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The Secret

Hey there, good to see ya .

Glad you could make it here today.

I have something special for you today. Now that i have gotten to know you i want to share a secret with you. There is a place i like to go to that nobody knows about. I rarely even show pictures of this special place because i want to keep it all to myself.

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I know that sounds selfish, but it’s so peacful and beautiful and totally unspoiled. I’m afraid what would happen if too many others find out about it . Everyone will want to go there and before you know it the place will get crowded. Of course to me crowded means there were foot prints in the dirt when i got there. The reason most people don’t know about this place is because it’s not near any roads.

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It’s tough hiking and there are no established trials to it. The only way to find it is to have someone bring you there or to stumble upon it like i did years ago. Sure you can find it on a map if you look hard enough and on the right map. I have only been able to find it on two maps and they are not the kind most people buy. like i said, i like you and i think you can keep a secret but i have to start out slow. I’m going to show you some pictures and give you a hint and the rest is up to you.

I call it Secret Lake. I know there are hundreds of secret lakes but this one really is. in all the times i have been there only once was there another person there. I’m taking a big chance just by talking about it but i know my secret is safe with you.

the late morning sun turns the lake to gold

This lake is only about 50 acres. Some would really call it a pond. It’s in the south central part of the state near the California border.

My piece of heaven

Good luck finding it. if you can’t find it on your own just let me know and i’ll take you with me next time i go.

Central Oregon Mule Deer

Howdy!

I know, It’s been a while.

I’ve been looking through some photos albums and i guess i lost track of time.

I have some pictures i want to show you, so pull up a seat and lets have a look.

A good buck Near Bend Oregon

One of my favorite things to do is take pictures of wildlife, and my favorite subject is the mule deer. When I go fishing and hiking i’m always on the lookout for wildlife of all kinds. For some reason when i spot a deer i always want to linger and watch. I usually have a camera handy so i take some pictures if i can.

Mulie does

While mule deer numbers are not what they were when i was a kid, they are still common in Central Oregon and most of the western states.

The diverse landscape of central Oregon provides habitat for mule deer as well as Pronghorn antelope, elk, bighorn sheep and even a few blacktail deer on the very edge of the Cascade mountains.

habitat being "developed"

Due to encroachment by humans and numerous other factors mule deer numbers are in decline. Groups like Oregon Hunters Association and the Mule deer foundation work diligently to enhance and protect habitat to ensure the survival of the mule deer,blacktail deer and a host of other huntable and non game animals.

: from my bedroom window

I have done many hours of volunteer work for the conservation of deer and elk, and i thoroughly enjoy doing my part to ensure the survival of all wildlife.

Cooling Off in Central Oregon

I hope you enjoyed climbing around on the rocks.

In Central Oregon those rocks can get darn hot, so I thought you might want to cool down.

snowmelt stream Cascade Mtns

Have a splash in this ice cold snow melt and you’ll feel great! there’s nothing more refreshing after a long hike.

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Sure it’s going to be cold, even in july these snow fed streams can be cold enough to take your breath away.

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Now just toss your clothes there on the bank and get wet. What do you mean you’re bashful? Theres no one around for miles!

See? no one around.

Well suit yourself. I’m getting in. Keep your clothes on if you’re gonna get all modest. You’ll be dry in no time once you get out of the water.

snowmelt waterfall

Now don’t be a sissy just sticking your toes in. Jump right in!You’ll get used to it…. Brrr.

Central Oregon Rocks

So call me crazy, but I like rocks. I’m no geologist, but I do have a keen interest in rock formations. They are rugged and inspiring and i never tire of looking at them.

Mt Washington behind lava flow

The volcanic activity that formed the Cascade Mountains also formed the basalt and lava flows of Central Oregon.

When wind and rain erode the surface these great columns and cliffs are exposed. If you look up to the canyon top where the earth meets the sky you will see what I mean. Known by most as rimrocks, these formations change very slowly and are a true symbol of the old west.

Central Oregon Rimrock

As a kid i loved to hike in and around these rocks. Sometimes i would get so caught up in exploring i would forget about time and have to find my way out in the dark.

Ape Face Rock

A few years ago i went for a short hike to the bottom of a canyon. It only took me about an hour to get to the bottom,but i took a bad step and fell and badly sprained my knee. It took me four hours to get back out.

Look closely and you can see the river in the bottom left of the picture below. I wanted to see if there was a good spot to fish. My truck was parked on the far side of the highest rim.

where i sprained my knee

I still find fascination with these ancient formations and still hike and climb them. I just hike a little slower and try to get back to camp a little earlier.

Take a Lesson From the Trees

Got Trees?

Central Oregon does.

Oh not the kind most people are used to. Central Oregon is home to the Juniper tree.

Central Oregon Juniper tree

It takes a special kind of tree to adapt to the poor soil and lack of rainfall and the juniper fits right in. The juniper is one tough tree and a personal favorite of mine. It withstands drought, high winds and just about anything man or nature can throw at it.

Juniper tree used as an elk rub

This young juniper was unfortunate to be in the path of a big bull elk.

The elk and deer thrash these trees to rub the drying velvet off their antlers. even though this tree might die, many survive this kind of abuse.

a "window" from a burned juniper

Sometimes it can even survive forest fire. Just about the only thing that can kill a juniper is a chainsaw.

I’m always looking for the unique shapes that trees can grow. Even when twisted and contorted from the forces of nature, junipers are able survive when most trees would die.

a true survivor

If you look closely you can see that this tree is still growing healthy branches.

Even when Junipers die they can be intersting to look at. One never knows what unusual shapes one might find.

in the crotch of a dead juniper

fire burned juniper

Now wasn’t that fun? Tune in next time when we’ll talk about rocks. Bye!

Central Oregon….Big Country

The first time I stepped up to the rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona I was in awe. I had seen many picture of the canyon so I thought I knew what I would see. No single photo could begin to show its amazing beauty.

Central Oregon is like that too.

Ochoco Mountains Central Oregon

Central Oregon is big country.

Miles of wide open space

It’s hard to get your mind wrapped around it unless you have experienced it. I grew up out west so I’m used to the vastness of the western states.

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When I moved to the east coast I learned the word “claustrophobic”. Everything is close and tight. Now don’t get your hackles up if you’re an easterner. I’s not that one is better than the other.

It’s all in what you like. There are some beautiful places in the east, but most of what I have seen that isn’t developed is heavily forested. It’s like living in a fishbowl because if you want to see the sky you have to look up.

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I have to see the sky. Out west you don’t have to look up to see it. It’s right there all around you. Beautiful horizons, beckoning to come explore. I love the way the sky merges with the desert floor with the mountains in the distance.

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Sometimes it’s hard to tell where the ground ends and the sky begins. It gives me a sense of freedom knowing there is so much space around me. When I try to explain it to someone who has never been out west I usually get out some pictures to show them. Even so…. A picture can’t do justice to this incredible land.

What to write…….

Well i don’t know what to write today. My computer is up and running again but my brain refuses to work. My dad used to say “just do something even if it’s wrong.” So i’ll take his advise and give you something to look at. Nothing real wordy here but maybe i’ll elaborate in a later post.

One of the things i like about the high desert of Central Oregon is that to the casual observer there doesn’t seem to be anything growing. I have heard from many people that the desert seems lifeless. Well there is plenty of life, but sometimes you just have to look a little harder.

wildflowers central oregon

Here’s some pictures of wildflowers from various places in Central Oregon.

From a distance they are colorful, but not all that impressive. But when you get up close you can see they are quite beautiful p8010028

Don’t ask me to name these flowers. I don’t know what they are called, i just like them.

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OK, So i do the name of one of these flowers. I’t the California Poppy. Not too common in Central Oregon. In fact i have never seen a California poppy growing wild in this area except this one. I found it growing next to the highway near Madras.

California Poppy

I have no idea what these odd looking flowers are. They are very interesting to look at so i’ll have to do more investigating to determine what they are. p5240019

Well that’s it for now. See you again real soon.

Cows are for Grilling

Continue reading Cows are for Grilling

Now for Something Completely Different

OK, by now you have figured out from the pictures I’ve shown you that Central Oregon is spectacular in it’s beauty.

Whether you are just visiting or you live and work in Central Oregon you can’t spend all your time hiking and fishing in the mountains. Once in a while you have to go through town. And when you do there are cool things to see there too.

For instance, vintage cars.

I know, all i have been talking about is wild places and mountains, and now i’m talking cars. Whats up with that?

Well, I love vintage cars and Central Oregon is a great place to find them.

'61 Ford Bronco

the climate in the high desert is perfect to preserve old cars since the air is very dry most of the time. Things here just don’t rust out like they do in other more humid places.

restored ford truck

In the Bend and Redmond area there are lots of people driving vintage cars that are perfectly restored. There are just as many cars that look like they might not make it to the next stop light, but it’s great to see these classics still on the road and being driven.

I know, i’m a ford man, so heres a little love for Jimmy (GMC).

'55 GMC

And a little nostalgia for you chevy fans. I think it’s a ’63 impala but not sure.

Chevy Impala

There is even a European vintage car club in town. I’ve seen Aston Martins, Austin Healys, and Alfa Romeos.

I basically grew up in an autobody shop since my dad was a custom painter and body man. I remember dad painting some great cars and This 1935 Ford pickup was one i helped him work on.

'35 Ford

It was a full restore down to the frame. The crazy thing about it, after all that work the owner never drove it. He took it home and parked it outside. There it sat for over 20 years and the paint on it is still good. p4260010 What a waste.

Hope you enjoyed the blast from the past. I’m off to find more pictures for my next post.

Joseph Creek

Can a blog be just pictures?

Well today it is.

These are pictures of Joseph Creek.

Joseph Creek

I took my uncle fishing there a few years ago and I’m dying to go back. The fishing was terrible even though it’s well know for great fishing.

My favorite Fishing hole

These pictures were taken in the first week of June, but don’t let the greenery fool ya it was cold!

Wallowa Mountains

We woke to an inch of snow on June 7th. By the time i got out of my warm bed and had a cup of coffee it had melted, so i didn’t get any pictures to prove it. They don’t call the Wallowa Mts the Oregon Alps for nothing.

Field at Ninebark Lodge

It was a great time and i want to tell you more about it… and more pictures tomorrow.

DonShepherd.me

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The Secret

Central Oregon Mule Deer

Cooling Off in Central Oregon

Central Oregon Rocks

Take a Lesson From the Trees

Central Oregon….Big Country

What to write…….

Cows are for Grilling

Now for Something Completely Different

Joseph Creek

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