On the Road to Oregon: Vernon, Texas tonight.

[DemoTex]

I drove 10+ hours today, from Vicksburg, MS, to Vernon, TX. I was trying for Childress, but a dust storm (WTF?) stopped me in Vernon.

The first motel I tried (a cheap Best Western) allowed dogs. Hurray! Nick doesn't have to sleep in the Tacoma!

I had dinner in the motel's restaurant, the "CATF__H I__" (broken sign, like the play "HOT_L BALTIMORE"). Actually, I had to eat in the pool hall annex to the bar .. the "CATF__H I__" was slammed on Friday night (with the rodeo in town too!). Plus, no wine in the restaurant. But the catfish was great. And the Merlot was extremely well chilled (but not bad)!

Fox News was on in the bar. No one watched. The juke box played "The Stockyard Is My Backyard." Two good-ole-boys shot 8-ball. In the motel parking lot three old farts (like me) leaned and talked around the back bed of a Ford F-350. Another man carefully covered his silver Shelby Cobra. Eighteen-wheelers continued to pull into the gravel parking lot.

There are bad storms moving in now, so I need to walk Nick-Nick. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow. Soon to come: a Ham radio operator's comments on CB (especially CH 19). But, that $100 CB has already saved me lots of grief on this trip.

BTW: Yesterday I drove past the TROF MEMORIAL F-84 (on display at Montgomery's Dannelly Field Air Guard Center. I didn't get the bureau (tail) number, but DUer TROF had to have flown it in his fighter pilot career. "Oh, the F-84 is a ground-loving whore .."

[stevedeshazer]

1. I'll follow your trip with interest

You have the best summer job ever.

You'll love Central Oregon.

Steve in Portland

[sandnsea]

2. Dust storm is better than a fire storm

We'll hope that's the worst you come up against this summer.

Where are you planning on turning north?

[DemoTex]

6. I'll turn north at Amarillo, then take US-87W at Dumas, TX.

I'll join I-25 to Cheyenne and I-80. If I make really good time tomorrow, I'll take the scenic I-70 at Denver. Either way, I'll join I-84 and go through Boise to split off on US-20 to Burns and Bend.

[sandnsea]

14. I guess

Are you in a hurry? Cuz most of that route is not particularly attractive. It'd be a shame not to catch a scenic route somewhere along the line.

Never mind - I missed the I-25 part somehow. That'll be nice. Good choice!

[here_is_to_hope]

19. Since you are trashing around with the Truckers...

Remember, take your map, draw a straight line from where you are at to where you are going and then draw an arc above it, thats your shortest route.
Sorta.
I am on the coast of Oregon and heading to New Mexico for the Rainbow Gathering...near Chama.


edited for Hippie spelling...

[FightingIrish]

3. Better get a move on. It's heating up here in Oregon.

They're forecasting 97 degrees for Sunday in the Rogue Valley. Our annual rainfall is way below normal. My son works for BLM and will probably be fighting the fires you spot.

[DemoTex]

7. Bend forecast: mid-40s low and mid-80s high for this weekend.

East Butte (6500' MSL) temps will be lower. The head ranger told me that they expect a very mild fire season in the Deschutes NF, starting in August. But one never knows!

[classof56]

22. Yes, it's starting out great for our weekend. Gotta love it!

Especially the gorgeous snow-covered Cascade peaks looming over us!

I have some long-time friends who are lookouts over in the Malheur NF, have been for years, and love it. Have visited them a time or two (when I lived closer). Quite a climb to the top, but worth the view!

Not sure where East Butte is, will check w/the Deschutes and find out. Knee issues prevent climbing the steps, but could wave at ya from the ground.

Glad a fellow DUer will be spending time doing such an important job in such a beautiful place. Here's to a no-fire summer and lots o'blue sky and sunshine!

Keep having a safe trip!

[classof56]

4. You're on your way to Central Oregon? Welcome, welcome!

It is more than beautiful here (all of OR is, actually) and you and Nick will love what you see!

Blessings and safe journey!

[DemoTex]

10. Thank you!

I'm finally on the road. Today I realized how Jack Kerouac felt as I took the great back roads of Texas from just west of Fort Worth to Vernon.

[MauriceCobert]

5. going to be one of the best weekends of the year!

Going to be an exciting summer as La nina is history

[DemoTex]

8. Not quite sure what you mean Maurice ..

I'll welcome you to DU if you will explain your post ..

[MauriceCobert]

12. sorry was on another wavelength

First off I am on southern OR coast and we are expecting the best weekend of the year so far, nice and warm. You are coming over during the best time of year. As far as La nina we will find out more with the monthly forcast tomorrow but it is looking like La nina is about finished meaning the rain will lay off here in Oregon and storms will move into California leaving us with some lightening strikes in central and eastern OR. Means you might have a busy summer. At least that was last I read. Hope to know more tomorrow. Have some nice times this summer!

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/precip/CWlink/MJO/enso.shtml

[DemoTex]

15. Thanks Maurice!

I'll be staffing the East Butte lookout in the Deschutes NF. I'll be in the lookout from Wednesday through Sunday. Come see us!

[here_is_to_hope]

18. Southern Oregon Coast here too!

Well, Coos Bay anyway...and it does look nice outside!

Welcome to DU!

[classof56]

20. Ah, you're close to my favorite state park--Shore Acres!

Used to go there at least once a year to refresh my spirit. Hard to beat the beauty of the gardens, the waves pounding on the cliffs and the drive to Cape Arago lighthouse. And all those sea lions serenading us! Want my ashes scattered there when the time comes, just to forever be a part of all that spectacular scenery you're blessed with down your way. I know, it's illegal, but hey--what State Parks doesn't know won't hurt 'em!

Love Central Oregon where I now live, but the Southern Oregon Coast is a close second!

Here's to hope!

:toast:

[classof56]

21. Welcom to DU, Maurice!

Lucky you, living on the Southern Oregon coast! Enjoy the warm!

Blessings.

[roguevalley]

9. outstanding. you will dig Oregon. Seriously. Take care getting there.

[littlebit]

11. Have a safe trip.

Are you going to go up through Dalhart and into NM to pick up I-25? If you are going that way be careful. 87 in TX is one gigantic speed trap north of Amarillo.

[DemoTex]

13. Thanks!

That will be part of my ham radio ode to the M*****F****** trucksters on the long-lost 11 meter band (CB).

[littlebit]

17. Hey now

I'm one of those M********F******* trucksters on channel 19. Anyway when you get to Amarillo pay attention to the street signs. They are not all official signs. Years ago a crazy old rich man named Stanley Marsh started putting up signs that said things like "Blind albino alligator in the sewer". Those signs are still up all over the place. Anyway take it easy and be safe.

[NeedleCast]

16. Shelby Cobra

Wow...I hope you got a picture of that. Don't see many of those anymore. Probably my favorite classic muscle car.