Day 1 - 4/4/17 - Salem Oregon to Boise Idaho - 486 miles

The Road Ahead
We are on the road. This picture was on US 20 west of Bend, Oregon as we were heading out to the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, site of the great Bundy Bunglers takeover last year.

While there are no obvious signs of the takeover, there are signs of the record winter rains we had this year. Water is everywhere. Small lakes in cattle range on both sides of the road where it is usually pasture land. Add in the mirage of water shimmering on the road in the distance and it almost feels like you're diving on the ocean.

Here on this first Tuesday of April there is virtually no traffic to be found. Easy driving. Lunch at McMenamins in Bend provided a nice lunch before we hit the real open spaces.

Cattle! Everywhere is evidence of the health of the beef industry that is flourishing in Oregon. About a decade ago ranchers caught the tide of local food by banding together to increase the quality of their beef. Open pastures, breeding and avoiding feed lots and chemicals raised the quality of the meat along with the consumer desire for safer local foods. Black Angus cattle everywhere.

The beauty at the Malheur Refuge is striking. It is also a long way from civilization.  When we hit Boise late last night we were, well .......

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