Oregon Trailings
Notes and photos from nearly two weeks on the road.
Day Four—Craters of the Moon
After some disappointments (and rough road), we adjusted the plan to stay at Craters of the Moon National Monument, which was wise. We did some hiking and saw some of the strangest landscape the US has to offer.
8.45a leave campsite in search of showers. much needed showers.
213485mi
no luck w/ showers in the park. everything’s shut down for the season.
Stopped @ a construction delay about 15min. talked to the stop guy. apparently the pine beetle has decimated large swatches of CO, WY, MT & ID and it’s in Alaska now. the more you know.
12p took ridiculous horse trail that claimed to be a road but am now in Idaho.
change of plans. Staying @ Crater of the Moon park. crazy rock madness.
That “horse trail” was complete insanity. Even in the Jeep, we barely made it over 30mph.
The allure of riding behind the ridge ran thin after the fifteenth mile. Here’s a little of what I’m talking about:
Craters of the Moon comes out of nowhere in the middle of Idaho. It’s essentially a giant field of lava rock.
5.30p back from a few miles of wandering through lava rock. Gorgeous day.
7.15p hoping the WATERING HOLE in Carey has beer and food. preferably a burger to balance all the exercise.
10.30p Back from Watering hole after burgers @ 93 Express and a pointless drive to Picabo. Met Lindsay, Scotty, Travis and Ryan; locals intent on drinking [???]. Scotty even offered to take us home w/ him and Lindsay may have if she were an ounce more bold. Good times. Yankees blow.
old man hunter (Dick?):
“if it flies it dies, if it walks it dies”
ON TAP = BUD, BUD LITE, COORS LITE
Travis = ranch hand in Picabo
Scotty = 6k sqft home
Ryan = works family ranch
Lindsay = other bartender, gave us “D-bombs”
(something [Bicardi] & Sobe energy [Adrenaline]
[along left side]
old man hunter: “welp, I want to listen to more of this bullshit over here” (referring to other conversation)
We explored some small caves in the lava rock, then headed into town for some dinner and drinks. Carey has two restaurants and two bars and none are in the same building. I labeled it “Hell” in a couple text messages...
...But I retract that. After a burger we went back to the Watering Hole, had a couple beers with friendly locals.
Old man hunter gave the second best segue in history, letting that last quote hang in the air as he turned back to the small crowd next to us. It was an outstanding night that capped a frustrating day.
© 2009 Up the Drain
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