Day 8, Eastern Oregon

We left Pasco this morning after breakfast at IHOP. Crossed over the Columbia River where they had the Columbia Cup Hydroplane races over the weekend.

Those are the cranes they use to lift the boats in and out of the river.

We decided to travel down the Washington side of the river. That's Larry directly behind us. We tried to avoid any highways on this trip and travel back roads when possible. The Washington side of the Columbia Gorge is a little more scenic and interesting to ride.

We're coming into Biggs Junction where we will cross over into Oregon to follow Hwy 97 down to Sisters.

They were cutting the wheat fields today. There are three combines lined up in the field. So, we started singing "America the beautiful", you know, amber waves of grain, purple mountain's majesty. So, what's a "fruited plain?"

We traveled into the beautiful little ghost town of Shaniko and tried to have lunch. But, there is no place to eat here, so we just got off the bikes and walked around the 1 block of "town". Ron and I stopped here on our honeymoon traveling from Pendelton to Disneyland.

Trying to find a shady spot. It was about 100 degrees today.

We drove on down the road to Madras and had lunch at the Black Bear diner. Really good food.

Larry and Kathy at the Black Bear. They were in Pasco when we got there and traveled back with us.

Not sure what this look is all about. After leaving Madras we went another 20 miles or so and then turned off Hwy 97 at Terrabonne to go the last 20 or so on back roads.

A little oasis in the desert.

We passed an Alpaca ranch and these were all the babies. So cute.

There are the Sisters Mountains.

We got the most beautiful cabins at the Five Pine Resort in Sisters. This is the main office.

Front lobby.

This is our cabin, #11. They all have fireplaces, waterfall tubs, flat screen tv, patios with wildflowers surrounding the cabins. Beautiful.

We love this store in Sisters. We get our hot pickled okra here.

Kathy standing on front of the wagonful of flowers.

Sue and I had to have our picture taken too.

After a dip in the pool and a relaxing time in the hot tub, we all met at the 3 Creeks Brewery and Restaurant right on the resort property for dinner. By this time Mike and Jackie had joined us for the evening and the ride home tomorrow. We're staying in this beautiful place as long as we can, we don't have to check out till 11. And then it's off to the coast and home.