Long travel day today. But those are interesting too. Nick likes to drive so that gives me an opportunity to embroider, snooze, write, read, watch the schemers. We’re going from Fort Klamouth OR to Twin Falls, Idaho. It is about an 11 hour driving day. We got the car packed last night except for suitcases and ice chest. We’re on the road by 7:30.
We start the day with flat land, pines and mountains in the distance. Some of them are snow-capped. One of them cradles Crater Lakew. the town are small with a smattering of old style motes, little wooden cabins and small struggling Clare’s. no chains of any sort. Then a Starbucks sign???? Nick exits for the anticipated coffee fix. We come across a hole resort and planned community. It just doesn’t fit with what we’ve been driving through. Someone is an incredible marketer. There are massage, nail spas, upscale restaurants. Even a virtual reality room. A realty office has a prominent location next to Starbucks. A sign bragging that there is 100% ownership of bicycles. Well, that’s better than Kennesaw with an ordinance that all residents own guns. After a coffee fix, we’re on our way again.
The topography starts changing quickly. We’re now entering the high desert. The resort is starting to make more sense. I didn’t know there we high desert in Oregon. In the next several hours, it gets more and more desolate. At first there are small pine trees which become sparse and give way to sage as far as the eye can see. Hmmm. We really should have gotten gas back ty the Starbucks.
A sign says there are 2 towns that are within our gas supply. We get to the first, Two Brothers. We didn’t realize how literal the name was. No gas here or much of anything else. Still another chance for gas in Hamilton. There is a gas pump! But wait, looks suspiciously abandoned. We go in the cafe/grocery next door. Seems like a movie set. definitely the local social hub. A side room with a couple of men playing cards. Two women taking food orders behind the counter. A small wire shelf contains a variety of canned foods for sale. At least if you have a can opener, you won’t starve. Boxes of Mac and chees, cheetos, cam bells soup, dish detergent.
The gas pump attendant had left to go to the nearest town which is 40 miles away. One of the cooks is covering. When the cooking is under control, she runs out to put a couple of gallons in our tank before her food required attention≥. Whew! Forty miles and we get to the “real” station. This metropolis has a post office and gas station that sells hunting supplies and junk food.
Gradually we see a bit more life. An occasional farm house and irrigated fields. The town of Burns actually has a real downtown complete with a library. We eat at “Burns Best Drive-in Diner”. I think it is the only Drive-In Diner but who’s paying attention. It was actually pretty good.
Just before entering Idaho, we connect up with I—84. Goodness. All this traffic! We have 180 degree horizon and can easily spot “scattered showers.” There are a few hills in the distance and they seem to be congregating in that area.
We have reservations in Buhl which is outside of Twin Falls. It’s a bit further off the interstate than we thought but gives us a look at rural Idaho life in the area. It was part of the Oregon Trail. Our motel is a 60’s style place complete with wagon wheel decoration. It’s clean, comfortable and friendly. Everything we need for tonight. It’s Saturday night and we venture out to a brew pub. For a Saturday night it’s pretty dead! But they have some good beer - a chocolate cherry porter is my choice. That and some good meaty wings.
Tomorrow we will be at Grand Tetons National Park. We probably won’t have any internet so this may be the last post for a few days.
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