Owyhee Canyon — Boise to Jordan Valley

Owyhee Country

Owyhee Country

The Basque Hotel, not to be missed. You simply haven’t lived, until you have been at the Basque Hotel. And I lay here late at night, so happy to be in a comfortable bed.  Where is the Basque Hotel you ask? France or Spain, in the Pyrenees?  No actually, it’s in the town of Jordan Valley (JV), in the most eastern part of Oregon, just a few miles from the Idaho border. Pretty much in the middle of nowhere.

Dan and I had decided last month to explore this part of Oregon. He had been here briefly a few years back, and I have never been here. We are both explorers and adventurers, in much the same style, or spirit, if you will. And having an awesome time together was a foregone conclusion.

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Pillars of Rome and JV — Jun 16

Pillars of Rome

Pillars of Rome

I am at the Basque Hotel tonight and it is already feeling like home.

We woke up and asked the Shell attendant about the internet cafe in JV, and he directed us to JV Cafe. We went over to the café thinking we would order something light to eat to justify our use of the internet and catch up on email. read more…

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Coffeepot Crater & Birch Creek — Jun 17

High Desert Owyhee Country

High Desert Owyhee Country

We are in Caldwell, Idaho – about 30 miles outside of Boise. I am sitting here wondering if I can find enough superlatives and adjectives to do our day and the scenery we steeped ourselves in, justice. But I will give it my best shot.

If we moved to JV, we would fast become regulars at Rockhouse Cafe. In part because it’s the only wifi connection in town, but also, the artsy vibe and friendly service. The barista already recalled after 1 visit that I like herbal tea, with room for cream.read more…

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Succor Creek & Home — Jun 18

Succor Creek

Succor Creek

I am back in Eugene now.

I woke up in Caldwell, with that feeling one gets knowing their travels are in the twilight phase. But also eager to make the most of the day, although I felt it wouldn’t top yesterday and discovering the Grand Canyon.

Back in Oregon, there is a state park called Succor Creek. We wanted to do something close to Caldwell, to minimize driving time, back to Boise. State Park evokes images of a big maintained lawn and lots of kids and families running around, at least in my urban mind. Although when we arrived, I realized in Malheur County, state park means, extremely scenic area in a remote region with very little services (an outhouse).read more…

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Welcome to Maui — May 28

Kahului, Maui

Kahului Bay

Tonight I sit in Kahalui, Maui,a cup of kava-kava, drinking it the traditional way, straight from the coconut. That’s how they serve it up in here.

Four months ago, a friend gave me some standby tickets for Alaska Air, and so, I had the idea that a quick visit to Hawaii would be fun. Since I had already been to Kauai and Oahu, I picked Maui for some variety. Because it is still part of the states, it would be a straightforward enough adventure and not involve any of the complexities of foreign travel.read more…

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Halfway on Road to Hana — May 29

Downtown Pa'ia

Downtown Pa’ia

I am an early riser by nature, but when hanging in the tropics, I am even more so. The first sign of dawn and I am up and at ’em. The mosquitos had a field day on me last night, but I scratched myself like a mad woman and shrugged it off.

I headed straight for Pa’ia, a town that a few friends told me I would like, as it is like Eugene with better weather. And in fact, it did appear to be an extension of Eugene. As I walked down Baldwin Avenue, I took note of the man having a serious argument with himself, and losing. I saw that he bore a striking resemblance to the man in the Whiteaker (a Eugene hood) who also walks down the street having a serious argument with himself, and losing.read more…

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Onward to Hana — May 30

The Ke'anae Pennisula

The Ke’anae Pennisula

I am sitting outside in the moonlight at Wai’anapanapa State Park. Listening to the waves crash in below me. It’s awesome.

I awoke at 5am at the YMCA camp and went outside to watch the sunrise. The moment I stepped outside, I felt something crawl across my bare feet, I think it was two geckos. They tickled and I jiggled my foot so they would keep on scurrying away. The sunrise was indeed magnificent. I loved the dark image of the papaya tree juxtaposed with the vivid sky colors.read more…

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Hana to Kipahulu — May 31

Kipahulu

Black Sand Beach

It is very late, technically, it’s Monday, and I am in a most wonderful spot in Kipahulu, feeling blissful on so many levels.

I woke up at Wia’anapanapa State Park and went for a morning walk. I have taken Scooter for his morning walk for years and now he has me trained. Even when he’s not with me, my body craves and expects a walk first thing. After that, I strolled down to the black sand beach and did yoga. I can totally understand why many yoga videos seem to be filmed in Hawaii – the two go together like peanut butter and jelly.read more…

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Maui Upcountry — Jun 1

Maui Uncountry

Kaho’olawe as Seen from the Pilani Highway

It’s 9:30 at night and I am at Hosmer’s Grove, 12 miles south of the summit of Haleakala. I want to get to bed not too late, since I am getting up at 3am for what will hopefully be a monumental event.

I woke up at Cafe Attitude and the rain was coming down something fierce. As much as I wanted to hike around Ohe’o’Gulch, I was not into being drenched and so I decided to head west and go all the way around the island. I said a silent prayer to the land I was on and headed out.read more…

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Haleakala — June 2

Haleakala

Dawn at the Summit of Haleakala

It’s late, and I am thoroughly enjoying sitting in my bed, in Wailuku, with an internet connection. OK, that’s a big time understatement. I am in heaven – it’s the first time I have been able to get online since last Thursday!

My day started at 3am, when my phone alarm woke me up. I had things pretty much in order from the night before, so I simply folded up my sleeping gear, filled up my water bottles, and hit the road, driving up the mountain to Halelakala Park in the pitch dark. Fortunately it is an excellent road. Maui in general has excellent roads I am sure I am not the only one who really appreciates this. It makes traveling a breeze, if you will. I was hoping to be the first person up there, but I was the fourth.read more…

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