Multnomah Falls is the big attraction on the route from Bend, where I overnighted Wednesday, to Portland, where I stayed on Thursday and Friday nights. But first I had to see what the road offered.

Chris, the photographer-writer at Hart Mountain Cabin, told me that the High Desert Museum near Bend had remarkable exhibits. Since I usually prefer to be outdoors and have seen dozens of museums in my day, I would have skipped it if his recommendation had not been so emphatic.

Chris was right. And the museum’s emphasis on the West was very much to my liking.

A High Desert Stagecoach

Click on the picture above to enlarge

In the 1850’s the Central Overland Stage Route used this particular stagecoach travelled the “roads” of the high desert.

A Desert Tortoise on the Museum Grounds

Click on the picture above to enlarge

Somewhere along the road from Bend I stopped to make a cup of tea. At the Peter Skene Ogden Rest Area, named after the first person to explore Centeral Oregon, Chris and I happened to meet up again. It’s a small world in sparsely settled country.

I stopped along the road a little later for another cup of tea. When I looked around, I saw an oasis in the desert.

A Desert Pond

Click on the picture above to enlarge

A Poppy

Click on the picture above to enlarge

Few flowers are in bloom here yet because of the late spring. This makes me appreciate the poppy even more.

For the last 100 miles into Portland I travelled down the Columbia River Gorge.

The Mighty Columbia at Sunset

Click on the picture above to enlarge

Finally, just 30 miles before I reached Portland I came to Multnomah Falls. Falling in two major steps, it is the second highest year-round waterfall in the country (after Yosemite Falls).

Multnomah Falls is 620 Feet Tall

Click on the picture above to enlarge

When we look around carefully, we can find beauty everywhere. Even along the road.