Cherry blossoms sway in the warm summer breeze, anticipating the sweltering heat that has yet to arrive while towering Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees tower above the valley's edges. The outdoors is calling and a trip to the mountains east of Salem is your reply.

The Cascade Mountain Range has long been heralded for its majesty and splendor. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark wrote extensively about the trees and wildlife as they passed through the rugged terrain in the early eighteenth century.

Nowadays it doesn't take a team of hardy explorers to travel through the Cascades but it does take a sense of adventure and a little gas for a family journey that won't soon be forgotten.

Whether traveling for the day, weekend or month, Highway 22 is the gateway to the Detroit Lake Recreation Area. The drive begins in the lush Willamette Valley where farmers are using combines, threshers and other farm equipment to harvest grass seed that is used around the world in parks, golf courses and even for Olympic turf in Beijing.

While it may be tempting to beat the crowds to the mountains, it is often a treat for young children when parents stop along the highway and watch as the large John Deere tractors work their magic on the pastoral farmland. A friendly wave may get a toot of the horn from one of the valley's homegrown farmers.

Past Stayton, Highway 22 begins to follow the gentle curves of the North Santiam River through Mehama, Lyons and Gates. At Highway 22 and Fern Ridge Road in Mehama, Gene's Meat Market is a popular stop for thick ropes of fresh beef sticks or jerky. This is also a good opportunity to stock up on steaks, chicken or pork that is ready to grill. The market is famous for its ranch steaks that marinate in a special sauce, sealed in vacuum packaging and ready for the barbecue.

Continuing along Highway 22, there are ample opportunities to picnic, fish for fresh high mountain lake trout, or camp. Minto Park between Mill City and Gates is a day-use area with easy access trails along the North Santiam River. Packsaddle Park east of Gates is another day-use area that is popular with fishermen and offers hiking and picnicking opportunities.

East of Packsaddle Park, Highway 22 begins to rise from the river toward Big Cliff Dam. Once you're past this concrete monolith, the highway meanders past many creeks and waterfalls that vary in size by season. With the coming of summer and snowmelts, many creeks and waterfalls that aren't noticed by August are full and rushing toward their eventual destination in the North Santiam River. There is often areas to pull over so don't pass up opportunities to take pictures of these seasonal wonders.

As Highway 22 continues its rise, the Cascade Mountain Range comes into view with Mount Jefferson casting its image upon the still blue waters of Detroit Lake. The contrast of snowcaps with the sun provides yet another opportunity to take postcard-perfect pictures you can share with friends in less mountainous portions of the nation.

Not to be passed by, the Detroit Dam is a thrill for young and old alike. While the Department of Homeland Security won't allow tours within the dam anymore, you can get a sense of vertigo while peering over the dam's edge at the cascade of water that pours into the North Santiam River.

For the recreation-minded, an ideal first stop in the Detroit Lake Recreation Area is the U.S. Forest Service Ranger Station about five miles past the Detroit Dam. The station is open every day from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except holidays, and offers not only maps for local hiking and biking trails and fishing and camping opportunities, but also a detailed history of the area's rich timber and mining history.

While it may be tempting to follow the road less traveled, a stop at the station can save time and headaches later. The harsh Oregon winter took its toll not only on the city of Detroit, but also many hiking trails, roads and camping areas. Some areas are still off-limits and rangers can tell you where they are and how to avoid a search-and-rescue.

There are many different opportunities for fun in the Detroit area. At the Mongold day-use area, boaters can get their watercraft in and out of the water on one of four boat ramps. This is the launching point for many water-skiers because of its distance from marinas and other facilities.

At Detroit Lake State Park, those looking for a weekend (or more) of fun and adventure can park RVs or put up tents. This campground is popular with many because of its easy access to a swimming beach, hiking trails and amenities such as showers and a convenience store.

Oregon State Park rangers and volunteers staff the park. Interpretive Ranger Jennifer Godfrey said visitors quickly fall in love with the Detroit Lake area and make it a point to return over and over.

"It's the amazing views of Mount Jefferson, the pristine lake and excellent fishing," she said. "People come up here to have a good time and learn about natural resources."

You don't have to be a camper to learn about the recreation area's flora and fauna. Every day, rangers at Detroit Lake State Park offer free guided hikes and lessons about the area's bugs, bats, fish, birds and other natural wonders. Many programs take place in the park's amphitheater, which creates an opportunity for children to sit down, have a snack and learn about nature from those who work in it.

The curious can learn more about the recreation area off the main highway by visiting the city of Detroit where the locals are quick with sage advice about the best fishing holes or hikes in the region.

There are several restaurants in the city including the Cedars Restaurant and Lounge, which offers meals for hearty appetites, accompanied by laughter at the many signs that hang in bathroom stalls and on the restaurant walls.

The Detroit Lake Motel also offers comfortable rooms for those who may not consider a tent floor a worthy place to lay your head. However, in November, the motel is scheduled for demolition, to be replaced with a new resort hotel, restaurant and conference center that is scheduled to open by late spring 2009.

Another good way to get off the highway is by boat. Detroit is home to two marinas that offer boat rentals throughout the summer and fall. At the Detroit Lake Marina, visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, motorboats or paddleboats.

"There is a lot of wildlife you can't see from the highway," said Callie Lunski, the marina's co-owner. "You can see eagles and ospreys and there are beautiful views of the Cascades and a couple of waterfalls you can't get to by car. It's a great way to see the lake if you've never gotten this perspective."

Whether for the day -- or longer -- a drive to the Detroit Lake Recreation Area is a chance to experience many of the things that make Oregon unique treasure in the Pacific Northwest. Just ask those who have made it a family tradition.

"We've been coming up here every year for 10 years," said Molalla resident Anna Barnett. "You can't ask for more. It's beautiful with the trees and the water. The kids can fish and swim. It's just a family-friendly place to hang out."