July 9th

We left Crater Lake, again experiencing different changes in the eco system.  We started thinking  it would be nice to stay in one place for more than a night. However, with no reservations ahead of time, we have only been able to get an overnight spot. The drive was a long one, passing large farming areas, listening to TED Radio Hour and inadvertently coordinating photos with screen shots of the temperature and what we were listening to at that time. Leaving the heavily wooded area of CraterLakePark heading south we entered a very hot area with temperatures to 108!  Hills and distant snow topped mountains became desert as we left Oregon into Idaho.  At a temp of 100 Ted was playing "forgiveness".  .The hills looked 

We left Crater Lake, again experiencing different changes in the eco system.  We started thinking  it would be nice to stay in one place for more than a night. However, with no reservations ahead of time, we have only been able to get an overnight spot. The drive was a long one, passing large farming areas, listening to TED Radio Hour and inadvertently coordinating photos with screen shots of the temperature and what we were listening to at that time. Leaving the heavily wooded area of CraterLakePark heading south we entered a very hot area with temperatures to 108!  Hills and distant snow topped mountains became desert as we left Oregon into Idaho.   Sandy in color but not consis Hard, with cracks declaring their thirst..  ranches often in the hilly areas.  Altitude was around 5,000'..  a town called Juntura with a small population housed an Oasis.  No gas, but ice.  In a blink another small town disappeared and we began feeling desperate for a gas station. Passing through higher hilly areas on one side a river happily swept through on our left.  106 degrees, more arid, no gas station in sight, fuel tank showing less than 50 miles left.  Hills with scrub, plateaus, 107 degrees. 

like the Michigan Dunes we have all climbed.  Sandy in color but not consistency. Hard, with cracks declaring their thirst..  ranches often in the hilly areas.  Altitude was around 5,000'..  a town called Juntura with a small population housed an Oasis.  No gas, but ice.  In a blink another small town disappeared and we began feeling desperate for a gas station. Passing through higher hilly areas on one side a river happily swept through on our left.  106 degrees, more arid, no gas station in sight, fuel tank showing less than 50 miles left.  Hills with scrub  The R and I lapsed into a somewhat humorous conversation about Harry and Harriet, the Pioneers who crossed this area in the 1800s, who are 5-10miles a day.  How did they stay hydrated?  Who wants to cook in these temperatures?  How many days did they eat grits?  What were their protein sources?  What happened when a baby decided to present itself?  Who had the energy for "that"? No DVDs to entertain the young urns'. Disappointment t at more mountainous regions. Challenges by Natives.  We made our own story!
Still with climbing temps to 108 and cars, trucks, motorcyclists without helmets, other cars pulling one thing or another passed us frequently as we maintained the speed limit.  Most apparently found the yellow lines a suggestion.   Many small towns, no gas homes that varied between pristine and tumble down, we stayed on US 20.  Farming more obvious with silos and hay now bundled in ever increasing sizes.  Corn in the early stages, and harvest ready. I was surprised for some reason as I thought how much further along the growing season was when compared to home.    It was obvious after I thought it   Through in my head.  Duh. This mystery of farming"habits" created a monster in me as I searched Wiki for growing seasons and crops.  Irrigation was varied, some areas with access to rivers used ditches along the side of the road with plumbing pieces to somehow make it work.  Some had large irrigation systems on wheels as we know. Steer moseyed in the fertile areas close to water.  In my agriculture search I was surprised that hay not potatoes are the crop most grown in Idaho.  No taties seen.  Agriculture became more visible, but hay.  Bales were huge and I found they were about a ton a piece.  They were piled 3-4 high about 5 deep.  Some farms seemed prosperous and the area they farmed was far beyond my imagination.  We passed the only church, a tiny abandoned one.  Huge silos, abandoned farms and convenience stores, historical markers which we stopped to read telling about violations on Native Lands guaranteed by treaty.  On a more humorous note, we passed a massive piece of machinery

, dead in the field, with a huge bale of hay sticking out its behind.  Seemingly unable to move beyond that vulnerable state I called it the "constipated combine".  Would mi real oil enemas help?.signs along the road warned of roaming cattle, the hills began to look almost prehistoric
No significant towns, no places to stop, we found a spot in Mountain Home late in the day.  The owner was generous, just asking our name and ETA promising to save us something.  
This is being written on a document app that I found.  It requires me to eml it to myself which can then be pasted into the blog.  This may appear as 2 entries.