FORT BOISE TO ROSEBURG
A Few Simple Rations
fish tomorrow
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.. Fort Boise was the largest city along the old Oregon Trail. It still is! We made it across the northern Great Basin on a quart of chocolate milk and three jelly donuts... No cholera was contracted, every river crossing was dry, and the natives we encountered were not hostile.
.. The high point of the trek was the Millican Store - it's for sale! It would make the perfect fly fishing emporium for sand trout.
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.. By the time we encountered Willamette Pass another quart of milk had been consumed - along with a 1/2 dozen Twinkies. The pass was an instructive experience. We'd never before seen a tractor/trailer rig on an escape ramp in 18" of snow. We would show you a picture of the strange sight but we were too busy sliding sideways to find the camera... From what we could see through the fog, and the snow, and the clouds of diesel exhaust, it looks like pretty country. The stench of burning brake linings spoiled the experience though. The elk we saw reminded us of home - even if they were DOSR.
.. There does not seem to be a recession in the Oregon gasoline business. No self service here. Swarms of eager pump jockeys descend on the vehicles to put gasoline in the correct orifice. It seems that the state legislature figures that people who drive their own automobile, (not motorcycle or airplane,) are too stupid to find the correct place to shove the nozzle. Interesting in a state that does allow self-serve suicide!
.. This day will bring a journey down the mysterious Coquille River. From it's headwaters to the Pacific Ocean It should provide some beautiful scenery, and probably several more dead elk. After driving past all the renowned fisheries on the road here - this had better be good!
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