As one of Nebraska's biggest cities, Omaha has its share of urban sprawl, but spend a little time in town and find museums, pleasant parks, plenty of places to tuck into for an Omaha steak and somewhat unexpectedly, an indoor rainforest.
The Grande Tour Route is a woodsy adventure through pine and fir forests along a portion of the Oregon Trail. Running through cherry orchards and mint fields at the base of the Wallowa Mountains, this drive gives a great taste of the woods and the west.
The Grande Tour Route starts at the visitor's center in downtown La Grande, 260 miles east from Portland. From La Grande, follow the signs to Birnie Park. The tour will leave the park and proceed south to the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Refuge overlook. After passing Hot Lake Resort, follow route 203 to Union and the end of the drive.
The scenery on the route is impressive as are the many different places to stop and enjoy the sylvan setting. There are many overlooks to view out over the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Refuge and the snow-capped Wallowa Mountains. Birnie Park is a nice place to stop and stretch the legs or rest. Pioneers on the Oregon Trail did the same long ago when the park was a common stop before the difficult climb over the Blue Mountains.
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