Take a drive around your corner of the universe
Karen Henslee
A few weeks ago, I got a call from a gentleman who lives in the High Prairie area. He's lived here for quite a while, and over the last few years, we've had an opportunity to talk about a lot of things.
This day, it was not about politics, or land-rights, or about our misidentifying the name of a person, place or thing; it was that in his opinion, each time we assemble photos and stories about the county, we overlook one of the most scenic areas within a short distance of our doorstep.
Since it had been nearly 10 years since my last time over the Dalles Mountain Road, this past Saturday, my sister and I headed out. The weather was glorious, the sun was out and there was only a slight breeze. I had remembered the Dalles Mt. Rd. as being pretty rutted and washboard-like, so narrow to allow only one vehicle. But as we were heading toward The Dalles, I figured we had the safe side, should we meet another vehicle and one of us had to give way.
I can honestly admit, Max was right. How much I have missed! The deep purple lupine, contrasted by those big yellow flowers (sorry, I don't know what they're called) were spectacular! And not only that, but from the top, you can see both directions up and down the Gorge. There were clouds in the western sky, partially concealing Mt. Hood, but still, it added to the whole panorama. It is simply impossible to explain in writing. You have to experience it yourself. But don't put it off. Go before the spring wild flowers and green hills turn brittle and brown.
And I was wrong about the condition of the road. It is totally accessible by SUV and non-SUV alike.
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