In late September I was returning from a trip to Arizona and was descending the Steens Mtn. loop (more about this later) about 60 miles south of Burns, OR in a thunderstorm. I had planned to camp but the rain was making that option less desirable.
Entering the settlement of Frenchglen (population 12) I saw a cozy-looking historic hotel. “Ah,” I said, picturing a warm bed under a roof. Emerging from my car, I immediately saw the “No Vacancy” sign. Bummer. But I went inside anyway and knocked on the “employees only” door.
A young man came out and confirmed the no vacancy but told me there was an RV park down the road where I might be able to set up my tent. Suddenly he asked, “Do I know you?” I drew a blank at first. He then asked, “Are you a Chemeketan?” It was then I realized I was talking to Chemeketan Conlon Murphy. It turns out Conlon and his wife Mary are doing a very good job managing the hotel and Conlon is also the executive chef (the food is wonderful).
It turns out the hotel did have an empty room after all and my service dog Fajita and I spent a very comfortable night while the thunder, lightning and rain did their thing outside. Coffee and sourdough pancakes for breakfast.
As to the Steens Mountain Loop, it is a 59 mile road through beautiful high desert to the top of the mountain (almost 10,000 ft.) and back down. At the top the canyon below is more than a vertical mile straight down. All in all it is a most spectacular drive. The road itself is well graded gravel and is a curvy but easy drive.
This area in Eastern Oregon would be a wonderful site for a Chemeketan Outing. There are 3 campgrounds, hiking, outcrop rock climbing, wildlife refuge, hot springs, exploring, history and even fishing.