Oregon Wide Open: A drive through the heart of the state
it or not, a museum of Chinese artifacts exists smack dab in the center of Oregon. Somewhat surprisingly, during the frontier days, John Day had a robust Chinese population. The Kam Wa Chung Museum was once the old Chinese store in the heart of Chinatown. Much of the original Chinese merchandise is still housed inside the little building, including bird feet and pieces of rattlesnake for herbal medicines. The tour guide, a lovely older lady, has been giving tours there for 20 years.
After a big country-style meal, Chris and I spend the rest of the day mountain biking in the Painted Hills. We climb up a ridge on a gravel Park Service road until we are too tired to go on anymore. We are the only people on the road. The ride down is glorious as the sun sets over the desert hills. Chris whips down the mountain; I go at a more leisurely pace to soak in the view. We meet at the bottom by a gurgling creek. The day has come to a close; bands of deer are out in the dim light of dusk.
The next day, Chris and I set out in our separate directions. The temperature dropped below freezing the night before, so in the morning we park our cars in full sun to melt the ice on our windshields. After breakfast, we wave goodbye.
Bike stuffed into my backseat, I point the car West, toward home. Faith, Love and Charity are waiting.
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