Eastern Oregon Desert: Worst Drive in America?

I typically don't dedicate an entire blog post to a few hours of a drive, but I think it's worth noting for those of you heading west through the eastern and central deserts of Oregon that you may need to prepare yourself mentally for the desolation, wind, and utter nothingness you will pass through.

Don't get me wrong, some of my favorite drives in America balance the line between excitement and fear, freedom and isolation. Countless desert backroads and lost highways in Utah, Colorado, and Arizona feature the escapism only present in the sands of time--pioneer trails past hoodoos, and spires, and arches. But in that great vastness, a sort of inner sanctuary is created as one is able to see the great beyond--long views towards snow-capped mountains and grand mesas. Red rock and dirt somehow shine in the desert heat.

Oregon’s John Day on HW 26 or Burns on HW 20 to the south provide little relief to the giant volcanic emptiness that sharpens as you begrudgingly fight through headwinds. The desert here is rocky and rolling without any great splendor to peel your eyes away from the scattering dirt and vastness. I've driven these highways on two occasions, both while pulling the Kodiak. I don't wish this drive on anyone...but sometimes you just have to go, in order to get gone. Oregon.