This Spot In Oregon Has A Friendly 'Face' For Visitors

The end is near for 2020. While it gets continues to have strange and unusual moments, maybe this can put a smile on your face.

If you happen to be passing through Polk County, Oregon, something may be watching you -- a giant smiley face on a forested hillside, according to Penn Live. Even though it's strange to visitors, it's actually an annual occurrence. The trees' needles change color when fall comes around.

The peppy image rests on timberland owned by Hampton Lumber. Company spokesperson Kristin Rasmussen told reporters the smiley face was created and planted back in 2011 by one of the company’s co-owners, David Hampton and Dennis Creel, who was a manager at the time.

“After every harvest, our foresters start planning the reforestation process,” she wrote. “They typically plant a variety of native species depending on the elevation and soil conditions, including Douglas fir, western hemlock, noble fir and western red cedar.”

The face is approximately 300 feet in diameter. The eyes and mouth were planted with Douglas fir, while the rest of the face is planted with larch. “Larch is a conifer with needles that turn yellow and drop off in the fall, which is why the smiley face is best visible this time of year," Rasmussen explained.

If you're in the area, you can view it near mile-marker 25 on Oregon Route 18 between the towns Grand Ronde and Willamina. The friendly face will be sticking around for the next 30 to 50 years until the lumber in the area is ready to be processed. Catch it while it lasts!

Photo: Getty Images