Older Whiskey
Well-known member
Eastern Oregon is a unique place and can't be labeled or renamed Greater Idaho. It stands alone, having seen times that makes Idaho seem tame. It is generally agreed that Eastern Oregon is the land east of the Cascades. The Oregon Trail encompasses a trail across several states, but I will only address where it started in modern day Oregon and I will leave it, when it passes through the Cascades.
Eastern Oregon is a land of vast changing landscape. Most of it is considered desert, with some areas drier than others. It is a beautiful country, dominated by ranches, some with irrigated land, others dry with sparce grass. While known as cowboy country, the indigenous people, numerous Indian tribes, are alive and well. Despite my disappointment, over 50 years ago, when I first entered Eastern Oregon from lower Idaho, and the fall scenery on my left was desolate brown, sparsely vegetated, the view of the Snake River on my right, kept me driving my old pickup, north on the freeway.
My stop for lunch at Farwell Bend, quickly dispelled the urge to turn around and go back and check out Idaho. Seating was limited, so two older couples, that looked like ranch folks to me, invited me to sit with them. I told them I had heard Eastern Oregon was the place for ranch folks like me and jobs were available. They agreed and then debated, among themselves, whether Baker or Union County would best fill my dream. They left and I finished my lunch and went to pay, only to find out, they had paid for my lunch and left me a credit to fill up with gas. From that moment on, it was north to the mountains and Idaho became lesser and disappeared in my rearview mirror.
To be continued ....
Eastern Oregon is a land of vast changing landscape. Most of it is considered desert, with some areas drier than others. It is a beautiful country, dominated by ranches, some with irrigated land, others dry with sparce grass. While known as cowboy country, the indigenous people, numerous Indian tribes, are alive and well. Despite my disappointment, over 50 years ago, when I first entered Eastern Oregon from lower Idaho, and the fall scenery on my left was desolate brown, sparsely vegetated, the view of the Snake River on my right, kept me driving my old pickup, north on the freeway.
My stop for lunch at Farwell Bend, quickly dispelled the urge to turn around and go back and check out Idaho. Seating was limited, so two older couples, that looked like ranch folks to me, invited me to sit with them. I told them I had heard Eastern Oregon was the place for ranch folks like me and jobs were available. They agreed and then debated, among themselves, whether Baker or Union County would best fill my dream. They left and I finished my lunch and went to pay, only to find out, they had paid for my lunch and left me a credit to fill up with gas. From that moment on, it was north to the mountains and Idaho became lesser and disappeared in my rearview mirror.
To be continued ....
