THE ALVORD DESERT | Oregon Documentary | The Emptiest Place in Oregon Explored

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
  • Presenting Louis & Keegan Adventure #2: The Alvord Desert
    In this adventure, Keegan Van Hook and Louis Bengtson embark on a scenic wander of Eastern Oregon's Alvord Desert-- the barest land in all of Eastern Oregon. Along the way we learn about the desert's natural environment as well as its human history. Join us!
    This is the second installment of Louis & Keegan Adventures, following our first film "The Cornucopia Project," which came out last year.
    • THE CORNUCOPIA PROJECT...
    Support for this content is provided by generous donations from viewers like you.
    / sailorboyproductions

ความคิดเห็น • 82

  • @Adpalodichuk
    @Adpalodichuk 4 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    This is great. Was searching for good Oregon videos and this is a diamond in the rough of silly generic travel vids. Thanks dudes!!

  • @rubes8065
    @rubes8065 2 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    This is F@#$#ing wonderful. You can’t ever stop making videos.

  • @DillonConor
    @DillonConor 4 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Clicked in to take a dip, ended up taking a 28-minute bath. Really good work guys, love the mood and the info segments. Subscribed.

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks for tuning in. We really appreciate your support.

  • @chrisackerley1842
    @chrisackerley1842 4 ปีที่แล้ว +45

    On December 26, 1991, I camped at the hot spring located on the SW side of the Alvord Desert. The hot spring wasn't yet infested with hippies. It was a bitterly cold, absolutely silent place. I turned on the shortwave radio, only to discover the Soviet Union had fallen. I had the strangest feeling about how meaningless one human life can be in the vastness of time.

    • @chrisackerley1842
      @chrisackerley1842 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Just teasin' about the hot spring bein' infested with hippies! Them boys appear to be genuine, bona fide entrprenoors, and them hippie girls in the hot tubs without their bikini tops are a puredee sight for these ol' eyes to see!

    • @robinhawkins335
      @robinhawkins335 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@chrisackerley1842 It is a belittling part of the world. Empty but full of game beautiful and frightening. Is there really a bunch of hippies and their entitled stupidity at the hot springs.

    • @Alniemi
      @Alniemi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow what a story, that is an experience that sticks a life time, thanks for sharing!

    • @gwengwen4535
      @gwengwen4535 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@chrisackerley1842Love it, I bet we could have a cold one and share some awesome stories sir!!

  • @PrinceCity007
    @PrinceCity007 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Awesome video. Couldn't ask for anything better 👍👍

  • @TheSynisterMinister
    @TheSynisterMinister ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I grew up in Saint Helens Oregon, about an hour (38 miles) west of Portland. I have always wanted to visit the Alvord Desert! I cant wait to! I hope you guys can make it up to Portland and make some videos!

    • @PacificAirwave144
      @PacificAirwave144 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Do it! This Summer or Fall--just do it! There's a nice B&B in Frenchglen...and motels along the way. Amazing country! Tarp, pad, sleeping-bag...and stars and quiet you wouldn't believe!

  • @smartflightweddings9911
    @smartflightweddings9911 4 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    I could watch your documentary style for days. Amazing stuff. Going to check out more of your videos!

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      SmartFlight Weddings thank you for watching! I’m really glad you enjoyed it so much.

  • @PacificAirwave144
    @PacificAirwave144 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Dad told me several times how when we got to the top of the Steen's Mountains (~1970) and I got out of the car. The stars were so bright it scared me and I started crying. We did a few more trips out there over the years. Intensely beautiful country! Great video!

  • @voicezful
    @voicezful 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Having discovered earlier today Oregon is not all trees, I came across your documentary. This is superb and highly informatative
    viewing....also the music mix should be made available for purchase...Incidentally keegan is some shots looks very much like the
    actor David Patrick Kelly who was in the 1979 movie 'The Warriors'.

    • @ArtByKarenEHaley
      @ArtByKarenEHaley 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      How funny! I thought the same thing, that he looked like a Warriors character.

    • @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz
      @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Most of Oregon is not trees. That is the coastal mountains where Oregon got its reputation of being covered with trees. Most of Oregon is a high, dry desert, as is Northern California and Nevada

  • @debrosen3202
    @debrosen3202 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You guys are cool. Loved your sense of humor and dorkiness!

  • @MattCookOregon
    @MattCookOregon 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Very nice! Love the variety, presentation, info.

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Thanks man! I’ve watched a number of your videos as well, I love em. I hope we can all get back to exploring the state this summer. We had plans to shoot a new film in June but now, who knows.

    • @MattCookOregon
      @MattCookOregon 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@UsAsWeAre Very nice you got some style. Someone mentioned Wes Anderson, a hero of mine, I see that too. Times are tough! I have one more video left to edit from an eastern Oregon trip. This place actually, that is what brought me to this video, looking for inspiration.

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Oh nice, can’t wait to see it.

  • @jeffisphree
    @jeffisphree 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I really liked this. Nice work.

  • @bennymwelch
    @bennymwelch 4 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Eastern Oregon is full of so many hidden gems like this. I only live 4 hours from Steens and the Alvord Desert in North East Oregon so a trip down south is definitely in order. Great video, you got me sold.

    • @hazrsn7985
      @hazrsn7985 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I don't understand if it's a true desert or not?
      The place doesn't seem that dry.

    • @bennymwelch
      @bennymwelch 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@hazrsn7985 I don't know much about earth science but if I'm not mistaken I think a desert is pretty much just an area that receives no more than 10 inches of rainfall per year, which the Alvord Desert only receives about 7 inches per year. It seems pretty dry, especially since the ground is cracking and everything. It's also the driest spot in all of Oregon, which much of Eastern Oregon where it's located is considered a desert.

  • @CoIoneIPanic
    @CoIoneIPanic 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    im proud of you guys for doing this, dad. Go Beavs!

  • @leslee625
    @leslee625 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really interesting and i really enjoyed Keegan & Louis!

  • @desertflinger11
    @desertflinger11 2 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I was camped a few years ago in the middle of the Alvord and shot an arrow in the air too. It was at night with a glow stick attached to it. In the morning I went out to retrieve it and laying a foot from my arrow was a stone arrowhead. I often wondered if an Indian had done the same with his bow years ago.....

  • @confusedowl297
    @confusedowl297 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Cool documentary!

  • @SteveHansen-m4x
    @SteveHansen-m4x ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant.

  • @elnidofan
    @elnidofan 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Thanks for the educational part of this video I earned something new today. The closest place that looks very similar to this place is the Black Rock in Gerlach and starting to get busy due to the Burning man.

  • @OMGitsmercer
    @OMGitsmercer ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video, I love the style.

  • @michaelroche1987
    @michaelroche1987 ปีที่แล้ว

    Loved it

  • @sydneycook793
    @sydneycook793 4 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Really interesting how in all that vastness, there’s only ONE bird. That’s right ladies and gentlemen...ONE BIRD. you know why there’s only one bird? Because the GOVERNMENT DOESNT NEED DRONES THERE.
    That said, you guys do a really great job capturing the energy of the desert. My boyfriend and I went on vacation once and we had a great time.

  • @austintrenkamp8205
    @austintrenkamp8205 ปีที่แล้ว

    Crazy beautiful 👍 great video 🙏

    • @austintrenkamp8205
      @austintrenkamp8205 ปีที่แล้ว

      Seriously top five videos I've seen on TH-cam!

  • @Adorablebrownmanplaysbass
    @Adorablebrownmanplaysbass ปีที่แล้ว

    I remember seeing this close to when it initially came out, now i'm living in Idaho temporarily so i'm hoping we hit up this spot shortly.

  • @austinm8242
    @austinm8242 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nicely done

  • @Tipi_Dan
    @Tipi_Dan 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I first visited in 1979, and several times subsequently. We were told the pools and shelter were constructed illegally by a group from OSU. The changing room appears to have fallen down and what was all that development on the way in? No fees then either. Out on the desert itself we visited a borax lake that was a murky blue cone disappearing into hazy depths. No one wanted to go in, but I did. It was a little creepy in there. There is a smaller mystery pool at Ruby Hotsprings in Nevada. I looked for the borax lake on Google Earth but was unable to find it. It was on the old USGS topo maps. Is it still there?.

  • @aaronaaron6424
    @aaronaaron6424 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    You feel lost driving down gravel roads, then you come over a hill and catch a glimpse and the second hill boom you see the big flat. On the flat even driving at 70 or 80 the other side draws close slowly. I was there in the 90's , went there with a buddy to look for geodes and what not but a storm came in with high winds and we split. Some minor caves got explored on the hill but that was it.

  • @zingo_man
    @zingo_man 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fine work

  • @papsphin
    @papsphin 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I would recommend background music/voice over for all your shots. It keeps my ears stimulated personally. Remember, HALF of a film is audio!
    Good luck making more!

    • @Alniemi
      @Alniemi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      having been there 4 times i definately see why they left out music, its the most unbelievably quiet place ever, its hard to even describe

    • @b.s.adventures9421
      @b.s.adventures9421 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      The silence out there is why I feel they left very little sound.
      It’s fitting.

  • @SqueakyWheelMakesNoise
    @SqueakyWheelMakesNoise ปีที่แล้ว

    That part of oregon is interesting. I still wish someone could do a documentary of Freemont national forest about the plants and animals that is in that area of oregon. To actually get video of whatever animal or plants that is there. Even the insects. What kind is there? Any insects or animals that are a mix between desert and forest creatures? Seems like a unique area with little information about it.

  • @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz
    @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I have spent many months exploring the Steens as well as Foster Flat, Jackass and some of the Alvord. I was looking forward to the video until the avocado burger was exposed without meat! That was it, I shut it down!

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Rightfully so. We deeply apologize for our crimes against food.

    • @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz
      @GeorgeGeorge-yb2sz 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There used to be fish in Mann Lake that tasted much like the local vegetation, you might try one of them on a bun! (TIC)@@UsAsWeAre

  • @martinjdesmond
    @martinjdesmond 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice job

  • @mothertisfast
    @mothertisfast 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    nice hats guys!

  • @ashqelon7267
    @ashqelon7267 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Trying to get a sense of the size of the area that was used to the rocket car speed test last year. About how many miles Long was the stretch was used would you know it?
    3-4 miles maybe?

    • @connorkelly182
      @connorkelly182 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Ash qelon 14 miles wide and 7 across. We camp there every year to ride motorcycles.

  • @alberttu8120
    @alberttu8120 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very science museum feel to it

  • @kinshin15
    @kinshin15 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Yo this good

  • @b.s.adventures9421
    @b.s.adventures9421 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    The north end of the playa tends to stay wetter.
    I believe it’s because of the prevailing winds.

  • @algrand90
    @algrand90 4 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    I'm shocked by the fact that there's a desert in Oregon!

    • @jimk8520
      @jimk8520 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      A rather large percentage of the state is arid.

    • @mrblaxto
      @mrblaxto 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Actually considered a desert state

  • @stevewallbanger5408
    @stevewallbanger5408 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good.. Great!

  • @20DYNAMITE06
    @20DYNAMITE06 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    It's as if Wes Anderson and Ken Burns had a baby.

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Wow, I think that’s the best compliment I could ever be given. Thank you!

  • @avatarcowboy2435
    @avatarcowboy2435 7 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Emptiest Place in Oregon!!!! it is now 2024 and even 4 years ago it was anything but empty. TH-cam videos and other media have made it known world wide. I fear this once pristine area will be forever ruined by the increasing use. Use to travel the length of highway 205 without seeing another vehicle. Not now.
    Also we stopped at Fields on our way through there recently. Been having a hamburger and malt there since it was a tiny store with sparsely stocked shelves and a grill at one end. Décor has gone upscale. Meal quality down, and the price for hamburgers, fries, and malts for two plus a tip which was actually for, was way up - $50. Service was no where near what it was before becoming known world wide. Last time for us.

  • @johnchedsey1306
    @johnchedsey1306 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Nice one! I've contemplating taking my camera there in the near future because it seems quite removed from the pandemic and super easy to social distance from EVERYTHING.

    • @northwexpress
      @northwexpress 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      You would probably be safe if you're wearing your mask.

    • @FYMASMD
      @FYMASMD 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@northwexpressgo smoke a dick!!

  • @mothertisfast
    @mothertisfast 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    i need a date of travel please

  • @mrr3358
    @mrr3358 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    The natives would Harass the traveling settlers???? Logic alone would suggest you reconsider the words... We should all be considerate of the truth and perpetuate non truths.

    • @UsAsWeAre
      @UsAsWeAre  4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Mr R I hear you, but in my defense, I want to point out that in the previous sentence I say that the tension was caused by white settlers encroaching on the land. The natives did not make the first aggression.

  • @nickidaisydandelion4044
    @nickidaisydandelion4044 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Why are you shooting with bow and arrow? Don't shoot animals.

  • @theoriginal668
    @theoriginal668 ปีที่แล้ว

    Never new Oregon had a desert

    • @03PaK
      @03PaK 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Half of it is high desert

  • @akeridae
    @akeridae 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Where exactly did you camp? That looked nice and protected from the wind

    • @Alniemi
      @Alniemi 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Just about the whole east side has formations like this, tghere is miles na dmiles of it, good luck!

  • @deathstr1ker6666
    @deathstr1ker6666 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Why do hipsters insist on calling dry lakes "playas"?

    • @robinhawkins335
      @robinhawkins335 4 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Why do hipsters have a recurve bow instead of a compound. They should run steam engines in their soobroos whatever it takes to increase their d.b. status.

    • @anntares172
      @anntares172 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Because the technical geological term is playa.

    • @mrblaxto
      @mrblaxto 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Why do you want to assist on calling yourself death striker 6666?

    • @deathstr1ker6666
      @deathstr1ker6666 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      @@mrblaxto I don't, I call myself deathstr1ker6666.