Shoshone Falls, Idaho – todays first scenic delight! The roar of the falls was deafening, and their sheer magnitude was awe inspiring.

We stopped at The Cheese Fairy in Baker City for some yummy smoked cheese & crackers to enjoy with our wine at Copper Belt! A Ring-necked Pheasant darted across the dirt road to the winery, quite a handsome bird.

We’ve missed Travis when visiting Copper Belt the past couple trips because he was hunting. He told us about his upcoming trip in August – to Alaska, heart of grizzly country (!) to hunt caribou…? He has a portable electric fence to go around his campsite (!!!) and 40′ bear spray? Anyhow, this little spring bear is the latest addition to Copper Belts decor.

After a wine tasting and ordering wines (Travis will ship them in early July!) we sat out on the winery porch to enjoy Elevation. We were amused by the antics of a family of California Quail darting about in the grass! (We’re easily amused, clearly)

Sunrise saw the strawberry moon hanging low over the horizon. Copper Belt is such a special place, so peaceful. We always love stopping here!

Wait… what’s that little bird on the fence rail? It’s the adorable California Quail come to say ‘good morning’! As we departed a jack rabbit sprinted across the road as well!

After discussing the possible routes from Baker City to Sweet Home with Travis we opted to avoid the interstate. Instead we took the scenic path which started by driving through the Blue mountains alongside of the Powder river.

This beautiful stretch of road was called The Journey Through Time scenic byway. It even took us through a section of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument!

Each pass we crossed took us into different environments – the landscape is alternately verdant and lush greens or high scrub desert with barren rock remains of ancient volcanoes.

As we drove in the valley along the John Day river we had the Strawberry Mountains to our left. Happy valley indeed!

After Redmond we drove the Over the Rivers and Through the Woods scenic byway! Swaths of foxglove, lupine, and goatsbeard were blooming by the roadside with glorious abandon! The hillsides were covered with all manner of evergreens, truly gorgeous!

Our final pass of the day was Tombstone, after which was eleven miles of twisty winding 6% descent! Beautiful and slightly terrifying as some switchbacks were labeled as slow as 30 mph! But we reached Sweet Home at last and are currently enjoying cool breezes in the camper at our lovely shaded spot next to the lake.

Tomorrow we’ll visit Til!