Sandy River Rambles: Sandy to Gresham Via Orient Drive on a Stormy Winter Evening
Sandy River Rambles: Sandy to Gresham Via Orient Drive on a Stormy Winter Evening or Seeking Shelter From the Storm and Finding Healing in a Sunset I lived in Portland more than 17 years before I discovered Orient Drive. I normally drove home from Mt. Hood on the road most often traveled -- Highway 26 from Sandy to Gresham, Oregon. The first time I traveled Orient Drive was on a stormy winter day. The drive and the storm inspired me in multiple ways. First, I found myself fascinated as I recognized bits of history along the road. Second, when I looked at my photos after the drive, I immediately saw two metaphors for very important aspects of healing: Keeping yourself safe in the storm and finding healing in a moment of beauty such as an awesome sunset. In 1846 during the days of the Oregon Trail, there was no Sandy and no Gresham. Perhaps a few scattered farmsteads occupied their place. The main road from The Dalles t...