![]() ![]() He also began quietly amassing what has become the largest private collection of country music memorabilia-more than 20,000 items ranging from Johnny Cash’s first black suit and song lyrics handwritten by Hank Williams to the boots Patsy Cline was wearing when she lost her life. And as his own career progressed, he became both a passionate historian and an ambassador for this uniquely American art form. From his youngest days, he had been an avid student in the school of country music, soaking in the sounds and styles of the genre’s greats. In 1992, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.įans found his distinctive mix of traditional country, honky-tonk and rockabilly refreshing, but to Stuart, this form of playing from the heart was simply a way to honor country’s roots. His collaborations with longtime friend and fellow country star Travis Tritt, including “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin” and “This One’s Gonna Hurt You,” further solidified Stuart’s place in music history. First there was “Arlene,” then “Hillbilly Rock,” “Tempted,” and a string of other hits. That would lead to a stint as a guitarist with Johnny Cash’s back-up band, and before long Stuart’s own songs were topping the radio charts. Stuart’s self-taught skill on the mandolin soon attracted the attention of bluegrass legend Lester Flatt, and in 1972-when Stuart was just 13 years old-he began performing and traveling with Flatt’s band. “I took a particular pride in representing that kind of music.” “Back at that time, the British Invasion was ruling the world, but I loved country music,” he says. Hit the stick of the lollipop, still cruising slightly downhill, and take in the big views of the Columbia River Gorge.Before he was in double digits, Stuart started his first band, playing at the local Lion’s Club and Rotary Club and staying true to the one genre that had captured his heart. We like to call this the “Enchanted Forest.” After busting out of the forest, look for the Hillbilly Weather station on your left while climbing a small rise.įrom here, you will soon be rolling downhill for over 2000 feet of loss, first on gravel and then pavement. After the intermediate pavement section you may pick up a bit of washboard, but a clean line can be found.Īt mile 31, you roll through a heavily canopied forest section that is fast and fun. Near the end of the 2300 ft climb, at ~ mile 20, the views start to open up and you start to catch the first bit of rollers … with the first bits of downhill thrown in. We really enjoyed this section of route as it provided a cool respite from the summer sun. Several miles later the forest landscape transitions to pines such as the Jeffrey Pine, Long Needle Pine, Monterey Pine, Ponderosa Pine, Bill Pine and Gray Pine. Fisher Hill road climbs for another 1200 feet, but over 6.5 miles.Īt ~ mile 15 you come through a unique and beautiful section of Oregon White Oak. When you turn inland from the switchbacks, the road straightens out and you start enjoying rolling farmlands and cattle country with some active forest logging areas thrown in. After this, you continue to climb for another 1200 feet, but much more gradually and in a stair step fashion. The grade is a consistent 4 to 6% for 1100 feet. ![]() Then you switchback (4) your way up Fisher Hill with views getting better and better as you climb. This gravel path meanders next to the Klickitat River for 1.5 miles. Hop on the highway for a super short section (ick!) and then find the start of the Klickitat Trail (yeah!). At the T at the end of stick of the lollipop, take a right and blast down to the river. ![]() Oddly, while you are above the highway and the trains, you really don’t hear or see either.Īfter your diversion, continue up Old Highway 8, past vineyards. It’s well worth buzzing through the bike path (we didn’t see no bike signs) to get an even better view of Columbia. The rock formations are crazy fun … and the views of the Columbia River Gorge are outrageous.Īt mile 2.7, on the right, you will see a small turn out which is the Catherine Creek trailhead. You dodge rocks on the road turned to trail and then in a little over a mile, turn onto the section Old Highway 8 that can still handle cars. The ride starts on the Old Highway 8 trail, it is more of a paved hiking / biking trail than an actual road. ![]()
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