Road Trip!

How well do you know this great state of ours?

During the long months of Covid-isolation, and needing a 'project', I created 'the Great Oregon Odyssey.' It was an Oregon-wide vision that included visiting 'gems' in each of the 36 Oregon counties. To be honest, some of the 'must-sees' included rolling wheat fields, grain elevators, and even ghost towns.

Along the way I rolled together a handful of resources outlining additional Oregon highlights. This week, that extended list took us out east to Shaniko, Fossil, and onto John Day. An Oregon Parks' museum in John Day was the target ~ Kim Wah Chung.

As it turns out, second to Portland, there was a day when John Day had the largest Chinese population in the state. Kim Wah Chung was a joint business venture, there in John Day, of a Chinese Merchant and a Chinese Herbalist. The store opened in the 1880's and operated until 1948, the year that the door was locked and Doc Hay moved to Portland. And there it all sat until 1968, a time-capsule-gem awaiting discovery.

As it turns out, there are many, many lakes, waterfalls, hikes, villages, and corners of Oregon that are filled with unique beauty and interest. For spring-breakers everywhere, which destinations are on your list? And if not this week, how about into summer? What parts of Oregon are calling your name?

Pastor Leah