EASTERN OREGON & ROCK SLIDE

July 30^th:   This day brought a few unexpected surprises as we crossed the border into Oregon.  I could have stuck to the interstate but you know how I feel about that.  I chose the back roads again through country that was at first barren and then morphed into green ranch lands.  All of a sudden there was a very loud clattering from behind me and my heart stopped beating.  Molly dove to the floor while I pulled over and inspected what certainly had to be damage to the car or trailer.  No damage but it was clear I was involved in a minor rock slide.

Site of First Rock Slide

The further I drove into Eastern Oregon, the scenery began to green and ranches popped up everywhere.  I saw signs that said Open Range but did not quite grasp the meaning until a little later.  I had to stop for cattle being driven by cowboys.  They were not crossing the road but travelling up the road to greener pastures.  In open range country they can do this whenever they choose.  There certainly is not much traffic to consider.  The cowboys would maneuver the cattle from side to side and let each car eventually pass.  A strapping young man with a tanned and leathery face, fidgeting with a lasso approached my window and said, without a hello or goodbye, “Keep your nose up that cowboy’s ass in front of you and he will get you through.”  I was happy to oblige so my eyes were glued to the cowboy’s butt in front me going up and going down, up and down.  By the time we inched our way through the herd the car and trailer were massively covered in cow pooh and I was feeling a bit flushed.

Hey Tourist, go home!

Nice Smells

Just minutes after the cowboy encounter we passed the little town of Adel and began another climb up a canyon wall.  Then it happened, a lot of loose rock came tumbling down on the passenger side.  There was no time to react.  I pulled off the road, stopped and prayed.  I don’t know what it is with rock slides that day, but two within two hours of each other?  Damage was minimal.  Front right tire had a big hole and some rocks must have again gone under the hitch and bounced to my left back fender quarter and dented it.  Actually, we were very lucky that a blown tire and dented fender was the extent of my damage.  The heat was intense so after calling for help Molly and I set up an area alongside the highway in the shade of the trailer – the only shade available - and waited for help to come.  Not one car passed without stopping to offer help or water.  Molly amused herself sniffing cow pooh trailer tires and I had day dreams of cowboys on horses. 

New tire for sure.

Help will be here soon.

Second Rock Slide 

Help arrived an hour later, a donut tire was mounted and off we went.  Our rescuer did not quite believe my car would tow the trailer with only a donut, but it did. 

Don’t believe the donut story.  I could tell with one big sniff this wasn’t a donut.  Sometimes I just don’t get the human language. 

The tow truck driver insisted on following me just in case.  I crept along at 30 miles an hour.  Those donuts are not meant to go far and we had about 60 miles to go.  We ended up at Les Schwab’s Tire in Lakeview.  They didn’t have a tire as big as I needed so waited until morning for a tire to be shuttled in from Klamath Falls.

We found a nearby RV park forgetting about the cow pooh.  The park owner gently reminded me that my neighbors would probably appreciate me hosing down the rig before parking.  Right, good idea, what was I thinking.  The owner also told me if I planned to use the showers there were specific hours.  Fire fighters come to this park to avail themselves of showers and get first priority.  Now, let’s see, where did I put that outfit from last night?