Oregon is a state in the northwest corner of the United States just south of Washington State, west of Idaho and north of California and Nevada. Oregon has a wealth of natural attractions including nearly a dozen national forests and nearly 450 miles of Pacific coastline. Oregon is also home to some very unusual places to visit.
The Oregon Vortex is a circular patch of land in Gold Hill, Oregon, where the laws of nature and physics seem not to apply. American Indians referred to the site as "forbidden ground," but the Old Grey Eagle Mining Co. built their tool shed here anyway in 1904. The vortex is caused by a strong swirling magnetic force which results in magnetic anomalies such as copper pipes that fall in slow motion and optical illusions where height and direction change inexplicably. Animals avoid the area and the site has been studied by scientists for over 90 years. The House of Mystery is open daily March 1 -- Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. The cost of admission is $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for 62 and over, $7 for kids ages 6-11 and free for younger children.
Grant County was established in 1862 and the Grant County Museum provides visitors with a glimpse into that mid-century world and some of the oddities of the time. The museum has freak show-worthy exhibits like two-headed stuffed animals, the skulls of executed criminals, hideous wax mannequins, remnants of battles between Indians and white men, and countless items of interest, some more unusual than others. The museum is open May through September from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance fees are $4 for adults, $3.50 for age 62 and up and $2 for ages 7-17.
The Darlingtonia State Natural Site was created for the preservation of one type of plant. As the only state park in Oregon to be established for this purpose the site is an unusual one as is the plant it was made to protect. The Darlingtonia "Californica" or Cobra Lily is a rare carnivorous plant. It dines on unsuspecting insects who land within the long tube-like flowers to pollinate. The flower itself is designed as a trap which leads insects ever downward to the base where barbs fasten it to a puddle of bacteria which slowly digest it as food. There is free entry to the park.
You might not associate Oregon with volcanoes but the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in Deschutes National Forest may change your mind. This series of ancient caves and flows incorporates above- and below-ground sites including the mile-long Lava River Cave Trail. Unique formations inside the cave like Echo Hall, Two Tube Tunnel and the Sand Garden, provide perspective on the oddities that occur within lava flows. There is a $5 vehicle entrance fee. Lantern rentals are available at the cave entrance.
