7-27-2015
Wallowa County, Oregon

There is a place in this world that is a counterargument to any person who tries to say that we are running out of space.  A place where poets, novelists, artists, farmers, ranchers, craftsmen, and anyone else looking to escape the claustrophobia of urban living can turn to and find relief and inspiration.  That place has a name, and it’s Wallowa County.

Here, highways hug lazy creeks filled with trout fat and jumping at the chance of a mid-morning fly or buzzing bumblebee.  The grasses in the fields sway gently to and fro in patterns proclaimed by clean, crisp mountain winds.  Speed limits are set at 55, but everyone drives slower than that because to do anything other than take your time in this place would be a sin.  Mountains tower triumphantly over deep, vibrant valleys and beckon with bounties of blueberries, huckleberries, and wild honey.  Foals stick close to their mother’s milk and cows moo dreamily in the fields.  And a glacial lake sparkles as the crown jewel of it all.  Touch these waters, see these views, and your soul will be cured of what ails it.

I drove into Wallowa County late this morning, taking my time to note every ounce of beauty which every mile provided.  I was in no rush, as I knew this day was a bit of a crapshoot due to the weather.  My main goal was to ride the tram at Wallowa Lake to the mountain peak, and to later swim in the lake’s crystal clear (freezing cold) waters.  I’m sad to report that I never accomplished either goal.  Like Mt. Shasta back where I live, the lake and surrounding mountains here are profound enough that they can create their own weather.  Today they fated a cold fog and dreary rain.

Because of the rain, the tram was closed for the day.  Because of the fog, I had no desire to swim.  Nevertheless, I stayed near the lake for some time, walking around and hoping that the weather would turn around.  It never did, but the clouds at least made for a few dramatic photos.

Eventually I got tired of waiting for the weather to change when it clearly wasn’t going to change, and so I made the decision to drive into the nearby town of Joseph to walk around.  Joseph is a tiny town, with nothing to it but a few art galleries and some local breweries and restaurants.  It’s still a pretty place, though, and worth a visit.  I covered the town quickly, and then stopped at this place for lunch:

After lunch, I simply made my time here a true road trip, and drove around the county.  It sounds kind of boring, but the scenery here is so breathtaking that the drive kept me captivated.

Beyond the drive, there’s not much to report other than me heading to Enterprise and checking into my hotel.  My room has a view towards the mountains where Wallowa Lake’s located.  I keep looking out the window to see whether the storm clouds have cleared up a bit, but it doesn’t appear to be clearing.  Soon, I’m sure I will get a bit of a second wind and go into town for some dinner at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.  Beyond that, I plan to call it an early night.  Tacoma tomorrow.  My last day in the States before heading north to Canada!

Cheers,

Rob