For some reason today had more than its share of difficulty. For the third time in four days I decided to repack my “kit.” That’s a power-two-wheel (PTW) term for the stuff you carry and how you carry it. I’m trying to make things efficient to access. This morning at my Craters camp I spread the task out over a two hour period, and the most I can say is that I now know more ways not to do it. Eventually everything got shoehorned back into or onto the scooter so that I could ride away.
Another thing is I realized that I’m not a Craters of the Moon kind of guy. The place is big, dark, relatively lifeless, and to me, unattractive. “They” say that beauty is a combination of what we perceive and what we know. For example, people who are knowledgeable about modern art think it’s beautiful, while others don’t. So I readily admit that my negative perception of Craters is probably a function of my ignorance, but that’s just the way it is and I don’t have time to dig myself out of that hole right now. I wanted to take some attractive pictures of the place but had a difficult time getting enthused about the process and the pictures reflect that predicament. I’m including some pictures of the park just to document my visit.
I had planned to find a motel in Jackson, have dinner, then catch up on my blog and relax. When I arrived at the edge of town at about 6:00 the streets were filled with participants and spectators at the finish of the mother of all bicycle races. Literally thousands of people. In addition there was a big arts fair and six or eight other events that caused all lodging in town and within 50 miles to be booked solid. I was literally scooting around town looking for vacant lots or remote park corners where I could set up my tent and not get busted by the police in the middle of the night. Finally one nice young man behind a motel reception desk told me of a campground ten miles out of town that might not be full. Campsites were available on a first-come first-served basis. Deciding to forgo dinner, I scooted off towards this last hope for overnight warmth, sure I was in a race with 500 other people for the last two camp spaces in the valley. To make a long story short, I got a space. There was drama, anxiety, and some trickery involved. I won’t even go into the bear problems. I look back on it as a character building experience.
There were also good aspects to the day. I met my camping neighbors at Craters of the Moon, Ken and Linda from southwestern Oregon. They had a cute little pop-up trailer and showed me how it worked. We bonded in a campers kind of way. “Hi,” Ken and Linda, hope you’re home safe.
The true highlight of my day came during lunch at Pickle’s Place in Arco, Idaho. Midway through lunch I noticed two women and a man outside standing around my scooter, pointing and smiling. They were dressed in camo, which in that part of Idaho usually means either military service or hunter. When they came into the restaurant they walked directly up to me and asked if that was my scooter. (Am I that conspicuous?) When I admitted that it was, they launched a salvo of questions about the details of my trip, with enthusiastic affirmations as to the good sense of the project. One of the women in particular was encouraging. She seemed happy that someone was having an adventure. The three of them sat down at their table and little more was said between us other than to confirm they were Air Force and our good-byes. I’m sure the three of them had no idea how uplifting our conversation was to me, a traveler away from home. Support from a well-intended stranger can do wonders for the soul. I’ll try to remember that.
Notice the scooter tied off to a chunk of lava rock to prevent the scooter from falling over. The deep loose gravel caused the center stand pegs to sink deep and with uneven support.
Here’s a product I invented to support a PTW in loose soil. I call it “The Board.” It has multiple uses. I still chose to tie off to the rock.
Ken and Linda
At least the plants were in bloom.
Town of Arco, Idaho
The Snake River in the town of Idaho Falls
As always, neat pictures and story. Why is there part of a submarine in Arco, Idaho?
Have a good night, looking forward to next part of your road trip.😎
Part of a submarine? I assumed the rest of it is underground.
Mom and I read your blog together and looked at all the pictures. Mom and Dad say “Be safe” and thanks for sharing!
Your trip just gets better and better, in terms of challenges, photos/sights, people you meet, and everything new and different to you. It must be exciting, being so far from home, and still a long way to go. I am certain your packing logistics will improve and become a comfortable routine in good time. Sounds like you have everything you want and need, just how best to carry the stuff. I am still euphoric from my trip, went through a huge lava field like the one you saw, this one on Hwy 242, McKenzie Pass in the OR Cascades. The road is labeled as a scenic byway so someone in charge of maps thinks that kind of topography is beautiful!
I enjoy your narrative. I feel like I’m hearing Robert Redford narrative in the beginning of the movie “The River Runs Through It” – similar experiences, easy reading, comical, always highlighting human nature and interactions.
Would like to hear more stories (when you get back to W. Creek) about your trickery to get that campsite you talked about. Did not see photos from your website, maybe they were not downloading, so will check later to see if my computer connection..