Yup. La Grande, Oregon. You are correct, the trip down I-84 isn't very long. I have a preferred route through Oregon that zig zags thru the state that hits some amazing roads and it is about a 440 mile day. Key towns are Shaniko, Fossil, Spray, Ruggs, Heppner and Ukiah. In fact, that is the trip I was on last year when I ran into your group in Fossil last summer.
Americas Best Hotel in La Grande has always been more than generous with leaving vehicles in their lot for a week at a time. PM me and I can give you more details of my route. Might be meeting up with some other VFRDs in Western Montana. (No details yet).