After our day at Crater Lake National Park and two nights dry camping at Annie Creek Sno-Park, we headed north to the big city of Bend, Oregon, on 15 Jul 2019. The Roadtrek got washed, we spent several hours using the Wi-Fi at the public library, and we grocery shopped at Whole Foods (YAY!) and Safeway. We were tired and too hungry to wait until we arrived at our at-that-time-still-unknown overnight destination; so we made and ate our dinners in the Safeway parking lot. One of the really great things about having your home with you all the time is that you can do things like make a meal whenever you're hungry. :>) Margaret got busy Googling rest stops where we could overnight and found one just about 25 miles north on U.S. Route 97 in Terrebonne, Oregon. It turned out to be the most interesting and probably the most impressive "rest area" I've ever seen. The rest area is located at the Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint (Peter Skene Ogden Wikipedia Page) on the border of Deschutes (duh-SHOOTS) and Jefferson Counties.
From the viewpoint walkway (thankfully with a sturdy rock wall), one can stroll along the south side of the 300 foot deep Crooked River Gorge with its basalt cliffs and gaze at the Crooked River, which is really far down there! To the west is the Crooked River Railroad Bridge, which has been in use since 1911. To the northeast are two more bridges. The first, Crooked River High Bridge, was built in 1926 and replaced in 2000 by the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge, which runs parallel. The "old" bridge is open to pedestrian traffic and offers alternately stunning perspectives of the canyon, river, and other bridges.
From the viewpoint walkway (thankfully with a sturdy rock wall), one can stroll along the south side of the 300 foot deep Crooked River Gorge with its basalt cliffs and gaze at the Crooked River, which is really far down there! To the west is the Crooked River Railroad Bridge, which has been in use since 1911. To the northeast are two more bridges. The first, Crooked River High Bridge, was built in 1926 and replaced in 2000 by the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge, which runs parallel. The "old" bridge is open to pedestrian traffic and offers alternately stunning perspectives of the canyon, river, and other bridges.
The Crooked River High Bridge (foreground) and the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge. Photo by Margaret.
The Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Crooked River Gorge. Photo by Margaret.
The Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge & Crooked River Gorge. Photo by Margaret.
Bird resting on Crooked River High Bridge. Photo by Margaret.
The Crooked River High Bridge (foreground) & the Rex T. Barber Veterans Memorial Bridge. Photo by Virginia.
Crooked River and Gorge. Photo by Margaret.
Crooked River Railroad Bridge, Gorge, and River. Photo by Margaret.
Crooked River and Gorge. Photo by Margaret.
Unnamed waterfall, Crooked River and Gorge. Photo by Margaret.
The base of the waterfall and springs into Crooked River. Photo by Virginia.
The Crooked River Railroad Bridge. Photo by Margaret.
The Crooked River Railroad Bridge. Photo by Margaret.
We ended up staying at this rest stop another night (on 21 July) following our next camping experience. I wish more "rest stops" were like this one: 12-hour limit, restrooms, drinking water (for our two three-gallon water jugs), AND located in a state park—all for free!
NOTE: Clicking on the photos in the post will open them in a larger view (recommended!). If you want to see more photos of the beautiful places we've shared, we have them in this Flickr Collection: Over the Hill Sisters Photo Collection.
2 comments:
Excellent photos. When you go beyond the railroad bridge there is no wall to prevent mishaps. Caution definitely advised.
Thank you for the compliment AND for the cautionary suggestion.
Post a Comment