We first found Grass Valley on the way to Sherar's Bridge to put our rafts in the Deschutes river for a trip down to the Columbia. Rolling farm land surrounds the town as far as one can see in every direction. Highway 197 rips right through down town and most travelers never stop. The highway department has rebuilt the downtown section with sidewalks, undergound utilities, and bike lanes so at least the road looks nice. The population sign tells it all: 160 residents and although the numerals can be changed nothing has happed in a long time.