Along the Oregon Trail

The mountains in the east are dry and barren, and such a contrast to the green, fir covered mountains of the Columbia River Gorge and the valleys of western Oregon.  Beautiful in their starkness, they never cease to amaze me.  

We stopped for a picnic lunch along the old Oregon Trail, "the pathway to the garden of the world", as one emigrant from Missouri proclaimed.  They suffered terrible hardships, especially in this area, where the terrain was difficult and the land barren and dry.  One in ten died on their voyage, but those who made it  were rewarded with the fertile land of western Oregon. All that rain and volcanic soil makes it not only green, but the the leading producer of berries, hazelnuts, pears, apples, clover, potted azaleas, and Christmas trees, to name a few!  

hmmm....with the car, we seem to be as long as the 18 wheeler!

That's a BIG window!!!

We gas up at truck stops now with the diesel, and they are so much easier to maneuver with the big rig!  Easy in and out all the time......even though the truckers seem to not want to meet my eye! 

Today I waved to a lady truck driver pulling out, and yesterday we encountered what must have been a husband and wife team, and she was pulling out of the station.  Go girls!!  

Dinner in again tonight.....meatloaf I had cooked and frozen with a baked potato and veggies.  Hit the spot!  Clem got the silverware and drinks!!  

Mountain Home RV Park, Idaho. Really nice park, but come in and leave SLOW!!  

                                               

We took a nice walk before dinner after pulling in to a very nice park in Mountain Home, Idaho, and chatted with the folks working at the office.  They are "work campers" who are spending 6 months working here in exchange for their stay.  I am not sure if they receive some sort of pay in addition, but we have encountered several couples on our travels doing the same.  They are "full timers, and  sometimes work in national or state parks, or in private camps like this one.  The woman said she was just sick and tired of housework, and they decided to sell the house and minimize their belongings.  You would certainly have to do that!  We are moving things to Florida, plus packed for a month on the road, and we are loaded!!  I can't imagine!  Not exactly a walk in closet here, either!