Oregon Trail

Hi again from Jr. Before I start todays blog, I have to tell you something important I forgot last night. The grand nephew of Dr. Lung is now todays President of the AMA. Isn't that impressive?

We went on a walking tour of Baker City. Many beautiful old buildings, including the Hotel, as Jim pointed out to me. Jim seems to always have gotten somewhere before me. Took a few hours because of course my people have to stop to talk to everyone. They met a couple from one of the restored mansions. They had a beautiful garden, which they took care of themselves. He had recently built a replica Blacksmith shop in back of the house for his work shop. He did all the ironwork fencing around the house. I really admired it. Next he is going to build a buckboard. Don asked Donna to take a picture of their modern RV with the blacksmith shop in the background. So many of the old buildings are vacant and run down. We could see how they had been changed thru the years. It was almost painful to see the old buildings with a "modern" front added on. The contrast was amazingly ugly. Don checked out the Chevy dealership and the prices on the new trucks. One Suburban cost $73,000 and didn't even have a baathroom in it!. Don told me if he added together all three of the houses they bought, it wouldn't cost that much. We saw the old Telephone building. It is now a restaaurant and they use a switchboard as a reception desk.

;On to the National Oregon trail visitors center. First thing was a one hour movie telling about the traail from Missouri to Oregon City. We have Cmor, maps, ipads and service stations, and we still get lost. How did they possibly endure everything they went through? It makes me think of the poor men I see lined up at home, looking for jobs. What they left behind must have been pretty bad, or they really had big dreams.
Drove thru the little town of Elgin. Cute town.Then thru a beautiful canyon with river from Minam to Wallala.We drove aaround a lot of The Wallowa Mountains. One of the seven wonders of Oregon.

Have been compared to Switzerland. Not much snow right now but still wonderful to look at. Through Enterprise Oregon and on to stop at Joseph Canyon Viewpoint. Everywhere we go around
here, makes me feel so guilty about what white men did to the indians. We are going to Moscow, Idaho to bring flowers to two very special people. We decided to spend an extra day to see them.

Headed North. Into a winding canyon. Cmor and  I did not like it. It is very, very, twisty with sheer rock walls on one side and nothing on the other. Lots of signs about falling rocks. We don't care how much we love Russell, we are NEVER going this way again. If any of you eever hed up this way, stay away from Hwy !!! The canyon was 4000 miles long. At least it seemed like it. We are going home another way!!!!  Passed a town called Anatone, Pot 28, dogs 10. My kind of town. Good night to all
from Jr.

Sunday, Spent the night in Clarkston, Washington. Next morning right across the river into Idaho. Up the hill to Moscow and Church at the University. Very friendly people. We were a little early, and parked in front. Had lots of people come up to comment on Cmor and welcome us. After Mass we were invited to the coffee social and spent lots of time chatting. I think Don misses having only me and Donna to talk to. Then we drove around the University, remembering things from the last visit. The Kibbie Dome was still as big and white as the first time we saw that stadium.  Next on to the Moscow Cemetary to say hello and some prayers for Russ and Eileen. Left some flowers and told them their son was still as much trouble as always. The restt of today was pretty much spent driving through a lot of little old towns. Pomeroy, Waitsburg, Walla Walla , a few others and  then here to Pendleton. We have been in 3 states today. Got a good deal on tonights camp as you will see from the last picture. Should sleep well with all the security here. Hugs from Junior