Don't leave your butts behind!

En route to Pendleton Oregon, we passed the 49th parallel (midway  between the North Pole and the equator.) Shortly thereafter we neared Pendleton and ominous warning signs began announcing a 6% downgrade. Being a “flatlander” I wondered what that really meant… more signs announced weights of semis and their recommended top speeds (20 mph) more signs offered opportunities to turn around, change your mind (and if not, don’t say you haven’t been warned.)I stopped at one last scenic overlook before making what I was convinced might be my final 6% downgrade… knowing I had been warned 🙂

Happily taking in mountain pass vistas, listening to Joni Mitchell and moving right along, I pass “Love” gas station. I look down and see I have a 1/4 tank, perhaps I should have stopped? Hmmm no matter, there will be another exit soon. The sun passes thru the clouds, the wind begins to gust with gusto and a cold drizzle becomes the predominant theme. Blink goes the “get gas icon” and I begin seriously thinking about gas, Garmin tells me if I get off and go back and there will be gas within 2 mi. Guess again Garmin. 10 miles of ghost towns, (that used to have gas) rough roads and it’s dogged insistence on the presence of a Chevron (in an empty field) I started thinking that it’s no surprise that the name of the town is  “malheure” (doesn’t that mean “Bad hour”?) Thinking creatively about my options, I pull into “Ben’s truck repair” in hopes of  finding gas or a syphon (to suck the gas out of the bug.) Ben eyes me with a mixture of scrutiny and disbelief and offers to charge me 20 bucks an hour + 4.50 a gallon, to go get me some gas. I thank him but say it’s out of my price range & I’d be much obliged to borrow a hose. Taking pity on me, he enlisted his son to do “the dirty work” (while both wife and bookeeper shrieked like banshees about the bug.) In the end, Ben sold me 2 gallons he’d gleened from a mower, I  gave them souvenir postcards, and a tin of “Super Strong Manly Mints” to that sweet boy (to take the taste of gas out of his mouth.) He deserved it!

Arrived at Koa just outside Boise. It was after-hours and checking in was on the “honor system.” Instructions said to find a spot and put payment in envelope with slot number. I meandered thru a “city” of sites (224 of them- most booked and no tents set up) I was flagged down by an (off the clock) employee who was just a little too interested in finding me a spot (and telling me about the hot tub, and pool, asking about the friendliness of my dog, if I could sleep in my van, and…) after he led me to an open spot (a stones throw away from where he and his “supervisor” had been hanging out) I followed my gut and opted to go to motel 6. He was probably just being helpful but he and his “supervisor” gave me the creeps. Better safe than sorry 🙂

Went to club 61’s meeting at the “Twin dragon” and was welcomed by their close knit group of 20+ (all seemed astonished by my membership in a club that predates theirs.) Their club included a “joke of the day” but no “table tapping” (or bell ringing.) They encourage member activity by divvying members into teams and compete for points (by volunteering for roles and increasing membership.) It was an informative meeting (related to D day and being in the “service”) with speeches on making friends of strangers (while stationed far from home) an a monologue on Winston Churchill, very nicely done as well as an animated speech (by Fred) on the future of driving for blind individuals (such as he.) I received a glass bauble token as reward for a “Word gem” used in Table topics and have several great ideas to return to club 28 with!

On the advice of fellow camper, “Murphy” we checked out the Snake river overlook (where he and other brave individuals jump from the bridge with a parachutes!) From there we sought out another natural site of grandeur… Shoshone Falls. This was, by far HB’s favorite side adventure so far. We took a nice long walk around the volcanic canyon. We were sprayed by the mist from the falls, climbed rocks, delighted in younguns sliding down the misty grassy slope and encountered some interesting critters. HB got up close and personal to a “Rock Chuck” (yellow belly marmot) who promptly withdrew to the rocks with a sharp warning chirp!) On to Boise and other aventures next.

Stopped in Provo for tires. In front of the shop was a magnificent view of Mts. Could you ever get tired of that view? Yesterday now a blur of amazing landscapes -long stretches of rolling hills, mountain swells, winding mountain passes, meandering rivers (and train tracks beside.) Tiny mining towns like “Helpful” squalid patches of “container” apartments adjoining farms, cattle and sheep, long flat places and mighty gusty wind (and rain) Happy to make it to “Twin falls” where I opted for the luxury of a cabin. Bound for Boise (and beyond) today.

Hit the road listening to “Wait wait” (Paula Poundstone and Kevin Bacon!) an made it to/ through Canyonland. Stopped to take some photos then headed on through until I lost phone reception (and tire #3) Managed to get tools and spare liberated as well as 4/5 wheel bolts before I had to surrender, pray and grab a handful of white kleenex (to flag down a Samaritan) Had stopped in an awkward place so a couple dozen passerbys did just that. A kind fellow making his way cross country on his motorcycle finally came to my aide. Ken (originally from Georgia) said his mom always told him to stop for ladies in distress (Thank you Mom.) I rewarded him with souvenirs- “super strong manly mints” for being my hero, and “mints are a girls best friend” for his bride and hit the road again…

Jettisoned the bug at the Koa and headed back 8 mi to Mesa Verde state park. After the 5th or 6th switch back the contents of the van resembled 007’s favorite bevy (shaken not stirred) and HB had resumed her post in the passenger seat. Stopped at 1st overlook opportunity and took stock (and photos) and re secured the mess in the back. Another 15 mi. of switchbacks and breathtaking views, Deer and feral horses we reached the visitor center and the beautiful vista there. “Cliff house” was the 1st guided tour, amazing ruins, terrible guide. Was tempted to tell her about T.M. but held my tongue. 2nd tour of “Balcony house” was worth the price of admission. Our guide was tremendous repository of information, and was interesting to boot. We cheered on a small boy as he climbed a tall wooden ladder (strait up) and later lost 1 of our group when he had to turn back (he was too large to shimmy and crawl through the tunnel.) Could have spent a week in Mesa Verde, absolutely incredible!

Spent a restless night in my tiny tent on “main street.” The campground almost entirely gravel (and my tent set up on the way to the loo etc.) so I heared everyone as they crunched to and fro. Internet spotty so I gave up on film, waning batteries made reading impossible so I opted to sleep. I laid there thinking that before too long, I would warm up. I was too cold to get up and forage for the extra blanket in the van, too cold to move and tempted to invite HB to crawl in with me- Finally the rustling of the trees lulled me to sleep. I awakened to the pre-dawn chatter of the “locals” (beautiful yellow and black birds- Jutta would know) and found HB  like a little fur knot in her bed outside. The sun has now come up and the view is glorious. Now they are slate grey but for the 1st 1/2 hour the snow capped mountains were, decidedly purple. Next stop, Mesa Verde.

I hve made camp outside of Mesa Verde for the night. Dusk is upon us with swifts and mosquitos doing their air ballet all around. Passed thru some amazing countryside today in NW New Mexico and now Colorado. If Amarillo was hell for cattle, Colorado is heaven. Rolling, verdant hills, meandering streams of ice cold water and grasses and wild flowers galore. One breath taking vista after another. Ghost canyon, Chimney rock, Pagosa Springs (where I dipped my feet in the cold rushing river) No time to stop at springs but did visit an amazing gallery (mostly finely rustic furniture with inlaid wood and stone) and the animal rescue thrift (where I got HB a new dog dish.) Stopped at Mesa Verde but found I could not have bug in tow and HB only allowed in limited places. Will kennel her for a few hours tomorrow a.m. and leave the bug at campground and make it to the cliff dwellings for the 1st tour (before the tour busses) Will enjoy the cool air tonight and hit the ground running tomorrow a.m.