Union, Oregon
Union, Oregon: Just a short drive today, on I-84, when we took
a right (at exit 285 through North Powder) and headed up to spend a few days in the Union/La Grande area of NE
Oregon. This area is ripe with Oregon Trail history, gold rush stories and
plenty of hot spring mineral baths with promises of healing what ails you.
This part of Oregon is farmland and ranchland. Small towns. High school football is very
important. People are friendly.
Recently, large electricity-producing wind turbines have been sprouting
on hilltops. This is, of course, controversial. We all like electricity, but we
all like our beautiful mountain views.
We Oregonians are forward-thinkers, and we treasure
our pristine places. This issue will continue to
cause debate in My Great State.
We are camped for a few days at the very nice Eagles Hot Lake RV Park on Highway
203 between
Union and
La Grande. After settling-in,
we headed out in the Honda to visit the
Hot Lake
Springs Hotel, next to the RV park. For some
reason, bronze sculptor David Manuel left his studio
in Joseph, Oregon and relocated to the abandoned and
nearly-condemned Hot Lake Springs Hotel. It is his
dream to restore the hotel - and invigorating hot
mineral pools - and re-open to guests. His bronze
casting studio and shop/gallery is also housed at
the hotel. (We
visited Manuel in Joseph in 2003.)
The
history of this property is fascinating, starting with ancient
people who enjoyed the hot mineral pools. I am not a historian. I am not
a demolition expert. I know nothing about restoring historic buildings.
I am not a bronze caster. I have no knowledge of hotel management. I am
telling you this place is not ready to open in "two weeks" as the guide
told us today. There are a million pigeons living in the rafters.
Swallow nests cover the eaves. I wish the Manuel family much luck with
their endeavors, as I want this property to be restored to its past
grandeur. Another Oregon jewel?
A statue by David Manuel greets visitors to the Hot Lake Springs Hotel
between Union & La Grande
We continued to the adorable town of Union. Nearly the
entire main street is on the historical register and Union became famous
nation-wide in 2006 when an 18-year boy man was elected mayor in a write-in
campaign. The town has several Victorian-style homes of significance and
a fabulous brick hotel with 16 "theme" rooms,
The
Union Hotel.
The Union Hotel has also seen better days, but is now
nearly completely restored and rooms are for rent. (The beautiful
restaurant, sadly, has closed.)
The lobby of the Union Hotel is decorated in period
furnishings. We wandered around for thirty minutes and never saw a soul
- no workers, no guests - no one.
I thought it would be fun to see the hotel in black &
white.
Guess what, RVers? The Union Hotel has a 6-site RV park
out-back! DT inspected the campground and found a few folks who seem to be
living there permanently, but thinks even our monster bus could fit into the
little park. Also, the back of the hotel is not quite as appealing as the front
of the hotel. Whatever - you are right downtown
and next to the city park.
The city park has a very interesting "swimmin'
hole"! A little wooden dam has been constructed across the creek to
create a safe spot to cool off in the hot Oregon summer. Clever!
Union is a very cute little town and the Union Market
was the perfect spot to resupply the larder of the Magna Peregrinus.
There is a lot of stuff growing in all the mineral
lakes, ponds and streams in the area.
We arrived back to the bus late afternoon and I snapped
photos of the campground and soaked my feet in the RV Park hot tub.
Nice!
Needing a rest after two days of hard driving
Thursday and Friday, we opted to stay home tonight. DT grilled chicken and I made a salad.
Okay. I may have made a Buttermilk Blueberry Coffee
Cake. Not sure yet, as we have yet to taste my concoction. I had
buttermilk (from those lovely
Sweet Corn Pancakes) and I had
blueberries... so I came up with this little cake which I created in one
bowl using only a whisk. (Hey, I'm camping - cut me some
slack.) I hope it is delicious, as it was super-easy and would be great
in the RV or home kitchen. Verdict tomorrow.
Until my next update, I remain, your Union correspondent.
RV Park:
Eagles Hot Lake RV Park
65182 Hot Lake Lane
(Hwy 203 & Hot Lake Lane)
La Grande, OR 97850
541.963.5253
Situated on Highway 203 between Union & La Grande, Oregon, this nice park is a
good location to explore the area. 90 foot full-service gravel pull-throughs
with 30 & 50 amps, heated pool & spa (in season), store, laundry, bathhouse,
free wifi, pavilion, tent sites. Set in a meadow below a hill, this park is
nothing fancy, but has good facilities and is quiet (though there is an
occasional train about a half-mile away). Cell service.
We paid $27 per night with Good Sam discount.