Today we explored the Oregon high Desert discovery scenic byway. We had just started on our trip when we finally found the sandhill cranes. Not much of a migration since we only found 4 cranes but they are huge.

This is definitely the Wild West, so much of it is uninhabited. The huge ranches filled with cows gave way to the spectacular Steens mountains and buttes. We saw wild horses roaming and lots of raptors. The Alvord Desert was not sand at all but like a hardened mud. Of course we ventured out in the Jeep. It was quite interesting as we continuously saw mirages in front of us that looked like we would be driving into water. Very disorienting as well since we had trouble finding our way back out of the desert.

We had been advised that in this area you never pass a gas station without filling up. We made the stop at Fields. Gas was only $7 a gallon but they make the very best milkshake. The secret, each milkshake had 1/3 of a gallon of ice cream. Population of the town of Fields is 11 people.