Desert Life… Oregon, Idaho, Nevada in 3 days.

JORDAN VALLEY, OR – If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s the value of seizing the day and going forward with less planning to pursue with utmost vigor the things that make one happy. Appreciation for what may have been trivial before seems easier and has encouraged us to simply do something whenever we can because it’s the pursuit that causes happiness. 

With only a couple days warning, a call was put out for hardy adventurers to go on a ‘greatest hits’ journey of the Owyhee area located in the extremely south east portion of Oregon. We’d end up spending some time in Nevada and a hour or two in Idaho over the long weekend but we had a great time revisiting some interesting sites and happened to stumble across a few things we hadn’t seen before. 

Areas of the drive were amazing. The above photo was taking in extreme northern Nevada as we dropped down into the valley below

There is a very cool hot spring located on the side of the Owyhee river at the ‘three forks’ recreational site. This is a definite recommendation BUT be a strong swimmer, have a boat, or wait until the early fall to go as you must ford the river to get to it. 

As the sun was setting, we found this ideal place to set up camp. The reward… a beautiful sunrise and mosquitos. 

The terrain varies greatly in eastern Oregon. These dry lake beds were just south of Burns near the “OO” ranch. 

Lining up for the group shot at a place called “windy gap” near some excellent ghost mines. This general area is one of our favorites as just over the hill from here is an amazing homestead and mine well worth exploring.

The placard said this place was perhaps the first “indoor mall” you could see there was an indoor promenade and store fronts lodged inside. A pity it was all locked up. 

Wide open spaces is what it’s all about.

The two ‘true’ Suzuki enthusiasts on the trip.

The Pillars of Rome is located just outside Rome, Oregon. Last time we were here, it was possible to walk all around them and explore but now there is a significant portion that is fenced off by a ranch. It is a better driving tour now than hiking spot.

The Suzuki Equator project truck is going strong after all these years. We are continually amazed at how rugged this pickup has been.

Mercury processing equipment in Oregon

A favorite location. To the right is the mining laboratory filled with core samples and records of all kinds. 

We visited the grave site of the world famous explorer Jean Baptiste Charbonneau just outside of Rome, Oregon. He’s buried on what was a Idaho to California wagon train route and early motor route that is now abandoned and mostly vanished. The grave site is well taken care of and there is a lot of mementos left behind by those that wish to honor this great person. 

Jean Baptiste Charbonneau was a Native American-French Canadian explorer, guide, fur trapper, trader, military scout during the Mexican–American War, alcalde of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia and a gold digger and hotel operator in Northern California. His mother was a Shoshone Indian known as Sacagawea.

If you’re interested in this type of adventure, please subscribe to our forum and look for events and adventure announcements there. We’d love to have you join us for an epic outback adventure!

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