March 16: Winter Meets Spring

Glittering snowbanks on wet red dirt, ice-capped peaks reaching up to the bright blue-sky, snow-covered meadows with bright green trees next to bubbling grey brooks, and white mountain ranges towering over teal covered rivers and dusty brown plateaus – today’s ride to Bend and back showcased a beautiful blend of winter and spring colors.

My heart was full of joy this morning heading south on Interstate 5 and then east on Santiam highway with the glorious sun out in full force and temperatures already in the 50s. As I wound my way through Stayton, Mill Creek, and Detroit, I followed the Santiam River, swooping left and right along the shores of the bright teal colored body of water framed by white-capped mountains in front of me.  

After passing through Detroit, temperatures dropped and a winter wonderland appeared all around, with snow covered ground on both sides of me, lush waterfalls cascading off the cliffs to my left, and white meadows bursting with bright evergreen trees and rippling rivers to my right. I breathed in the cool winter air, navigating around the gravel littering the road, and following a snowplow into Sisters.

After a delightful lunch with my best friend Michelle in Bend, I headed north on highway 97, passing one stunning view after another of Mount Jefferson, the Three Fingered Jack, and a variety of other icy-covered mountains on my left. Their grey and white craggy peaks stood in stark contrast to the brown- and honey-colored fields of grass and hay, rolling brown hills, and sage colored plateaus on both sides.

Continuing north through the Mount Hood National Forest, I rode through thick forests of evergreen trees, reveling in the breathtaking views of Mount Hood’s majestic peak, and passing cars heading home from the mountains with skis loaded up on their roofs.

Today’s ride presented such a delightful opportunity to sample some of the best of both Winter and Spring.