La Grande OR: On the return trip from La Grande I decided to exit I-84 to follow highway 244 to Ukiah and follow the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway to Heppner. About 5 miles out of Ukiah the road 53 to Heppner was barricaded and closed to all vehicles except snowmobiles. Yes, there was a sign saying the road was closed but I didn’t believe it… unfortunately it was true. What now.
I followed Highway 395 south to Long Creek finding a few buttercups in bloom roadside.

At Long Creek I turned north to Monument and then connected with highway 19 at Kimberly then followed the John Day river downstream.
I stopped roadside to stretch my legs and found this Yellow Bell (Fritillaria pudica).

Doctors recommend drivers stop every 50 miles and walk around the car. I choose to look for wildflowers.
byLarry