On the road again...

We're on day 3 of driving, but here are some comments from the 1st 2 days:

On the 1st night, we drove through Madras (Eastern OR) looking for the ideal camping spot. We passed through Culver looking for a state park on the river, ideally with some hiking trails. It actually overlooks the river, midway between a butte and a low river valley. For $23, we decided to go check out the $5 Haystack Reservoir in the Crooked River National Grasslands. (Note to AAA members out there, we are finding out that some of the information and directions in their 2009 camping book is inaccurate - it's actually 1.3 miles, not 3.3 miles, to the turn to Haystack Reservoir, then 2 miles up the road to the turn for the campground.) The campground promised hiking trails, but alas, it was closed. But, do not despair! We passed the Haystack Reservoir State Park where it looked like people were camping, so we turned around to find our own parking place equipped with lake, picnic table, grass, fire ring, and large hardwood tree. Based on the signs indicating that camping fees will be $10 starting May 1, we determined that the camping fee was $0! A fabulous deal that even included a vault toilet. We ate dinner by the lake, went for a stroll, then sat at the picnic table while the sun set, listening to the birds and the cows in nearby fields settling in for the night. The frogs started up with a chorus that lasted throughout the night. The fish were jumping, but I in my cap felt protected from the bugs they were after. The fish brought out the fly fisherman from the tent next to us and the steady and constant advice from his wife.

But wait - are we surrounded by coyotes? Or are they birds? Was that a coyote just across the bend in the lake, or a man pretending to be a coyote? This last coyote had to reveal himself to Alex at the edge of the lake, as if to say, "I am no man, you fool. I am Coyote, calling to my brothers."

At last, we crawled into bed in the back of the truck, which always makes me laugh. We put 2x6s and plywood across the bed of the pickup to provide storage underneath and sleeping on top. With 2' from bed to canopy, it's very cozy...very very cozy.

As we snuggled in, the rain moved in. I drifted off to the rumblings of the sky, rumblings next to me, and dreams of birds and falling feathers.

Night 2, we weren't so lucky. Rain drove us to a motel in Ontario (still in Oregon - we're moving slowly), apparently the only motel in town. clean, convenient, but not free with sounds of cars, vacuums, and the in-room refrigerator replacing the birds, frogs, and coyotes. But, we got breakfast, a shower, and a little bit of the much coveted TV time, which is something we always look forward to when we stay in a motel since we don't have cable at home.

Today, we are sizing up Idaho State Parks and keeping an eye on the clouds. Are they coming from the east or the west? Are they portending thunder, rain, or a peak of blue sky?

Many thanks to the Hagerman (Idaho) Public Library for the use of their public computer and to The Bil and Melinda Gates Foundation for providing HPL with their 2 computers.