Jospeh, Oregon

Sunday - 29 June 2003: Joseph, Oregon - Goodness. Are we still here? It is just too nice to leave. The Big Rigs pulled out this morning and we had to move campsites, three sites over. That was our big excitement this morning. The Owners of the Big Rigs encouraged us to cure our Two-Foot-itis and "go-on-ahead... buy a New Rig". Oh, yes, they also have troubles with their motorhomes. I guess you can have car trouble or house trouble, but if you put a house on a car - and drive it all over the country - you get both. The good news is that at this campsite, we are just able to get satellite reception between two gigantic trees.

This morning, after "moving", we drove to the other side of the lake to see the grave of Chief Joseph (approx. 1785-1871). Chief Joseph was the famed, and long-living, leader of the Nez Perce (pronounced Nez Purse) people. He spent his summers at Wallowa Lake (an early tourist, I suppose). His tribe had a bad time with the U.S. Government (duh) as the government tried for years to get the Nez Perce to settle north, in Idaho, when they had traditionally controlled, and roamed, from Canada to miles south of here. Chief Jospeh never did sign the settlement contract. Chief Joseph was baptized, and given the name Joseph. Later he claimed to not understand about the baptism, and renounced Christianity - but kept the name, as he really liked it! The grave, which sits above Wallowa Lake, is covered with mementos - dream-catchers and sticks - left by visitors to his grave. Pieces of cloth and string hang from the bush next to the headstone, a few have written messages.

Grave of Chief Joseph

After lunch, we drove out to Alpine Meadows to play golf. It was a very nice course - considering it is a city course, in the middle of no-where and built where there is snow on the ground half of the year! The greens were like carpet! I only hit a few good shots, but had a very enjoyable time as we were joined by two local women. I am not sure of their age, but one of the ladies talked about her Great-Grandchildren. They could really hit the ball, too. It was very hot, and we walked, so we were exhausted when we finished and stopped back in town for a cool beverage, served by the Young and Lovely Nadine, before heading back to Goldie for much-needed showers.

Your Correspondent, with the Wallowa Mts.

For dinner, we walked down to the "Y" in the road and, since it is Sunday, had a delicious pizza, which was advertised as a "cheese pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil". It turned out to be a cheese pizza with fresh tomatoes and dried oregano... close... but still delicious. We also ordered salads, which they forgot - which was quite comical, since we were the only patrons in the entire restaurant! Refunded, we walked back to the camper and barely made it in the door before the skies opened and it began to rain. It is very hot outside and the storm is unexpected, but rather pleasant. Good night to stay home, write your website, watch TV and read the newspaper.

Welcome to Joseph, Oregon

RV Park: Park at the River - Eagle Cap Chalets