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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 31, 2019)
MyEagleNews.com Wednesday, July 31, 2019 J OURNEY A SUPPLEMENT OF EO M EDIA G ROUP Blue Mountain The C1 EAGLE Grant County’s newspaper since 1868 THROUGH G RANT C OUNTY AND BEYOND Scenic vistas abound for TOURING MOTORCYCLISTS Grant County boasts lots of curves, little traffic By Angel Carpenter Blue Mountain Eagle M otorcyclists interested in “the road less traveled” — free of heavy traffic — will find the sights, curves, forests and rock formations in Grant County a breath of fresh air. Whether on a Harley David- son, BMW, Yamaha or Suzuki, riders say they enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the people. Alice LeBarron, president of BMW Riders of Oregon, spon- sors the long-standing Chief Joseph Motorcycle Rally in John Day. She said the group enjoys its rides in the area. “I hear it over and over,” she said. “The community is so welcoming.” Jay Bennett leads riders on various tours through the area during the rally. He said one of his favorite routes is the Middle Fork Ride, a 124-mile loop. They start in John Day and head east on Highway 26 through Prairie City and Austin Junction. They turn left onto Oregon 7 and travel 1.1 miles, then turn left onto Middle Fork Lane (County Road 20), motoring for 39 miles alongside the Middle Fork John Day River, which travels through a spot called Galena. At Highway 395, they take a left turn and go 13 miles to the town of Long Creek and another 29 miles to Mt. Vernon, where a left turn is taken on Highway 26 back to John Day, 8 miles away. Bennett said he enjoys this particular ride for its peaceful scenery and clean roads, gener- ally free of gravel or fallen rocks. Locals and visitors alike enjoy an 87-mile loop that takes them from John Day, south on High- way 395 up Canyon Creek, 23 miles to Seneca where they turn left on Forest Road 16. The road goes through Logan Valley on the back side of the Strawberry Mountain Wilder- ness. After 25 miles and a bend in the road, another left turn is taken onto Forest Road 62, the Summit Prairie Road. That 23-mile stretch leads to Prairie City. Forest Road 62 becomes Bridge Street where another left is taken on Highway 26 to travel west 16 miles to John Day. Doug Carpenter of Prai- rie City said it’s a great ride up through the mountains, and there are places to stop along the way. “You’re out there, enjoying, relaxing and cruising and look- ing around,” he said. As with any route through Eastern Oregon, riders must be on the lookout for wildlife at all times, but especially in the morn- ing and evening hours. Motorcy- clists must also start with a full tank of gas. One ride surrounded by stun- ning geological features takes riders west on Highway 26 through Picture Gorge. It’s a 31-mile trip to Dayville. After continuing 7 miles, a right turn in Picture Gorge onto Oregon 19 leads to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument’s Sheep Rock Unit. The Thomas Con- don Paleontology Center, Blue Basin Overlook and Foree trail- head are along the 18-mile route to Kimberly. Riders can then turn around to return the way they came, or con- tinue the loop from Kimberly on Highway 402, traveling 14 miles to Monument, then another 21 miles to Long Creek. In Long Creek, riders turn right on High- way 395 and travel 29 miles to Mt. Vernon, then left on High- way 26 for an 8-mile trip back to John Day. The 128-mile loop is a favorite for riders throughout the region. “YOU’RE OUT THERE, ENJOYING, RELAXING AND CRUISING AND LOOKING AROUND.” — Doug Carpenter of Prairie City RANCH • Eagle photos/Angel Carpenter A motorcyclist takes a route through the Malheur National Forest on County Road 65. TOP IMAGE: BMW riders drive through the Malheur National Forest on County Road 65. RESIDENTIAL • RECREATIONAL • COMMERCIAL Locally Owned and Serving Eastern Oregon Since 1979 • Homemade Desserts • Hand Breaded Fish & Prawns • Fresh Painted Hills Beef • Hard Ice Cream Milkshakes • Jerry Franklin, Principal Broker • Michal Madden, Broker • Traci Frazier, Broker • Lindsey Madden, Broker • DeAnn Sandor, Broker BEST S R BURGE ND AROU RV ING PARK DAYVILLE, OREGON 212 W. Franklin Avenue • 541-987-2122 Wed. - Sat. 7am-8pm 541-448-2526 www.austinhousecafecountrystore.com We are located at Austin Junction (Hwy 26 & 7) Join us on 130612 130504 • Lodge • Meals Available • 10 Cabins (Hold 10 guests each) • Bath Houses • Piano & Games • Mountain Retreat • Ice and Showers Hunters welcome! YOUTH CAMP • REUNIONS • WEDDINGS Lake Creek Camp www.lakecreekcamp.org lakecreekcamp@yahoo.com 128242 www.easternoregonrealty.net • office@easternoregonrealty.net easternoregonrealestate.com • farmseller.com • rmls.com realtor.com • zillow.com • trulia.com
