When the best-laid outing plans go awry, it pays to have a backup, an alternative destination, a fall-back scheme.

If you don’t, then it pays to be in Central Oregon.

Because there’s always somewhere to go and something to do here even if five minutes ago you were headed in the opposite direction.

Plans change. Trips are postponed. People get sick or, God forbid, have to go to work.

The key as I see it is, don’t shrug your shoulders, sink into your BarcaLounger and get lost in the latest edition of National Geographic Adventure.

Switching gears can be fun, serendipitous even. Or not. But remember, the worst day hiking or biking is almost always better than the best day with the 24-hour flu.

When I unexpectedly found myself with an open slot on the Outing calendar last week, I resisted the urge to remain in the newsroom, filing pithy briefs on community events and staring out at the glorious view from the second floor (besides, ham-fisted editors, no matter how dainty their hands really are, don’t look kindly on missed deadlines).

No, I bolted for the door and swung by the house to load up the bikes and pick up my teen-age son.

He tossed aside his dog-eared copy of Business Week and we were off.

We ended up in the Crooked River National Grasslands, two happy wanderers without a care or much of a clue.

We parked at Skull Hollow Campground, probably because it was familiar turf, and set off.

We pedaled up the 5710 Road past the 5720 Road on the left and a somnolent band of cows lolling by a water trough. The first two miles is uphill, with Gray Butte looming to the left and a rocky, juniper-clad hillside to the right. It’s the kind of spot most Westerners could appreciate but couldn’t explain why, while many an Eastern urbanite couldn’t and would have little trouble making his reasons known.

It can be hot, dry and dusty, with squat, brown sagebrush thingies as far as the eye can see. In a word, beautiful.

But this route is best done in the morning, in the evening or on one of those cool, overcast days we’ve been having lately. Whenever you do it, take lots of water. And watch out for horses; mountain bikes don’t spook, horses do. Easy does it.

Toward the top of the hill, there’s a sign for the Gray Butte Trailhead. Turn right and prepare yourself for the payoff, a refreshing downhill section, then a head-on look at Grizzly Mountain.

Along the way, we picnicked beneath a juniper, talked about coyotes and trout, planned a three-day weekend or two.

After 2 more miles (which you’ll cover twice as fast as the aforementioned uphill grunt), Lone Pine Road comes into view. Turn right and the road brings you back to the beginning, Skull Hollow Campground.

You can also drive this route, with a side trip to a historic fruit tree orchard across from the Gray Butte trailhead.

Or, if it’s a warm day, you might be inclined to cap off your ride with a quick visit to a local swimming hole (or forgo the ride all together and take the plunge). Haystack Reservoir is to the north on the edge of the Grasslands and Cline Falls State Park is out Highway 126 just east of Redmond. Both are good spots for a dip.

The key, as I see it is, roll with the punches.

For me, a sudden about-face put me face-to-face with a high school sophomore who, I keep discovering, doesn’t mind spending a few hours with his old man. The feeling, as I keep discovering, is mutual.

So weigh your options, but not too carefully.

Serendipity happens.