. The majestic, still snow capped Wallowa mountains appear to the southeast, above Lake Wallowa, beyond Ententerprise. Due east is Hells Canyon, a deep gorge cut by the north running Snake, before it joins with the Clearwater, of Lewis and Clark fame, and becomes America's furthest inland navigable waterway to the sea at Lewiston, ID. ID has a seaport? Who knew? I have ridden from Enterprise down into Hells Canyon by a forest service road, then back up to US 95 in Idaho. But, not this time. From Enterprise, I turn north, on OR SR 3 to ride through a corner of Washington State, to Lewiston, ID and beyond, on US 12, to Orfino, ID.
3. Enterprise to Orfino. 130 miles. The last time I rode this segment was twenty years ago in the opposite (south) direction. I had forgotten what a spectacular motorcycle ride it was...a 2000 foot, switch backed descent into Buford Canyon, crossing the Grand Ronde River, then a 2000 foot, switch backed ascent of the canyon's opposite side. The only comparable ride I could remember was my descent into, and ascent out of Blue Nile Gorge, on a Honda Africa Twin motorcycle. Ethiopia in 2008. There were differences. Blue Nile Gorge was 4000 feet deep and the road was dirt. Still, Buford Gorge is one spectacular motorcycle ride. After riding to the top of Buford Gorge, an expansive view of the valley of Lewiston, the confluence of the Snake and the Clearwater opens up. A final 40 mile segment, east bound, from Lewiston to Orfino is on US 12 as it follows the upstream meander of the Clearwater River. As I look at the river, I try to visualize Lewis and Clark, who were floating downstream to my left just 81,877 days ago.
"Go to the woods to lose sight and memory of the crimes of your contemporaries." Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Above: Clearwater River. Orofino, ID. 18 July 2020.
Escape from the Insanity Tour
Out and about on the Duc.
Look! Lewis and Clark floating down the Clearwater!! Squint. Imagine. 81,877 days ago, that same spot in the river, were Lewis and Clark!
"Go to the woods to lose sight and memory of the crimes of your contemporaries" Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Addendum:
My Grand Dad, a great jazz guitarist, actually lived in John Day and Prairie City in his 80s and 90s.
DrummerJ,
Lehi, UT
Sounds like a wonderful ride, glad you had enjoyed fond memories — don’t let the old man in 😎 Sorry to hear about Dick I had some fun times with him -sincerely hope he did not have to suffer any pain.
Mr. Z3,
Oxnard, CA