Road Trip 2012: Monday 10/1

353 miles.  Camped at the home of Katie Leuthauser in Bickleton, Washington..  Katie is a former student from Potsdam High School.  She is the science teacher at the small rural school in Bickleton.  The extra dog in the camp photo is Katie's new puppy, Annie.

Zoey and I left Boise just about 8:00 AM.  We had so much fun with Lyndsay and Mike, and their dog Nova.  They are a great young couple.  I hope to connect with them again sometime.

I took Interstate 84 north and west for most of the day.  I stopped in Baker City, Oregon to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.  It never ceases to amaze me about the hardships the travelers had to deal with.  In one example, barking dogs caused the oxen to run off, never to be found.  The wagon master was so mad, he ordered all the dogs to be shot.  So now, they didn't have either oxen or dogs.

After crossing Deadman Pass, a beautiful view of Oregon wheat farms appears.  The farmers were busy tilling the land to replant.  Dust was flying everywhere.

As I  neared the Oregon - Washington border at Umatilla, I got to see onions being harvested.  It is big business here.

The Columbia River separates Oregon and Washington.  Over time, the river has created a wide valley in spots, as well as steep gorges.  Since the river flows almost directly east to west, there is a natural wind tunnel effect.  There are wind towers everywhere to harness the wind, and I think its neat to see the towers slowly spinning.  There is also a developing grape and wine industry along the slopes of the river valley.

Washington grapes along the Columbia River.

Looking across the Columbia River at Oregon wind towers.

Bickleton lies about 20 miles north of the Columbia River on a flat plateau.  This is wheat farm country, as well as wind tower country.

Bickleton wind towers.

Bickleton wheat farms.

The Bickleton school is small.  I mean really small.  The entire School District is in one building.  Graduating classes range from three to seven.  Katie is THE High School science teacher.  She has six different subjects to teach!  On the plus side, the classes are small, so the grading of work and tests is somewhat easier.  And also, catch this, the school operates on a four day week to  minimize costs.  I got there in time to catch the end of her Environmental Science class, and then attend a Pep Rally.  The Pep Rally included all the grades.  It was really fun to watch, as the elementary kids seemed to have as much fun as the high school kids.  I have to tell you, I like the feeling of that small school atmosphere.

Katie is the volleyball coach.  There are only two Fall sports offered.  The boys have cross country and the girls have volleyball.  The volleyball team is made up of students from grades 8 through 12.  Travel to games can be an issue.  The closest match is a 45 minute bus ride, while the longest is well over two hours.

After practice I took Katie to dinner at the Bluebird Inn.  The Bluebird is the oldest continuously operated tavern in the State of Washington.  We had a great burger dinner and chatted with the locals, who all know Katie.  I'm so proud of her.  It was fun watching her teach and coach, and the students obviously like her.

Tuesday, Zoey and I are off to Mt. Rainier National Park.........