Road Trip: Ode to Summer Part II

Before I moved out west, summer used to mean international travel. Now that I am in Oregon, it means ROAD TRIP! That's not to say that I didn't dabble in some southeast road trips back in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina; it's just that it might be comparing apples and oranges. Northwest is epic, grand, saga, awesome; Southeast is an intriguing short story, quaint, rock-n-roll rift, mysterious.

I recently read the article "Southern Roads: The Art of the Road Trip" from Garden and Gun magazine just before embarking on a trip from Portland, Oregon, to Montpelier, Idaho—some 800 miles of dynamic landscapes. While I knew the discrepancies in the two trips would be vast, Daniel Wallace did provide me with some pearls of wisdom that could be applied.

Southeast: You could discover a road like this.

1. Road trips are not vacations.

2. Get Lost

3. Get off the highway

4. Play Games

5. Go along for the ride 

Southeast: Highway traffic

Southeast: Cityscapes 

This is some excellent advice, especially for southern roads, because there really is nothing pretty about I-85, I-75, or I-95. Coming from someone who has driven up and down the eastern seaboard, I know. You do get to see some city profiles, but you're also just as likely to get stuck in snarling traffic with nothing to look at except rude bumper stickers or get woozy from idling fumes. 

Southeast: Pump your gas here.

While the west's byways are preferable, highways like I-84 through the Columbia River Gorge and eastern Oregon are amazing. I-90 through South Dakota, Montana, and Idaho are also awe inspiring. I like to turn on U2's Joshua Tree, The Garden State Soundtrack, or Ryan Bingham's Mescalito in these spaces.

Columbia River Gorge—Wet Side

Columbia River Gorge—Dry Side

1. Our road trip to Montpelier was not a vacation. I offered to accompany my friend on a road trip so that she could visit a dying friend, and she wouldn't have to drive. Contrary to what you might think, it was a life-affirming journey, and the thrum of the motor, the vast and infinite landscape lent to a meditative mindset. We did stop at less-than stellar Motel 6 in Twin Falls, where upon arrival we learned the pool was closed because a kid was sick in it. It had been 100 degrees out there, but the AC was pumping and we weren't there for the decor.

2. We did get lost trying to find Los Pinos in Mountain Home, Idaho. But I think it was because we were cranky and ready for some eats. I'm going to go ahead and give a shout out to this little restaurant. It's worth getting off the highway a little bit and way better than anything fast food can dish up.  

3. We got off of I-84 three times. At the start of our trip we decided on OR 26 East through Mt. Hood, down toward Madras, Prineville, and Prairie City toward Ontario, OR. On this route we were able to see the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Ochoco and Strawberry Mountains. 

Pickle's Place, Arco, Idaho

Serendipity Atomic Days

On the return trip we took ID 26 west through Atomic City, Arco, and Craters of the Moon National Monument. Atomic City was going to be the pinnacle city of the nuclear age, with a reactor destined to be located here. Alas, that didn't happen, and now it only has a population of about 25. Down the road is the Idaho National Laboratory, kind of creepy. We decided on Arco for lunch, and it was crazy busy in Pickle's Place. When we asked, the waitress resignedly informed us that it was Atomic Days Weekend. Boy weren't we lucky! Fifty-seven years ago, Arco was the first city EVER to be lit by nuclear energy. And we made it for the celebration weekend. How perfect is that? 

Columbia River Gorge from WA 14 

Sunset on I-84

The final off-highway action was WA 14, which is on the north side of the Columbia River Gorge. The views are so spectacular that I almost always am unable to take any photos. It's just too much, really. We also let the gas dip below a quarter tank, and we had to coast into the Dalles on fumes. We had .46 gallons left. That's the risk you take when you're on scenic byways. 

4. Play games we did. We started off the trip taking the temperature, time, and location of our vehicle. It ranged between 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM, 57 and 106 degrees. We ended up adding elevation as well. If I get really dorky, I'll put some statistics together for you. We also played the license plate game, finding 26 states. That's more than half! Finally, and I owe this one to Mr. Wallace, we played his simple Roadkill Game. Oh man, this cracked me up:

Count the dead possums, armadillos, deer, raccoons, birds, snakes, and frogs, whether they're smashed flat on the faded white lane-dividing line or unceremoniously shoved to the shoulder. The first to a hundred wins.

We only made it 27, but it's not Mississippi.

5. "The road she ends up taking is as much a surprise to her as it is to us." We took some great chances on our route; it was hilarious, tragic, contemplative and harrowing. What a ride. This post is dedicated to Michael Felcher and his marvelous life and stories.

The road to Montpelier, Idaho