Honeymoon Day Four - The Oregon Triangle

Yesterday started with a great breakfast at Fuller's diner in Portland and afterwards we walked around in the rain for a bit. We then decided to get our rental car and get out of town a bit earlier than orginally scheduled. We received a Dodge Nitro which is a small SUV but has 4x4, which came in very handy later in the day when driving through the Cascades (<- foreshadowing.) Our first stop on the way out of Portland was the Japanese Garden, which we were told was not to be missed. The weather was a bit dreary but cleared up as we entered the garden. It is considered the most authentic Japanese Garden in the US and also the largest. Beautiful plants and designed paths. We have lots of video below, and more to come. After the Japanese Garden, we headed East of the river to the Hawthorne District, a very funky and ecclectic neighborhood, to look for a hat for Jed at a recommended boutique, Local 35. We found a nice one and jumped back into the car. Our last stop was a pint, food and planning at the Lucky Labrador Brewing Co. We drove South, with Bagby Hot Springs as our hopeful destination. We reached it without much effort and the drive through the Cascades was colorful and very dramatic. The hike from the parking lot to the springs was uphill for 1.5 miles - a good workout. It was a beautiful hike through the forest, over several bridges with surging whitewater underneath, ending in a fabulous soak in the 100+ degree mineral springs. There were several carved out logs to soak in, a couple of private baths and a large wooden tub in the public area. (If you saw the movie, "Old Joy," then you have seen Babgy.) As we soaked au natural, we took in the scenery -- mist all around and above us, blue sky and treetops. A very soothing soak that had Stacy proclaiming that it was the best "hot tub experience she had ever had." Very natural and again, very dramatic.

We stayed toasty warm on the hike back down the hill, thanks to the soak, although there was snow all along the trail and the air was chilly. We jumped back into the car and headed back the way we came, intending on reaching a small town called "Sisters" before nightfall.

A couple of turns onto Forrest Roads brought us to a sign that said Detroit, right 40 miles. We decided to take it although it was a different path than originally planned. The road climbed onto the mountain and we progressively saw more and more snow on the side of the road and eventually ON the road. Finally, we came to a point where all we could see in front of us was a road full of snow an abandoned vehicle parked in the ice. We decided to turn back.

Halfway back down the mountain, we decided to take another road that said Hwy 26, 25 miles. Both Hwy 26 and Detroit were on the way to Sisters. Halfway up this road debris started appearing in the road, and then more snow, which prohibited any further progression. Laughing all the way, we had to turn back once again. It was starting to get dark.

Now, back to the original plan, which was sure to work. Or so we thought. The Ranger's Station was closed and the road was dark but we progressed anyway. There were lots of campers on each side of the road but debris, a closed road (that indicated the path to Hwy 26) and a single lane road (and more snow) made us turn back once again. There was no hope of going south. Stacy proclaimed that we were in The Bermuda Triangle, IN OREGON!

Traveling back North, we passed a couple of small towns which we hoped we have hotels or at least dinner. (Our stops at strange gas stations are another story for another time.) It was now 10pm and our 2 hour detour left us hungry and tired. One try after another in small towns failed to secure us a night's stay until we spotted a Best Western in Sandy, OR. Rooms were available and we were able to get a dinner (Taco Bell at midnight) and a good night's sleep. Finally. What a hilarious, yet tiring journey.

Next step, The Gorge and Crater Lake, if we can make it South through the Indian Reservation.

Videos below, more to come at our next internet connection.

Portland Japanese Garden



Japanese Garden Koi Pond



Japanese Garden Zig Zag Bridge



First Sign of Snowy Roads