Pendleton to Redmond and the PNW Overlander 4×4 show.
Leaving Pendleton winding through hills and canyons it was a mix of rolling benchlands and granite outcrops. This area was a bustling gold and silver mining area in the middle to late 1800’s. Traces are still visible of people who removed an estimated $10 million in gold and silver. Driving on the road in a comfortable vehicle it is hard to imagine that just 175 years ago people with thousands upon thousands of pioneer wagons pulled by oxen and mule teams were making their way west in the 1850s to settle the Oregon Territory.
Our first overnight stop was in Kimberley, a great spot right on the river. (Freezing cold) From here we moved on to Mitchell. Breathtaking landscapes, and stunning vistas dotted with old towns and ranches are all part of Oregon’s extraordinary and ruggedly beautiful interior. Mitchell might have a “Ghost Town” look, yet it is anything but dead! One of the last frontier towns of the Old West The frontier spirit is alive and well today.
From Mitchell it is just a few kilometres to the painted hills National Monument and another few kilometres to the painted hills with varied stripes of red, tan, orange, and black, all part of the changes from the ice age to today (past climate change) The Painted Hills also contains a diverse variety of leaf fossils aging 39-30 million years old named the Bridge Creek Flora.
We found a nice bush camp just around 15 kilometres before Redmond. Redmond has a population of around 33000 and is fast growing. Located in Central Oregon it is promoted as the adventure area together with nearby town of Bend. The area has mountains, rivers, canyons, waterfalls, and the painted cliffs nearby. In winter skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoe trails on the slopes of Mt Bachelor and HooDoo are the main attractions.
Once we did our last-minute shopping in Redmond and updated our phone card it was time to meet up with the organizers of the PNW Overlander 4×4 show in Redmond. This show is marketed as the world premier overlanding event in the world. From the brochure “no other event offers the scope of classes taught by the world’s leading experts alongside a professional-level trade show that brings together all the camping and vehicle and motorcycle equipment and services you need to Get Outfitted. Get Trained. Get Inspired. Get Going.”
The show was held at the Deschutes County expo centre covering 340 acres and has amazing views of the Cascade Mountains.
The show was an enormous success. Before, during and after various presentations, it was great to meet people who have been following us on Facebook, our newsletter and website for many years.
During our presentations (overlanding Asia, Middle East, and Africa) it became noticeably clear that most Americans who attended the show have a fear of going overseas or abroad into Mexico. It amazed us that most have little knowledge of the rest of the world and most questions were always related to safety, security, and border crossings.
Let us hope our presentations made them understand that the world is not a dangerous place and most people in all countries around the world are super friendly towards tourist and many times you will be invited into their houses.
Due to a family emergency we had to leave early on the last day of the show to catch flights to Europe. We will be back in the USA July 29 to continue our journey.
A few years ago, we met Jeff and Shyanne in Mexico, and they offered us parking at their property just north of Portland while we travelled to Europe. At the same time Jeff serviced our vehicle. MANY THANKS MATE.
Till next time when we return from Europe and will be exploring Washington state
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