Hey, them's my ol' stompin' grounds! Traveled over the mountains through Santiam Pass to the dry side many times using the 22. You'll be turning off before it gets really scenic though. OCI (Oregon Correctional Institute) is at the foot of the climb into the mountains.

If you have the time in the area, visit Silver Falls. You turn off the 22 a bit farther up the road and then follow the signs to Silver Falls Park. Great spot. 20+ falls on a three mile trail- you'll even walk behind one falls. It can get hot up there too but it will be cooler than it is in the Valley proper.

Back on the 22 head on east over the mountains, instead of turning back to Salem. Through Detroit, Mill City and Gates. At Gates is a restaurant that has exotic fowl fenced in a paddock that is attached to the restaurant. You can watch them go about their business up close and personal.

Farther up the mountains is one of my favorite spots- Sisters. (As in Three Sisters, three mountain peaks in the distance) They've turned Sisters back into a vintage town. Nearby is a smaller town (Fort something?) where you can wade across the wet green grass that is the beginning of the Metolious River. The water seeps out from underneath an abrupt rocky hillock.

Thanks for helping me roam around!