Day 1 - Redmond, OR to Baker City, OR

Out the door and off to Prineville, Oregon at 5:50 am. The plan was to split an omelet at Dad's, hit Starbucks and head for out first stop in Sumpter, Oregon. So much for plans. Dad's operates on a schedule that's...well not really a schedule. They open pretty much when they want and today they didn't want. The Apple Peddler filled in for Dad's, Starbucks didn't fail us and highway 26 in the early morning is a great drive.

Four plus hours down the road we drove through downtown Sumpter. Took about three minutes. A U-turn took us back to the sole surviving dredge that worked the Sumpter Valley in the early 1900's. Shipped in pieces and assembled on site, the dredge is open to view at no charge. We were ready to shell five bucks apiece, but instead put it aside for a beer later on.

Devouring bucket loads of dirt and rock these machines worked the Sumpter Valley between 1912 and 1954, producing millions of dollars in gold. Well worth a visit in you are in the area. Or anywhere near the area.

Then it was off to Baker City and our first overnight. AAA in Bend set us up at the Geiser Grand Hotel on Main Street. If you are in Baker City stay at the Geiser Grand. Opened in 1889 and undergoing an award winning restoration, it is old world charm at a reasonable price. Highly recommended.

Unable to check into our hotel tell 4:00, we headed up to Anthony Lake. Ten plus miles uphill and back took enough time off the clock that we could check in and get ready for dinner. Barley Brown's has a couple of great dark beers and a large selection of entrees.

Tomorrow we are off to Joseph, Oregon for three nights. 303 miles today.

Gold Dredge - Sumpter, Oregon

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