On the Oregon TrailMar 31, 2012
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On the road again
Mountains in Western Idaho
Snake River Valley
Date: March 31, 2012
Tonight’s Location: Umatilla, OR
Mileage: End - 106118
Start - 105812
Total Miles for the day: 306
Weather: partly sunny, a shower or 2
Temperature: start 53º
High 58º
Wildlife count: Ravens, Pronghorn Antelope, Gulls, Ring-necked Pheasant, Ferruginous Hawk, Magpie, Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Flicker
We left Mountain Home at sunrise, 7:30 am, and drove up I-84 through Idaho and into Oregon. Basically we were following the Oregon Trail, where hundreds of wagon trains churned up lots of dust following valleys and crossing passes through the mountains. It must have really been rough travel!
We crossed the 45th Parallel in Oregon, half way between the equator and the North Pole. We also saw huge fields of onions (smelled them as well), potatoes, and wheat, along with dairy and beef herds. It seems to be a very productive area.
We arrived at Umatilla around 1 and set up. Walked to the Visitor’s Center to obtain information about the Columbia Gorge, which we plan to visit in the next few days. My cousin Kay and her husband Jim arrived and we enjoyed a great visit, including dinner. It is great to reconnect.
