Most of the time I had the road to myself and could stop on the road and take a photo. I even took a photo of nearby Interstate Highway 5 (below)! See the RV on the road?
Most of the scenery was clear-cut tree plantations on mountains, hayfields, orchards, hazelnut groves, and crops under irrigation. As well as smoke from nearby forest fires.
Seems like every mile along the road there was a sign beckoning me to visit wineries, vineyards and taste rooms (676 wineries in this region as of three years ago). Maybe someone can enlighten me; would I be obliged to buy a bottle if I sample all their wines? I noticed lots of signs advertising medical and recreational marijuana, too.
Later I researched this unique area via Wikipedia and discovered it is called "The Willamette Valley" because the Willamette River runs through this area. Click here for Wikipedia's spot-on description of the extensive mountain logging (the entire state appears to me as a tree plantation, dotted with clear-cut mountains everywhere), plus info about the winery and agriculture businesses (lots of hazelnuts for example).
Made a quick stop on the outskirts of Eugene to bike their Riverbank Path which parallels the Willamette River on both sides. There's a paved trail for bikes and unpaved trails for joggers and walkers.
Lots of folks out and about enjoying a Saturday afternoon.
Talking on the phone and biking isn't illegal (yet).
A playground along the way.
Dogs get to run and have fun along the Willamette River, too.
Under and near the noisy highway. . . .
was a huge grove of blackberries (many thorns too).
I ate as many as I could!
Stopped at the Owen Rose Garden (above and below photos).
The tree above is the largest cherry tree in Oregon.
See the forest fire (above)? When it got increasingly smoky, I took a right turn out of the Willamette Valley. I'll take my chances and head toward the coast again. Maybe California's coast won't be as congested as Oregon's coast?
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
ReplyDeleteAnd sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
Bobby Frost,
Ah yes, I'll remember this area :)
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