Jospeh, Oregon
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