Boring Oregon

Boring – Oregon is really the name of the town and we love it.

Mount Hood

After you get to the west side of Mount Hood, as we anticipated everything is green. We are just north of the “official” end of the Oregon Trail, which we visited while we were here.  The pioneers started fanning out at our previous camping spot, at John Day River, near Hood River and The Dalles. Some floated the Columbia River, and some took an overland route south of Mount Hood called the Barlow Road. A few even went north into what is present-day Washington. The biggest obstacle between our last campsite and the final push was the Deschutes River and the pioneers knew that the only thing that stood between them and their destination was the forested area around Mount Hood or the cliffs in the Columbia River Gorge (The Dalles).

Barlow Road

It is hard to say most, but probably the largest majority took the Barlow Road, which was cut through thick forest south of Mount Hood and was operated as a toll road. What history doesn’t say much about is that the Barlow Road and many ferries along the Oregon Trail were toll roads.  The earlier pioneers established these passages, in this case through a very difficult forest, with no other way around, with the idea they could profit from the travelers. Not surprising, the toll collectors, profited handsomely from their efforts. Much like the guy who sold shovels to the miners during the gold rush.

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley runs south from the Columbia River between the coastal mountain range and deep into Oregon. The valley is a rain magnet and food basket. We are deep into fall, the leaves on the trees are turning brilliant colors and new grass is growing. Wet and fertile is the operable theme. Nothing in Washington or California matches the farming potential of the Willamette Valley, and the pioneers knew it.

Sandy

Sandy is the first town as you exit the forest westbound into the Willamette Valley, Boring is the next town. If you turn south at Boring, you can cross the Bakers Ferry across the Clackamas River, and then to Oregon City, with no more rivers to cross. Oregon City was at the Willamette River, right at the Willamette Falls. (Oregon City was first named Willamette Falls.) In 1850 this was (and still is) the largest waterfall, with the largest volume of water, in the entire northwest. The waterfall has been captured and no longer looks like it’s previous wild self. A closed paper mill and still functioning hydroelectric plant has hit the waterfall with an ugly stick.

We stayed at Boring last year and walked down to the Bakers Ferry site which is now under the Bakers Ferry Bridge and we love the park. Bakers Ferry site is a prime fishing spot. This is a very natural setting; lots of trees, open grass, large campsites and except for weekends very quiet.    

Last Sunday, we crossed Portland and Beaverton back to one of our favorite places; L.L. Stub Steward State Park. This is halfway between Boring and Astoria, which is located at the northwest corner of Oregon and starting Next week we are going to drive and camp our way south on the Oregon Coast; from the north tip, until we cross into California. Someday, we will try the same thing in Washington, but unlike Oregon, Washington has lots of islands to deal with along the coast.

Here is a link to the google map for the area.

Link to our 2019 Route

Link to our route Boise to Oregon Coast

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