My cousin and I try to attend the SolWest renewable energy fair in John Day, Oregon every year. It’s been a couple(?) years since the last time, so we were both happy we could get away from the daily grind to do it this year.
In the past we have always camped and tried to do some exploring on gravel roads. This year was a nice change, as we only spent a half a day at the fair, and the rest of the time trying to figure a way from John Day to Prineville that didn’t involve any pavement.
July 27
I had my alarm clock set for 0540 to allow me to make my scheduled 0600 departure. The alarm went off, I hit snooze. Repeat. I finally rolled out at 0601 and started loading up the cooler from the fridge.
I stopped at Albertson’s to pick up a bag each, crushed and block of ice and a dozen roses for my wife. (Author’s note: If you are leaving your wife home with the kid(s) while you go play for the weekend, having her wake up to a dozen roses is a good first step towards getting her to let you do it again.)
Officially on the road at 0625. Made it to Eugene and met my dad for breakfast at Brail’s, (1689 Willamette St, rated Best Hangover Breakfast by the Eugene Weekly.) I had the diced ham and eggs w/biscuits and gravy and it was good. Ran into a fellow Honda Transalp rider there and talked motorcycles for a little bit.
My cousin Brian got off work around 1400, and by 1625 we were on the McKenzie highway (OR 126) headed east. We considered taking McKenzie pass (OR 242) but it is closed to through traffic for construction (expected reopening in late August to mid-September.)
We stopped in Prineville for food and gas, then headed out of town, southeast on Juniper Canyon Road up to our Uncle Chris’s property above the Prineville Reservoir. The property is on a ridge, affording great view of both the reservoir and the Cascades. Though there is a nice firepit, we opted against having a fire because it was just too windy and dry.
The sun had just set when Brian snapped this photo of the Three Sisters. (North Sister on the right.)
Moon rising over the camp site.
Landcruiser, camp boxes, and juniper providing a wind block. Later we cooked up some popcorn in the cast iron fryer.
The wind died off around 2200 and we slept under the stars. Even with an almost full moon, the number of stars we could see was amazing.
In the past we have always camped and tried to do some exploring on gravel roads. This year was a nice change, as we only spent a half a day at the fair, and the rest of the time trying to figure a way from John Day to Prineville that didn’t involve any pavement.
July 27
I had my alarm clock set for 0540 to allow me to make my scheduled 0600 departure. The alarm went off, I hit snooze. Repeat. I finally rolled out at 0601 and started loading up the cooler from the fridge.
I stopped at Albertson’s to pick up a bag each, crushed and block of ice and a dozen roses for my wife. (Author’s note: If you are leaving your wife home with the kid(s) while you go play for the weekend, having her wake up to a dozen roses is a good first step towards getting her to let you do it again.)
Officially on the road at 0625. Made it to Eugene and met my dad for breakfast at Brail’s, (1689 Willamette St, rated Best Hangover Breakfast by the Eugene Weekly.) I had the diced ham and eggs w/biscuits and gravy and it was good. Ran into a fellow Honda Transalp rider there and talked motorcycles for a little bit.
My cousin Brian got off work around 1400, and by 1625 we were on the McKenzie highway (OR 126) headed east. We considered taking McKenzie pass (OR 242) but it is closed to through traffic for construction (expected reopening in late August to mid-September.)
We stopped in Prineville for food and gas, then headed out of town, southeast on Juniper Canyon Road up to our Uncle Chris’s property above the Prineville Reservoir. The property is on a ridge, affording great view of both the reservoir and the Cascades. Though there is a nice firepit, we opted against having a fire because it was just too windy and dry.
The sun had just set when Brian snapped this photo of the Three Sisters. (North Sister on the right.)
Moon rising over the camp site.
Landcruiser, camp boxes, and juniper providing a wind block. Later we cooked up some popcorn in the cast iron fryer.
The wind died off around 2200 and we slept under the stars. Even with an almost full moon, the number of stars we could see was amazing.