Oregon Trail Interpretive Center plus camping at Phillips Lake

Our adventure begins e-a-r-l-y with a 4 hour drive to eastern Oregon, our destination: the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (4 miles past Baker City).

Each and every Oregonian should see this, if you haven't already. It depicts what put Oregon on the map and its role in developing the route to the west.

Using life-size displays, films and live theater presentations, this Center tells the story of Oregon Trail pioneers, explorers, miners and settlers of the frontier west. The 500-acre site includes remnants of the historic Flagstaff Gold Mine, actual ruts carved by pioneer wagons, and magnificent vistas of the historic trail route.

Hours of operation: 10am - 5pm, Admission is $8, $6 for seniors.

I'll need a couple of drivers to volunteer their vehicles. It takes 4.5 hours to arrive there. We all will hand the driver a $20 bill during introductions at the rendezvous spot.

The plan: Drive east towards Baker City, breaks enroute. Lunch enroute. Arrive at the Center. Depart at 5pm. After eating in Baker City, we'll drive west to Phillips Lake where we'll camp for the night--it is walk-in at $15 a night. Potable water, flush toilets. On the south shore there are campsites that are primitive (free, but no facilities). Either location, all you need to bring is water, and a cash and carry breakfast.

The following day, we head back to Bend, stopping in Mitchell for lunch at Tiny Town Brewing Co.

I expect to be back in Tumalo by 4pm.