Summer Lake

Between Goose Lake and Oregon City/Clackamas there is quite a bit of Oregon to pass through. Much of it goes pretty much unnoticed. I'm referring to what I suppose is typically thought of as Eastern Oregon. That part east of the more popular areas around Bend where so many folks go to ski or play golf or stay at nice resorts. The large eastern half of the state out a ways from the beaten path without much of a real destination spot to speak of. I don't know how it would be properly described? Some of it is mountainous and tree covered. Pine and fir I guess? Some is semi-arid with dry lake beds or shallow almost dry lakes. Some of it is cattle county. The area near Summer Lake is cattle country.

As you can see by the photos, we got caught up in some of that. When we came up on this cattle drive there were two cowboys working the herd. Just as we got behind them a little maverick took off over the hill and one of the cowboys gave chase. He almost got the little critter back and going with the flow when it broke again and the last we saw of that cowboy was him going over the ridge swinging his lariat and screaming "you little %&*%^&!!!" We had to laugh. The other cowboy disappeared in the same general direction for a while and things kind of deteriorated with the herd. I think mostly the herd was kind of going along with traffic although they were somewhat restricted by fences along the highway. We had a good time just following along. Wasn't much point in trying to hurry. I think these guys are pretty gentle for the most part but we didn't want any horns, hoofs, or big ol' cow butts in or on the motor home. Going with the flow seemed the prudent and enjoyable thing to do. One cowboy made if back and we followed the herd for a few miles and probably a good 30 or 40 minutes. We ended up no worse for wear other than some dust and cow plop on the rock guard. It washed off.