Meet Me on Highway 730
Boardman, Irrigon, Hermiston & Cold Springs
Some people may say its nonsense, but when I travel east and north, out of Oregon and into Washington/Idaho/Montana territory, I don't follow Interstate 84 to Oregon's border. Yes, it's faster. Yes, it has four lanes of really fast traffic, straight as a pin. But meet me instead on Highway 730 any time.
Irrigon: Highway 730 cuts an angle off I84 just past Boardman, veering away from Westland/Hermiston and heading directly for Umatilla. I've eaten the best nectarine of my life at a roadside fruit stand on this little twig of a highway. Reeds from the Columbia River push against the land, hiding all manner of bugs and birds and unseen wildlife. The little burg of Irrigon (population 1,910) sits midway between the start of Highway 730 and its intersection with the mighty Interstate 82, which takes travelers due north, out of Oregon and into southeastern Washington. In this little hot spot you'll find a park by the river, a marina, wildlife area, heritage trail and a few places for coffee and eats. Don't blink, though, or wait to find a stoplight. You'll miss it. Read more here.
Photo credit: Dustan Maret/City of Irrigon
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This top-notch local rodeo started in 1988 and continues to host the best in professional rodeo action, as cowboys compete for points to take them to the biggest rodeo of all, the National Finals Rodeo, held each year in December in Las Vegas.
