Day 26: Pendleton, OR: 373.5 miles; 5:30.

We started out at 7:35.  Miss Direction plotted a straight path (no turns at all) to Pendleton.  We passed through Idaho's farmland an potato fields.  The landscape looks flat here, but that is deceiving because the Snake River has carved a canyon through this area called the Snake River Gorge.  This becomes evident at Twin Falls (pop. 44,125; elev. 3,745).  There is a bridge over the gorge at the north end of town.  According to the AAA Guide Evel Knievel "attempted" to leap across the canyon in 1974.  Jim said, "he made it."  I wondered...

The bridge is reputedly the only US location where BASE jumping is allowed year-round without a permit.  No thank you.  Shoshone Falls, just to the northeast, plunges more than 212 feet and is known as the Niagra of the west.  However, it is downstream from an irrigation project and can be DRY during droughts.

We noted on the news as we were having breakfast at the motel that other states were opening some of their larger and more popular national parks and landmarks.  We passed the exit for Fossil Beds National Monument and Minidoka National Historic Site (WWII Japanese relocation camp).  We doubted they were open and went on.

Although the windshield remains clear, we have run into flies.  Had several in the room and they seem to be thick in Pendleton as well.

We passed by Glenns Ferry (pop. 1,319; elev. 2,560 feet).  We are on the Oregon Trail now having left Route 66 back in Arizona.  Glenns Ferry is where wagon trains were forced to ford the Snake River from early 1840's until 1869 when the ferry began to operate.

We are now in semi-arid hilly country.  No trees to speak of.   As we got closer to Boise, the land flattened out and we saw signs waring us of "frequent high winds."  We passed the Hammett exit for Bruneau Dunes State Park where the wind-blown sands collected in this swale for 15,000 years of relatively constant winds have formed what is said to the the tallest single-structured sand dune in North America.

We passed Mountain Home (pop. 14,206) and wondered, "Where are the mountains?"  The town is on flat ground with some Arbuckle-type hills in the background.

We were getting close to Boise now so I looked it up.  It has a population of 205,671 and an elevation of 2,736 feet.  It is known as the "City of Trees."  That is because the French-Canadian trappers who worked in this area were grateful to reach a forest again after trudging across the semi-arid plains.  So we started looking for trees.  About 10 miles out of town, we spotted our first tree.

These are short trees, just peaking over the cement wall along the freeway.  Boise does have a lot of trees and they are showing off their fall colors.  As we get into town, the road widens to 8 lanes and driving through town is a breeze (of course, it is Saturday).  The only thing missing was an HOV/Toll lane.

Then as we leave Boise, the trees disappear again and we are back to arid country.  We passed a sign announcing the 'Snake River Valley Wine Region." We are 34 miles from Oregon and Jim says, "it smells like home." Soon we crossed the Snake River into Oregon.

We immediately got to Ontario (pop. 11,366; elev. 2,153 feet) which is in an agricultural belt along the Snake River.  About 20 miles later we hit the Pacific Time Zone and gained an hour.

Next town of note was Baker City on the Oregon Trail.  Gold was discovered here in 1861.  The city experienced several gold rush booms and was known for staying up late, rowdy saloons, dance halls and red-light districts.  Many historic buildings of that era remain.  Baker City was voted one of 6 most beautiful small towns in America by Rand McNally and USA Today in 2011 and 2012.

The scenic drive from Baker City to Pendleton takes you through the Blue Mountains and an exciting 6 miles of 6% grade as you approach Pendleton.  It rained all the way (feels like home.)

Pendleton has a population of 16,612 and an elevation of 1,068 (after that drop out of the mountains). The True West Magazine voted Pendleton the "Top True Western Town" in 2011.  It is known for the Pendleton Roundup Rodeo which has been held every September since 1910.

We went to the Pendleton Woolen Mill to look at all their beautiful designs, then headed to the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute, a wonderful museum put together by the local tribes.  That was for me. Jim sat in the car and listened to his football games. Then we went off to the motel and some TV football for Jim.

We will be home tomorrow.