November 30: Vineyards and Valleys Scenic Route

What a great day for a romp through Oregon’s valleys and vineyards! With fall colors still bursting forth all around, Leo Guzman Fernandez and I barreled up one hill and down another as we traveled on backroads past Gaston, around Hagg Lake, and then south to Yamhill. Read more of the details here.

Heading out from Oregon City, Leo and I crossed over the Willamette River on the Arch Bridge, giving us a peek at the thundering waters of Willamette Falls, bouncing off the jagged rocks below and rising in a thick cloud of mist.

With temperatures at 35 degrees, we turned on our heated gear and headed west towards Laurel Road and Bald Peak Road, navigating on leaf-covered streets through little townships and past dozens of stunning vineyards and orchards. As the sun peeked through the white clouds above, the bright red, yellow, and orange foliage stood in stark contrast to the emerald - green grasses on the side of the road and the darker evergreen trees beyond.

Reaching Henry Hagg Lake, we circumvented the large deep blue body of water, glimpsing the peaceful rippling surface several times through the thick evergreen trees on the shore. Traffic was minimal, giving us the space and time to enjoy the view as we breathed in the chilly late fall air.

From Hagg Lake we headed south towards Yamhill, passing one beautiful valley after another, with patchwork quilt patterned fields in brown and green covering the rolling hills around us as statuesque deciduous trees dotted the landscape, their mostly barren spindly branches reaching up into the now blue sky. What a great day on the bikes!