A rain shadow reprieve

[bendbill]

In the skyline background is the Cascade Range of Central Oregon, 22 miles away by road, with peaks of 9000-10,000' +

Down here in Bend [ elev  3600’ ]  the temp on my ride yesterday was 58.  Up there a blanket of snow over 100” deep awaits my skis later this week. 

The blessings of a rain shadow.  But Pac NW people hope we don't have a repeat of 2019: after a very mild January last year, Mother Nature dumped  25” of the white stuff in 3 days.

 

[RPondaRoad]

I live in the Sacramento area in the Sierra foothills.  I did a rare solo tour of eastern Oregon & Washington last June which included Bend.  After touring through the most interesting basalt geology one could imagine, I came to the conclusion that you live in the best kept secret in motorcycle touring.  Just coming south along Hwy. 97 which I now think of as "volcano alley", would make the trip worthwhile.  I'll be back this spring with my wife.  I can't wait to show her what I found.  I'm glad you found good weather to ride in...it was a balmy 70 degrees here today too as I rode along California Route 49 in the "Gold Country".  

[Miguel!]

Indeed, it was 71 and sunny around the Monterey Bay yesterday. Great day for a ride. 
 

best Miguel

[bendbill]

14 hours ago, RPondaRoad said:

I live in the Sacramento area in the Sierra foothills.  I did a rare solo tour of eastern Oregon & Washington last June which included Bend.  After touring through the most interesting basalt geology one could imagine, I came to the conclusion that you live in the best kept secret in motorcycle touring.  Just coming south along Hwy. 97 which I now think of as "volcano alley", would make the trip worthwhile.  I'll be back this spring with my wife.  I can't wait to show her what I found.  I'm glad you found good weather to ride in...it was a balmy 70 degrees here today too as I rode along California Route 49 in the "Gold Country".  

You're in great riding country.  I enjoy your Hwy 140, 108, and 4, and I love your Hwy 49, but they've all been by car.  They're on my bucket list to ride.  Next time you do Bend, look me up: there are some beautiful easy loops over our 4-5  mountain passes.  Or you can spend a week in John Day area and take different loops every day

[Red]

Bill,

Send that 25 inches to Burns.  We could use it.

[JamesW]

Hey, nice going Bill.  Last thing we need is more people up here from you know where.  

 

Regards,

Disgruntled native Oregonian 

[bendbill]

14 hours ago, JamesW said:

Hey, nice going Bill.  Last thing we need is more people up here from you know where.  

 

Regards,

Disgruntled native Oregonian 

As a matter of fact, James W, I've been showing community college students in little laid-back Prineville that the trickle of folks into their hometown has grown into a stream.  Stats also show that Deschutes county [ Bend ] sent 280+ people there last year.  The commuter way of life caused by rising housing prices is repeating an old pattern from Southern y-k-w.

[JamesW]

And to think I once wanted to retire in central Oregon, about 30 years ago  Better make that 35 come to think of it.  The influx from CA has changed the face of this region to the point I honestly don't recognize it.  A couple years ago we hiked to the top of Mt. McLaughlin in southern OR, which I've been doing since i was in the boy scouts, and we were appalled by the amount of just plain garbage left by hikers at the summit.  Yup, California north.

 

Where oh where is Tom McCall when we need him?