Learning in central Oregon

Blog

Visit to central Oregon

Central Oregon is a wonderful place to learn.  First of all, it does not rain very much so it's a really good place to learn outdoors.

The most inescapable feature is the geology.  There are mountains: from the deck of our house we can see the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th tallest mountains in Oregon.  With a short walk we can also see the tallest.  I love to sit and "check that my mountains are okay" - it's a very important job I assure the boys.   This visit was the first time that we have been there in late summer and there was no, or minimal, snow on them. I loved Benjamin's description of "your mountains look sick, mum".  They certainly don't look as beautiful as when they are covered with snow.  So, we had a good discussion about altitude and seasons, and what might be a good time to go climbing them. 

Secondly are the rivers and the spectacular canyons that they have carved.  The layers of rock, the undulations, colours all tell a geologic history that I know nothing about, but would love to learn.  Why, for instance, did the river carve that path, not 50m to one side? 

Thirdly are the remnants of volcanic eruptions.  Lava flows,  high mountain lakes that are so cold to swim in until you reach a bubbling, sulphurous area that suddenly almost burns you, obsidian and pumice flows to clamber over - and again wonder "why here, when to each side there are forests growing?".  

There is the lava tube, lava cast forest and many more buttes to explore.  The boys are beginning to piece together in their minds how it works, what to look for, what to expect in each area.  My prediction: they will have a good grasp on vulcanology by the time they are teenagers. 

Aside from that there is the flora and fauna of the area, so different from the Willamette Valley.  Armed with a great book of the wildlife of the northwest, we set out to explore the area: footprints, scat, holes, marks on trees, feathers are all routinely examined to determine just what has been there.  They have also learned that sitting quietly is the only way to observe wildlife: just watching a jack rabbit eating for 20 minutes was interesting, and I have to admit that watching my boys still and observant for 20 minutes is a fascinating experience in its own right. 

The other bonus of traveling up to central Oregon is the three hour drive.  Several years ago I would not have considered this a bonus, but then we discovered "Your Story Hour", a series of stories on CDs about famous people (mostly).  Each story is about 25 minutes long, and inspiring.  We have learned about Louis Pasteur, Walter Reid, Eleanor Roosevelt, Booker T Washington,  to name a tiny handful.  All have inspired me to go on and read more about them.  As soon as we get in the car they shout "story hour", and even ones that we have heard numerous times still bring about silence in the car and then great discussions.  Isn't that every parent's dream?  That and the doughnut stop in Sisters.