The drive to Joseph from John Day is one of those drives that captures the variety of topography we have in Oregon. For instance, the area around John Day is populated mostly with pine trees, but once you get to the Wallowas, you find yourself among the more familiar fir and spruce. The land goes from having a mixture of brown and red hills and buttes with green valleys to a land that is green from valley to mountain top.
The drive to Baker is not long. Baker is one of those cities that is kind of a blank to me. I didn't know quite what to make of it, but it is quite the hopping little metropolis. Since leaving Ashland, it is by far the largest city. It also boasts the tallest building in Oregon east of the cascades - a somewhat Lilliputian boast - but there it is.
We attempted to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center but were rebuffed by Federal Employees. Apparently we could stay with the dogs and come in one at a time or leave the dogs in the car. There was an admission price as well. I peeked through the windows, saw some cheesy dioramas and decided that it wasn't worth the time or the money. So much for Baker City and its environs.
We turned, left Baker City heading east on 86 and then cut north on 37. There is a road that is open seasonally that we took through Hells Canyon. There was a great lookout at the top where we ate lunch.
Hell's Canyon of course conjures all kinds of horrific and terrible visions. I imagined intimidating cliffs, arid climate, rushing waters, deadly plunges. In fact Hell's Canyon (at least what we saw) is rather placid - almost rolling. There is no doubt that a canyon is there, and it is impressively deep, but on the whole it is a rather gentle canyon and not infernal at all.
We continued to Joseph. The hwy through the Wallowas to Joseph is the most mountain road like of all the mountain roads we have taken in our trip. It is full of hard oblique curves with steep inclines and declines - hard on the brakes and the engine. Peaux seems to get car sick in these situations and Michelle doesn't do to well either. I was tired by the time we pulled into Joseph.
The Wallowas have been called the Swizterland of Oregon, and you can see why. Joseph is almost like one of those alpine villages, lying at the foot of soaring, snow capped mountains. And unlike the Cascades, with its singular, imposing peaks, the Wallowas have a series of peaks, all of similar height and majesty.
Joseph is a charming village with plenty of shops and touristy-type places. It has become well known for its bronze foundries and contains some of the best civic art in the country.
Joseph is also placed within an Eden. With the Wallowa peaks so close you could almost touch them and Wallowa lake stretching out to the north, it would be hard to find a more perfect resort town.
We had a very good dinner at the Granite Grill and General Store. Once again I had locally made huckleberry dressing on my salad and a decent steak. Michelle has informed me I am no longer allowed to order steak on vacation because I am too critical and it puts her off. We had a good laugh. I also had the local IPA, which was sharp and hoppy - just like they should be. Michelle had a veggie quesidilla, which was great - I tried it. The dogs were allowed to come along to this particular spot because we ate outside. That was nice.
Health note: Status quo.
Nota Bene: No animals were harmed in the making of this blog.
Once again, Michelle here...the place we're staying in tonight reminds me of Nana & Grampa's beach house before they moved out...low ceiling and varnished wood walls and that small, cozy feeling...I like it. The only thing it's missing is the bay window and the porch and patio and Puget Sound...and pansies, there are no pansies! The dogs like it anyway...I think even Brennen likes it, although I won't put words in his mouth.
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