Travel review for June 4

Route and Map

I left Beaverton by way of the oft-traveled Highway 26 over the river and through the woods, past Mount Hood and along the lava stone lined hotness that is the Warm Springs Indian (Native American) Reservation. At this time of year it is possible to experience temperatures as low as 40 (F) degrees to 90 (F) degrees in the space of two hour's travel. Ones ears tend to pop a bit as well because of the changes in elevation.

At Madras I turned south along US Highway 97 and then passed through Redmond and Bend. Southeast along SR 31 and then finally south on US Highway 395 into California and finally on to Cedarville.

Along my return route, about 15 miles from the Oregon border, a California Highway Patrolman politely asked me to stop along the side of the road for a short discussion about my velocity. He was most kind (he was a dick) and even asked me for my autograph (gave me a ticket). I'm very glad that he was there to protect me from myself and, with the State of California being in such terrible debt these days, I'm sure my contribution to their revenue sheet was a welcome sight indeed. That was my second ticket in almost 25 years of driving.

Proceeding more slowly, I continued north along US 395 back into the warm embrace of Oregon, landing in Riley at the confluence of US Highways 20 and 395. Originally I had intended to collect my checkpoint stamp and to move on in the direction of Idaho, but my earlier encounter with the pig lawman spoiled my mood so I bedded down where I landed. I headed home the next morning.

Join me in singing the Badge of Honor, won't you?