The Perfect Weekend Loop Through Eastern Oregon
October 29, 2014
Take off Friday after work and within two hours you can be in Maupin, a tiny town on the Deschutes.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Stay the night at the Imperial River Company with a small selection of rooms overlooking the river or courtyard.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Eat dinner onsite with lots of local options for beef, beer, and wine before you sit around the communal bonfire with a nightcap.
Photo: Eden Dawn
The next morning head east on the 197/97 through the desert landscape with tumbleweeds galore.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Take a stop in the living ghost town of Shaniko, once the wool capitol of the West.
Photo: Eden Dawn
The few locals that still live around the ancient boarded up businesses are happy to have guests.
Photo: Eden Dawn
The main strip features a hotel, built in 1900, that was beautifully restored a few years back and then mysteriously closed soon after.
Photo: Eden Dawn
From Shaniko, hop onto the official Journey Through Time highway taking you through the three main units of the John Day Fossil Beds.
Photo: Eden Dawn
With no restaurants along the way, you'll want to snag sandwhiches to go from Maupin's small market and stop for a picnic lunch at Clarno.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Scientists say the Clarno unit was once a tropical paradise complete with towering palm trees and bananas growing rampant before a catastrophic eruption changed the landscape.
Photo: Eden Dawn
After lunch at Clarno, travel two (gorgeous) hours to the Painted Hills unit.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Once there be prepared to get out and walk up some of the short trails.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Bring your camera.
Photo: Eden Dawn
You'll need it.
Photo: Eden Dawn
After you've hit your fill, head on eastward with a brief detour through the one street town of Mitchell.
Photo: Eden Dawn
See some handcrafted curiousities.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Stop for a coffee or a snack in the Little Pine Cafe before continuing on the three hour bout to Baker City.
Photo: Eden Dawn
See the inexplicable tree of shoes that lives along the highway.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Once in Baker City, spend Saturday night at the Geiser Grand Hotel, built in 1889.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Considered to be quite opulent at the time and the finest hotel between Salt Lake and Portland, the old world details in woodworking and glass still charm.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Eat under the largest stained glass window in the west in their fine dining or have a drink at the saloon.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Before you leave the next morning, grab some breakfast from the Lone Pine Cafe (complete with Portland's Extracto coffee!).
Photo: Eden Dawn
Hop onto 84W and begin the trip home. Stop in Pendleton for a trip to the woolen mills store and stock up on discounted blankets.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Need a saddle? Hamley & Co have a two-story cowboy mecca around since 1883.
Photo: Eden Dawn
Hamley's takes over the whole block with the addition of a steakhouse and bar next to the store.
Photo: Eden Dawn
After hopping back on 84 Portland is just a 3-hour trek home through the Gorge. Back in time for Sunday dinner.
Photo: Eden Dawn
