During the last 34 days I’ve had several opportunities to help people with pronunciation of Oregon. This morning I was involved in scraping the windshield again. The temperature was 26 degrees in Twin Falls. The scenery across southern Idaho is not so much. There wasn’t a single reason to get out of the van and take a photo, until this rest stop.
Not long after the rest stop, we whizzed by Ontario,Oregon. After we cleared the town, I found an exit that led me back through Ontario on a lesser road. I was trying something distinctive. They do have a nice looking High School. I decided to see if I could find First Christian, using the “two blocks from success” theory. My biggest problem was I was having a hard time deciding where “success” is in Ontario. The High School is out on the edge of town and relatively new, so our church wouldn’t be there. I had to dine old success, rather than new.
I order what church it was before the Buddhist’s took over?
I found a Lutheran (Missouri Synod), a Baptist, and an Episcopal Church. I finally gave up and google mapped the First Christian Church. Lo and behold, I had been within 1 block of it numerous times and never saw it. It’s kind of a cute little building.
I’ll turn now and show you the view down the most prosperous looking direction. Is the Christian Church two blocks from success?
Two blocks away is SW 2nd Street, but nothing looks very successful in old downtown Ontario. Go east or west down 2nd street and before you go too far you’ll run into new success… Walmart’s, targets, fast food. Gas stations.
I’ll get off this depressing theme, and head to the Four Rivers Cultural Center.
Oops, it’s closed for Veteran’s Day. Turn around and you’ll see the Cultural Center is part of a memorial plaza.
Attached to the Cultural Center building is this:
Turn around and There’s a building with this placard out front.
There’s also a sort of park, and you can see the hospital is close at hand. Looks like there’s been efforts to reinvent old downtown.
So that’s it, that’s all. Tomorrow Tofu and I will cut across Oregon the long way. Instead of going through Burns (been there-done that), we’re going through John Day (never been there). Lynnie had an Aunt and Uncle who lived in John Day with their kids. John Day is one of the few places Lynnie has visited and I haven’t seen. Another one is Condon, Oregon. Lynnie was there for her brother Skip’s second marriage. There were lots of flies. Anyway, I’m not going that far. John Day, Prineville, Madras, Redmond and then Bend. We’re due to arrive home in Corvallis on Wednesday. I’m ready. I’m sure Tofu will be glad to see the backyard, her cat-er-familia and of course the rest of her pack.
Love.
Travels with Tofu 
John! I have loved reading about your journey across the US! Your photos are fabulous. You have also convinced me to try a Motel 6 out.
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I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the ride. As you consider Motel 6, keep in mind it is one step above where I started, tent camping.
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I have always wanted to see The Kam Wah Chung & Co. State Historic Site in John Day, but was there on a day it was closed. I just looked it up and it looks like it closed for the season on Oct 31. Maybe if you are lucky, the interpretive center will be open. Glad you are nearing home!
Ann
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Thanks Ann, I’ll check it out.
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Glad you are in Oh-ree-gone! I miss you! Keep being safe!
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Ann has a good idea. Beth and I went to Kam Was Chung and it was really worth seeing. The interpretive center is good too.
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Kam Was Chung?
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Welcome back to Oregon! Stay safe on the last bit of your journey. Still interesting places to see yet though.
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Peggy’s phone is(541) 315-0062 if you want to say Hi on your trip. She’s retired now…at least for the moment….and could probably meet you in town if you like. I’m sure you’re more than ready to be home, though, after this long trip!
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Glad to hear that you are almost home – you have been out wondering long enough! Thanks so much for taking us along for the ride – have seen many places where I’ve never been, and now have more places that I would like to go. Hope that the journey was all you needed it to be. See you and Tofu soon!
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What a ride! Among all the interesting places you’ve been, I also appreciate seeing some of the land and roadside markers in SE and central Oregon. Some of these I’ve come by without having time to stop. The mountains around John Day are indeed unique and stunning. There’s no way into town except through scenic beauty. Too bad that the historical site was closed. Definitely worth a trip on its own, as suggested. Four Rivers center in Ontario also gives a look at diversity in Oregon history. That long ditch made by Chinese immigrant labor was a stark contrast to the Chinese exclusion laws passed by Congress in the later nineteenth century.
Anyway, we’re all glad that you’re back safely and once again free from sales tax! Welcome home, John and Tofu!
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