Thursday, April 30 (continued)
“We need to explore this place. C’mon!”
The crew and I set out on the road that traces the shore of Antelope Reservoir, about ten miles west of Jordan Valley in barren, southeastern Oregon.
A short distance from our camp I realize we are walking on top of an earthen dam (photo above) which I later learn online is 80 feet tall. I also learn that the reservoir has a surface area of 3,285 acres (I assume that’s when full) and 17 miles of shoreline.
What’s that sound?
As we proceed, the sound becomes a roar. Rushing water. Looking down the steep slope of the dam I discover the source — the outflow from the reservoir.
The roar is tremendous. Such power!
In the photo below the water comes from the lower right, goes under the walkway, and flows around to continue in a more placid state out the upper left of the photo.
We could walk down there for a closer look.
The image of the crew being carried downstream dispels any such notion. Zooming the camera lens is a better idea!
I doubt I’d be able to walk across that raging water!
Antelope Reservoir provides irrigation for 12,000 acres of farmland downstream (wikipedia).
Further from the dam is a collection of rare plants — trees! I bet the cows and wildlife like having shade next to water.
We continue our walk, stopping often, mostly upon the insistence of the Reggie Man.
He’s excited to be in this strange place!
The day is pleasantly warm, probably around 80 degrees.
I pull out my monocular from my pants pocket and scan the shoreline. No sign of humans. A few free-range cows on the opposite shore.
We continue on our way.
We approach a small cove and a dozen American Coots noisily skit across the water. Apparently they aren’t accustomed to human presence. A squeal above us announces the fly-by of a gull.
Far from shore I see duck-like shapes.
Hmm…. I wonder what they are… I zoom in and grab a shot. Later I enlarge and crop to where the duck becomes visible. It’s a fuzzy image but good enough for identification.
A merganzer, right?
The hairdo is the dead give-away. I’m learning a lot living the way I do! I first identified merganzers (with the help of readers, of course) at Antelope Flat near Flaming Gorge. That’s the camp on a peninsula with a view of the amazing, changing rock. Do you remember that camp?
The above photo illustrates my attitude toward my photography.
I daresay most bloggers would not include such a poor quality photo in their blog or on their website. Or they have super-duper lenses that would provide a better quality photo in the first place.
Me? I want to share my experiences from “on the road.”
If I can do that with beautiful, artistic, quality photos, I’m very happy. I’m also perfectly content to post a picture like the one above. This isn’t a contest, right? Anyway . . . . You got to see the duck and that’s what I care about!
The lane curves around a series of small coves.
A picnic table comes into view.
“Oh, look! There’s a campsite on that point!”
We walk out to the site and I take the next photo.
Gee, we could move over here. Suddenly a small cloud of non-biting, gnat-like insects swirl around my face. Or, on the other hand, we could stay where we are and be content!
On the walk back to camp Bridget shows signs of weariness.
“Let’s stop for awhile, honey.”
She gets a “second wind” and the three of us resume walking.
Without any internet connection to anchor me inside the Best Little Trailer, I spend a happy afternoon and early evening outside with Bridget and Reggie.
After supper and dark (and I do mean dark! No lights anywhere!), I finish reading Swimming in the Moon: A Novel by Patricia Schoenewaldt. 
The plot carries the readers through the struggle for better working conditions around the time of the horrible fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The story is a lot more than that though. I enjoyed it, and therefore . . .
I recommend this book.
As I type this, the Kindle version is only $1.99. As always, before ordering read the synopsis and reader comments that Amazon provides.
Friday, May 1
I lift my head from the pillow, careful not to disturb Reggie and Bridget. The sun is rising above the hills, spilling pink across the water. Should I try to catch a photo?
I look down at the tender face of Reggie, softened by sleep, warm and fluffy. No, I want him to learn to sleep past the first morning light.
(Bridget probably wouldn’t be disturbed. Her hearing is poor and she’s accustomed to me jumping up, grabbing the camera, and disappearing.)
After we take a short walk, I break camp.
I place the chocks inside the PTV. I also arrange the quilt on the bench seat and place the doggie bed between the front seats. A few more details and we’re ready.
“C’mon, Bridgee babee! We’re going!”
I toss the crew into the PTV, start ‘er up, and pull out.
About 25 miles west we come to Rome.
A grand name for a tiny town. See the yellow sign across the bridge in the photo below? I had to laugh — It warns: CONGESTION.
Behind those trees are a cafe and a few buildings. Hmm . . . Must be a different kind of congestion than what one encounters in Boise!
This day is one of our longest travel days yet.
In the next post I’ll show you our new camp near Bend, Oregon!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Where we were this time last year
