Logs for Zzzoey & illDRIVEuNav 

N 44° 31.540 W 121° 17.973
Suspension Bridge
over the Deschutes River
Lake Billy Chinook
Central Oregon

This bridge may not be the biggest suspension bridge, or even the most traveled, but it HAS to be in one of the most scenic places on earth. Lake Billy Chinook is a large man-made reservoir in North Central Oregon that holds the water from three major rivers: The Deschutes, The Metolius and the Crooked. Jordan Road, which was originally built well before the rivers were dammed in the mid 20th century, winds its way through the canyons and crosses both the Deschutes and Crooked arms of the lake. The original grade was constructed by laborers paid $1.00 a day. The switchbacks are amazing, as you can see on the aerial photo. This bridge is suspension type bridge, with two main supports. The abuttments are imbedded in the canyon basalt. It is a popular spot for people to jump into the super deep waters, and a great place to stop and enjoy the views. 

N 44° 46.208 W 123° 08.823
Buena Vista Ferry
Willamette River
Polk & Marion Counties, Oregon
Open Seasonally: May through October

From the Spanish meaning good view, the town of Buena Vista, Oregon developed around 1847. The Buena Vista Ferry began service four years later. It holds 4 cars easily, maybe a few more if they are tiny. Zzzoey strolled around on the ferry while it crossed, taking pictures, and enjoying the peaceful ride very much. The cost for our truck was $1.25 - which is the car rate. Not bad! When we pulled up to the East bank, the ferry was sitting on the West bank. I couldn't see far enough to be able to discern if there was an operator on board. There were no cars waiting on the other side, and we thought perhaps we were out of luck. illDRIVEuNav and I decided to just park at the thick painted line and wait to see if someone noticed us. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the little ferry wandered over to our side and by the time the gate was down, there was a car and a bicyclist waiting in line with us.

No bells, whistles, lights, atm type ticket machines.... just drive up and park, hand the guy some change and watch him work his little engine and pull us across the river via cable! A great ride through beautiful farm country.

narrative video of Buena Vista Ferry crossing: (visit link) 

N 44° 43.387 W 121° 14.959
Detroit Dam
North Santiam River
Oregon

This dam is located in Marion County, and was completed in 1952 by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. At a height of 463 feet above it's foundation, it was at the time of construction the 8th tallest dam in the world. It has since lost that distinction. The reservoir was filled in 1953, and formed the 400' deep Detroit Lake. The old town of Detroit had to be moved, house by house before the reservoir could be filled, and now exists mostly as a recreation center for the lake. The lake is over nine miles long with more than 32 miles of shore line. This is the spot for all types of water sports: fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, and personal watercraft.

According to Zzzoey's mom, who grew up near here, the old roads and foundations of the town of Detroit are still under the water, and the stumps of the trees that were cut down to make room for the water are still preserved and can be seen every winter when the water is at it's lowest. Zzzoey's mom remembers boating on the lake as a kid and being dreadfully frightened by the hulky underwater stumps, always present in the murk.