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Sept 10: Rome,Oregon to Hailey, Idaho

Bob and I went our separate ways this morning, he northwest across Oregon, and me northeast into Idaho.  It was good to be with him for the two days, we have many years of history traveling together.  He is an original thinker , a true adventurer and a good heart.

The first place I went upon leaving the hotel was the Pillars of Rome, which is where the community got its name.  It was five miles down a gravel road through farm land.  I’m OK with the gravel road, but I almost felt like I was intruding into private land, since people rarely visit the pillars.  On the scooter, I must have been a curious sight to anyone looking out their Kitchen window.  When I got to the pillars I was not sure I was really there.  There wasn’t a sign announcing them, and they weren’t striking like some other places, so I rode another couple of miles to see if the scenery got more dramatic.  But no, those were the pillars.  It reminded me of Mount Diablo, the local landmark where I live.  It’s not really a destination point if you’re looking for something to show on vacation pictures, but it’s what we have and has meaning to us.  Same with the Pillars of Rome, Idaho.  It’s meaningful to the residents, and I’m glad I saw them.

On my way across Idaho I passed through Nampa, a neighbor of Boise.  It reminded me of why I’m generally avoiding larger towns and cities on this trip.  It’s not that there is anything wrong with Nampa, it’s just that it is indistinguishable from most other towns, including my own.  The chain restaurants, tract housing, big boxes and traffic are the same thing in a different place.  I have lived my whole life in the Diablo Valley, and so have developed strong emotional attachments to the people and places of my community, but I wouldn’t expect an outsider to be attracted to my area.  All that is fine, but it’s also why I will try to emphasize small towns on this trip.  They are something different to me.  They are a different culture, a connection with the past, an opportunity to learn.

That being said, while gassing up my scooter in Nampa, a postman pulled into the station to ask what I was up to on this laden-down two-wheeler.  He was inquisitive, encouraging, and helpful.  He’s the person who directed me to the Sun Valley area of Idaho, and told me the best alternate road to get there.  He was a reminder to me that there are plenty of good and enjoyable people to be found everywhere, even in towns like his and mine.

After leaving the Nampa/Boise area, I spent a while on Interstate 84E before taking state Hwy 20 across lower Idaho.  Most of the pictures are from this mixture of farmland and rugged terrain.

Bob starting out on his day’s ride.
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The road to  the Pillars
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The Pillars of Rome
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Across Idaho
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