All Good Thing Must Come To An End.
Eastbound USA Cross-Country Adventure *Part 1*
After spending an extra day in Eugene, and a night at fall creek,
it was time to pack up the car and begin our trip back East.
We decided to take a scenic route out of the state.
It was a warm summer day, and the idea of leaving was hard to face.
We had days of travel ahead of us.
However, we could not stay in the car for long.
We decided to stop and take in a few last sights.
At 286 feet Salt Creek Falls is the second largest waterfall in Oregon.
This area holds a special place in my heart.
The view from the top of the falls is dominated by tall evergreens.
In the rocks little succulents bloomed in the warm sun.
In the forest large rhododendrons took in the sun preparing to open in full bloom.
After a quick walk we had to continue on the road.
We made our next pit stop at the view point for Diamond Peak and Mount Yoran.
Diamond Peak is around 8,744 feet in elevation.
Mount Yoran is located to the right of Diamond Peak.
The elevation of Mount Yoran is about 7,100 feet.
Back in the car we continue to cruise through the Cascades.
The first views of the Three Sisters Mountain Range started to peek over the timbers.
The mountains here exceed over 10,000 feet in elevation.
As we crossed over the Cascade range our view went form green and lush...
To dry and desert like.
We had arrived in the high desert of Eastern Oregon.
This area is a semi-arid plateau with an elevation of around 4,000 feet.
The red color of the rocks is due to the iron rich minerals found in the soil.
basalt columns like those seen here, are a result of volcanic activity in the area
millions of years ago.
As the sun began to set we crossed the Snake River, arriving in Idaho.
The cross-country adventure continues!
Follow along as we make our way East.
