It is hard to find a true sense of freedom in today’s world, but the High Desert Drive put on by your own NWRFCA in combination with the BMWCCA of Oregon comes very close. For those of you who have experienced the Shaniko to Fossil run or the Fossil to Mitchell drive you know what I mean. For over a decade these roads have called to several members of the Ferrari Club and so in 2025 there will again be a High Desert Drive August Saturday and Sunday the 2nd and 3rd. During these two days you will not only drive four of the best sections of driving roads in Oregon, but you’ll also take part in a great little piece of central Oregon history, “Shaniko Days”. Literally a ranching ghost town come back to life with music, food and yes, a parade for those Ferraris that arrive prior to noon.

Saturday morning the group out of Portland will meet-up at Ron Tonkin Grand Turismo with NWR Regional Director Eric Wishan. RTGT will have some light snacks and a lot of great cars to see. Eric will have a driver’s meeting and hand out the tour booklets. Then the group will be off to Shaniko, for the festivities. A second group of cars out of Bend, will meet up with the Portland group just north of Maupin at the intersection of routes 216 and 197. Then together they will head on to Shaniko. After taking in the shops, food and some music the group heads off for Fossil, while passing thru Antelope. The 43 mile stretch of route 218 to Fossil is suspenseful.

Once we arrive in Fossil there are two options. One group goes north on route19 to Condon and then on to I-84 and back to Portland. The other group goes south on 19 to Service Creek, where we take a right on 207 going almost to Mitchell. Then to Prineville on route 26, all great driving roads with wonderful vistas. We stay at the Country Inn in Prineville with dinner at Madaline’s in Redmond, where they always serve very good food, of many varieties.

Sunday morning you can take about an hour drive to Brasada Ranch Resort for a home cooked brunch by Leona and Erik, by way of the Crooked Gorge or take a more direct 30-minute route. Their home overlooks the Cascade Range, with a horizontal view of close to 100 miles. After brunch the group heads back home. Again, there are a few very nice options. You can go directly over the Santiam Pass to Salem or Eugene. To Portland take Hwy 26 by Timberline, or for the most fun take the Santiam/McKenzie Pass Scenic Byway by the Dee Wright Observatory.

No matter which way you go home you will have enjoyed many sights, sounds and tastes over just two days.

Cost is $35 for a car and driver, or $55 for a car driver and passenger. This includes the tour booklet and the cost of the Sunday brunch.

It does not include the night at the Country Inn.