Image I Like: Foot

(Drawing from memory. The foot of a man in Cáhuil, Chile)

The Farmer's Market

In Madison, I went with Fernando on Saturday mornings to get scones and whatever else looked good. Here in Portland, without my companion, I headed out their Farmer's Market to do what seems normal. Naturally, the produce varies here in Oregon. There was okra, artichokes, Gala apples, red pears, peaches, blueberries, oysters, salmon, white and aubergine eggplants and the usual suspects. They sold pizzas, pies, wine and tarts. I found a scone vendor offering mulberry or (I think this is what I read) miriamberry (if you know about this please inform). I could not tell the difference. The prices are a little bit higher in Portland (although the scones were 50¢ less than their Madison equivalent). Overall a third the size, the market was bustling and more densely arranged than in Wisconsin. There were many dogs. It was more colorful. I came out carrying artichokes, beets, peaches, red pears, tomatoes and a scone. I think I was a bit ambitious, but I had a great time making the rounds.

Silver Buckle Press Web Site

A project I had a hand in: the Silver Buckle Press website.

Boise to Portland & Portland

I made it to Portland. I am happy to report that I did it in the day after the tumbleweed/dust storm. The drive was mostly along the Columbia River, although there were several steep passages of sagebrush covered hills. Now, Pacific Time.

So far, I have found Trader Joe's, another grocery store, the DMV, and my work--the Oregon College of Art and Craft (it's very near my house). Internet is being provided by the latter. I have unpacked, settled (as much as possible in 2 days), gone to work, and I now have Oregon (pronounced: OR-a-gun) plates on my car.

My house is rather odd to describe, so I will post pictures later. It's big and I am sharing it with 2 other women and whatever visiting artist happens to come be there. I have my own bathroom and ground floor view out into the back yard (trees, a small patch of grass, some scrub jays). There are blackberries growing nearby (my job for this evening) and a holly plant near my window. It would be a great house for hosting parties (and it may prove itself).

Overall, I am overwhelmed. But, everything seems okay.

West Yellowstone, Montanta to Boise, Idaho

Yesterday I started my day in the crisp air of West Yellowstone, Montana. From there I traveled through Yellowstone, south to Grand Teton National Park. It was beautiful. I crossed the Continental Divide at +8300 feet. High. Jackson, Wyoming was next. I crossed into Idaho by way of a hairy mountain ascent and descent with 10% grade. I have always pictured Idaho as flat and boring. But, it's all mountains and hills and outcroppings and crop fields strategically located here and there. I saw wheat fields on flats with rocky mountains in the far distance. At Craters of the Moon National Park I crossed a former lava flow. It reminded me of lava flow at Volcán Arenal in Costa Rica, only flatter and without volcano. Then, a drove into the scariest unknown--a brown yellow cloud wall. It was reminiscent of the nightmares I've had so many times of purple tidal waves that come out of nowhere. What was it? A wind storm complete with thick dust and tumbleweed and high wind. It was hard to drive and so foreign to me. I stopped in Boise for the evening.

(Grand Tetons from a roadside turn out.)

(Idaho in the middle of nowhere.)

(Craters of the Moon National Park with distant crater-topped mountain.)

(Rocks on the roadside.)

(Ominous wind storm cloud.)

Yellowstone Videos

Bubbling paintpot at Yellowstone.



Old Faithful.



Buffalo on the road.

Wyoming and Yellowstone Images

(View just outside of Greybull, Wyoming)

(Shoshone Dam from above to below. Outside of Cody, Wyoming.)

(Photos of thermal features in Yellowstone. Each had it's own hot temperature and chemical color.)

(Waiting in the viewing area for Old Faithful.)

(The famous, Old Faithful.)

(Yellowstone Park at dusk.)

Man, I Dig Wyoming

I went from Greybull into Yellowstone National Park yesterday. I ended up in West Yellowstone for the night. Everything is beautiful. Wyoming is fascinating.

I will post more details later when I am not stretching to get an internet signal.

South Dakota to Wyoming

My day began in Kadoka/flat South Dakota and in 20 minutes I was in the Badlands National Park. From that strange landscape I drove into the Black Hills to Mount Rushmore, then on into Wyoming. From there my soundtrack has been Jack Kerouac's "On the Road," read by Matt Dylan (this will continue on through tomorrow). After sunset, under the cover of one of the darkest, darks I have seen, I passed through some difficult driving that I know would have been spectacular in daylight. It was a mountain pass: beginning with a great climb in 2nd gear (yes, my car is an automatic), ups and downs, curves, and an at times hairpin turn descent. I continued driving through some small towns elevated at a flat 3800 feet. Tonight, I am typing from the Yellowstone Motel (perhaps a hint at tomorrow's adventures) in Greybull, Wyoming, while a train sounds and passes nearby. I've had a little crush on Wyoming since I read E. Annie Proulx's, "Wyoming Stories." Brokeback Mountain is likely the most famous of those "Wyoming Stories." Below are bits from today's travels.

(South Dakota 5 minutes from Kadoka. Flat.)


(Shadow of my hand at Badlands National Park, 20 minutes from Kadoka. Not flat.)

(The lunar landscape of the Badlands with hints of vegetation.)


(Flowers and the geological formations in the background of the Badlands.)

(The lunar landscape of the Badlands.)

(Standing on the edge.)

(Standing on the moon.)



(Badlands via a drive-and-film maneuver.)

(Mount Rushmore. I thought Abe looked a little lonely, but maybe I was projecting.)

(Dirt road in Wyoming!)

(Suited for cattle country, perhaps? Grates like these were at every off and on ramp.)


(Mountains I crossed in the darkness.)

Long Distance & Long Drive

I haven't completely registered the fact that I drove 700 miles today. It was about 10 hours, including stops at gas stations, rest areas and the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. Tonight, I'm sleeping at a motel in Kadoka, South Dakota. I ate a bad BLT at the HAPPY CHEF restaurant next door (functioning neon on 'P' and 'HE' only).

This morning started well as Fernando made me a smoothie and helped me with the fine details of my trip. I had a coffee too.

(Fernando and me giving each other one last dreamy, starry-eyed stare before my departure for Oregon. Later we battled over who loved who more--it remains unresolved.)

I bought some snacks at Trader Joe's before I left Madison. They had fresh figs (which made me so, so, so, so happy).

Save the Missouri River basin, the entire of South Dakota was flat. There were a few fields of sunflowers that were pretty, and a lot of pheasants in flight and killed on the roadside. Corn. Hay. Mostly, I listened to music.

(This is from a rest area near Kadoka. I couldn't help but notice a JUST SAY 'NO' TO METH poster in the building.)

I'm FINALLY Moving

I didn't leave Thursday morning; I leave tomorrow morning for Portland. My goal is to reach Kadoka, South Dakota. Why there? I found a cheap hotel, and it's close to some oddities. I'll keep posting as I travel westward.

I am stretching my love from Madison to Portland (a minor stretch, since I believe it could wrap around the world several times).

(Sweet Fernando and me being camera shy on a sunnier day)

I am moving to Portland on Thursday and all I have is this coaster-sized print

(4x4 inches, letterpress)

I leave for Portland, Thursday morning.  Goodbye Madison.  Goodbye Wisconsin.  Hello long drive, long-distant relationship, long way from home. New job, new place, new people; change is scary, but it might bring good things.  

Sweet Earl, We'll Miss You