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?
