An epic road trip to find the treasures of Southeast Oregon

There’s a lot to love about the southeast corner of Oregon – if you’re willing to drive. On this week’s episode of Peak Northwest, we follow Vickie Connor, a visual journalist for The Oregonian/OregonLive, as she explores this far-flung region of the state. While her trip was short, Connor discovered a ton of southeast Oregon’s greatest treasures, from a towering fire lookout to hidden desert hot springs, and even spied some of the region’s famously reclusive wildlife. It’s hard to get enough of this part of Oregon, where dark skies give access to some seriously starry nights, and natural beauty seems to pop up out of nowhere. Here are some highlights from this week’s show: Why the Drake Peak Fire Lookout was stunningly beautiful – and a little creepy. No, it’s not an oasis: these roadside milkshakes are worth a stop. What to do in the Alvord Desert, one of Oregon’s most spectacular landscapes. Soaking at the Alvord Hot Springs is all about timing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices