Saturday evening we got out the map to see what looked interesting on the loop back home. Mike’s motto is to never backtrack, so whatever we did, we’d at least cover different terrain than our ride in yesterday. My only goal was to spend time walking around Union and seeing their Hotel. After checking out some information online, we decided to check out Weston (near Athena – the birthplace of Hodaka motorcycles!) which was another pioneer town with a brick-faced downtown.
Dropping down towards Weston on Hwy 11
Weston is another cute little town with more past than present. I spent a bunch of time trying to dig up info, and compiled it here. A note to any historic society in small towns across the country – if you want people to come look at your historic downtown area, have a downloadable map of the area available on your Chamber of Commerce website. It would honestly take someone with a tiny bit of skill maybe a couple hours to make and it would really generate so much more interest in your town!
Anyway, off my bully pulpit and back on the bike! Weston is indeed worth a stop, with plenty of neat old buildings in the quiet downtown, and some older homes interspersed with new in the outlying areas.
I love the grass peeking out from the roof, and colored the same as the building
Cafe is closed. I think this is the worst thing about the economy, little places like this don't stand a chance.
Memorial Hall
Isham Saling House - This really should be a museum!
After wandering through the Sunday-quiet town and gawking at all the cool old houses, we headed down the road and towards Union
Near Tollgate on Hwy 204
More high water outside Union
I’d been wanting to spend some time wandering around Union, ever since we stopped here for lunch with our riding buddies a few years back.
As we pulled into town, Mike suddenly veered off the Main street and onto a side road, stopping in front of a yard sale. Uh oh. Well, how bad could it be, we’re on bikes, it’s not like he’s going to buy something big, right? Nope, but he did spot this stylin’ helmet, and once we found out it would fit in his side bag, he worked the owner down to five bucks and he was the proud owner of this 1970’s monstrosity.
The ultimate buddy helmet - you'd really have to want to ride to wear this!
The town has an interesting history, and it was so neat to see the old hotel up and running as a B&B. I’d tried to get a room here (great prices!), but they were completely booked, so we had to settle with wandering around and talking to the informative and humorous owner.
Furniture and Undertaking. I can see how these go together, sort of.
I'm wondering what prompted this sign facing the creek. Did they really have trouble with wayward horses and radical bikers floating the river?
Union High School's imposing front entrance
Many of the buildings have an odd asian flair to them
After wandering around town for a few hours, it was getting late, and time to head for home.
Well, I thought it was time to head for home, Mike found another antique store in North Powder, it was closed, but a quick phone call to the owner brought her down from her house behind the shop, and we had a great time wandering through her stuff and talking about various fun places we’d seen on our travels.
North Powder Antiques
Dry goods and water towers
The rest of the ride home was beautiful and quiet. We stopped at our favorite restaurant in John Day for a late lunch (awesome salads!) and got on the bikes for the last leg of the trip.
John Day River near flood stage
It was amazing to ride through Picture Gorge with the river so high.
This is what it usually looks like (photo from the same bend in the road, slightly different angle)
Highway 26, with little traffic on a Sunday afternoon is about the best way to finish a weekend-long ride.
mikefalcioni.com 