October 18: Glorious Golden Fields of Grass
A few weeks ago, when riding to Shaniko with some biker friends, I was awestruck by the glorious, golden grassy fields we passed on route 206 east of Wasco. Captivated by the gleaming yellow and honey colored landscape, I headed back today to soak up more of the scenery beneath the bright blue sky.
With early morning temperatures in the mid-forties, I followed I-84 along the southern edge of the Columbia River, admiring the rippling steel-blue grey river waters on my left and the towering jagged rocky cliffs covered with tufts of green and yellow shrubbery on my right.
Turning south on 97 at Biggs and then east on route 206, I felt as if I had entered an alternate universe. Traffic, gas stations, and restaurants disappeared, leaving miles of gently rolling freshly cut fields of hay in their wake. With wisps of white clouds trailing in the bright sky above, I could catch a glimpse of Mount Hood in my rear-view mirror as I barreled over a honey-colored rise.
Twisting and turning through the Cottonwood Canyon State Park, I passed the aptly named Hay Canyon, marveling at the delightful shades of light brown, yellow, and amber in the surrounding fields, buttes, and plains.
Cows grazed contentedly in their pastures, their beautiful black glistening fur creating a striking silhouette against the light-colored fields. An occasional barn or farmhouse provided the sole sign of habitation on the winding bucolic backroads.
Passing through Condon and then Antelope, I made my way to Shaniko, stopping to appreciate the iconic red roofed barn with the small town’s name emblazoned in white on top before heading north and then west through Maupin.
Entering the Mount Hood National Forest, the air cooled, and the landscape changed dramatically, sporting tall evergreens and several stunning views of the grey and white granite peaks of Mount Hood peeking out behind the towering trees, its surface already several shades lighter with fresh snow than it was just a few weeks ago. What an amazing day on the bike!
