Stanley, ID

This place had the best huckleberry milkshakes. The dog is asleep, not dead. And he did not move once while I was taking his picture.

Challis Lanes, Challis ID

Historic St. Mary's Mission -- Stevensville, MT

Random Pictures from the Trip

All of these were taken somewhere in Oregon

Ice Cave Ranch

And some apparently abandoned property has its own story. I ran across this fascinating development on I-93 in Idaho. This is Dugout Dick's Ice Cave Ranch (not to be confused with the Shoshone Ice Caves). For a while, Dugout Dick, who built these homes into the side of a mountain, rented them out for $5 a night. Reportedly, Dugout Dick, who is 92 years old, has been institutionalized, and the hillside homes are no longer for rent. Many in the community apparently consider these to be an eyesore, and I can't say I blame them, but it really is something to see.

Abandoned Property

One thing you see a lot of if you take a road trip through California, Oregon and Idaho (and probably other places as well) is apparently abandoned property. There are deserted and broken down houses everywhere. It's so curious to me -- who up and leaves their property to rot? Living in an area and a socioeconomic category where owning a house is so deeply valued (even when it makes no sense), it's amazing to see a house abandoned, falling down from years of neglect. There must be some deep psychological meaning behind my attraction to abandoned property, but it really fascinates me.

Back in Oakland

I am (mostly) happily back in Oakland. It was a great trip, and I'm not looking forward to going back to work, but I am happy to be back in my own space.

We interrupt this blog for a very important message . . .

I got caught in a bona fide snow storm! Oh, Route Weather how you failed me! I turned on my computer this morning to check the weather along the route, and other than one spot of rain, Route Weather promised a sunny ride. Now, they were right about the rain, but they failed to mention the snow storm before the rain. Luckily, I survived the trip by following very slowly behind a semi. I persevered instead of stopping because I didn't know if the snow would stop, but I did know that eventually the freeway elevation would descend, and the snow would disappear. And it did. Now, I am happy and warm in my hotel room in Portland and grateful for rain.

One Last Post from Montana

Barbara's babies

Scooter and Harley

Walker

Stevensville, MT

I fell down on both taking pictures and updating the blog since I've been in Montana. Right now, I'm blogging while watching Superbad on DVD. Since I've been here, I spent a ridiculous amount of money (tax free!), sang karaoke in what I'm told is a typical Stevensville bar, and ate T-bone steak in a ghost town. Tomorrow I'm off to Boise, ID.

Stevensville, MT: Chez Barbara

Barbara's back yard

Montana 2008 (Day 4): On the Way to Stevensville

Columbia Gorge area in Oregon

Montana 2008 (Day 3): Oregon Wild Life Refuges

I spend another day getting kind of lost checking out wild life refuges. I see some beautiful countryside on the way and stay the night in a quirky hotel in Hood River.

Montana 2008 (Day 2): Dundee, Oregon

After a day of getting lost, I was happy to arrive at the Black Walnut Inn. I was given the option of switching to a room in the main building (The Classic) even though I'd chosen one in a separate building. Given the weather (rain), I chose to stay in the main building. The room was gorgeous, and I had an amazing view of the valley. They also made a dinner reservation for me at Tina's, a little restaurant on Highway 99, where I had the best souffle (and possibly one of the best dishes) I have ever had.

Montana 2008 (Day 2): Logging in Oregon

I left Ashland and ended up driving around in circles looking for the Cow Creek Tour Route. I finally found it after I stopped at a little gas station and asked for directions. Towards the end I ran across this logging operation in the middle of a gorgeous valley. I haven't given any thought to logging, although I remember issues around logging being a big deal when I was younger. Interesting how environmental issues change from year to year, decade to decade.

Monana 2008 (Day 1): Winchester Inn

I stayed the first night in Ashland, Oregon at a lovely bed & breakfast called The Winchester Inn. They upgraded me to a suite, and it was amazing. They even had candles by the bathtub and a wooden ducky (at least I think it was wood). I have no complaints (and if you know me, you know that's saying something).

Montana 2008 (Day 1): Sacramento National Wildlife Preserve

I love Wildlife Preserves. They are always so beautiful, and I'm usually surprised by the animal life I see there. The Sacramento National Wildlife Preserve was lovely, but I didn't see much in the way of wildlife. I did see these crazy jackrabbits who barely moved as I drove down the road (although I am driving a Prius, which can be pretty quiet at low speeds) and would run towards the car before running off the road.

Montana 2008 (Day 1): Bakesale Betty's

Despite my late start, I made my first stop about 15 minutes after I started -- at Bakesale Betty's. Seemed like a special trip deserved a special treat, and Bakesale Betty's fits the bill. I had the apricot almond scone (yum!) and bought two chocolate chip walnut cookies for the road. And they gave me a free ginger cookie. I am off to a fine start!

And we're off . . .

I woke up this morning (after an unfortunately late night) with a headache and an upset stomach. Luckily, two Excedrin Migraine tablets, some Tums, and an allergy pill later, and I'm feeling normal again. I'm leaving much later than I intended, both because I tried (tried being the operative word) to sleep in a little, and because I tried (there's that word again) to download some software onto my laptop so I can edit photos on the trip. In any event, I'm finally ready to hit the road!