Travel diary: In search of a fertile land

La Grande, OR

My homeward journey continues across Oregon.

Foggy mornings in Oregon

Arlington, OR

Holy Fuck Fog Song

Mountains

Oregon feels shrouded in perpetual gloom. East of Portland, the cities don't have all-you-can-eat joints. Civilization is sparse. I'm wagoning onward to more a habitable environment of Idaho.


Playing flute

Baker City, OR

Freedom of Musical Expression (improvisation)

Faure Sicilienne + more improv

Supermoon

Morning news has been talking about this full moon at closest orbit to Earth, making it appear bigger in the sky than usual. Too much fog to see clearly. But it was big and bright and low and orange.


Hey, hey, my, my. Out of the blue and into the red

TV news reports there have been student protests and scattered rioting in Portland, OR. Hundreds of people blocking city streets and carrying signs: "Not my president" after the 2016 presidential election. I'm disappointed as they are, but rejecting the outcome is futile. I believe we ought to protest Trump on the issues so we can affect policy, not complain that he won the election.

Crossed into Idaho this morning, leaving Oregon.

Potential City to Live In

Caldwell, ID is a pretty town with College of Idaho across from a Chinese buffet. I'm looking for a place to sleep (i.e. Walmart parking lot), a place to loiter (i.e. college or public library), and a place to eat (i.e. super buffet) - all close together to save money on gas. This could work...

Caldwell, ID

Assorted snapshots

Academic graffiti at College of Idaho :-)

A mean ol' acid

I like how the acid has a Frenchie mustache and acts snooty.


Ulix is telling me I need to clean my car.

Gay-looking bears at Arrowhead Travel Center in Pendleton, OR.

Big bear: "ROAR! Imma rape your butt."

Little bear cubs: ":-) :-) We're gonna get fucked in the butt."

Do this, don't do that. Can't you read the sign?

*IF* you skateboard, then you are trespassing.
If I'm trespassing but not skateboarding, then
the contrapositive of the inverse is false...
so then... umm... logic too hard.

I like how they say if you skateboard then you're trespassing, and imply they will prosecute you for trespassing - when the sign says no skateboarding. It's illegal to skateboard on private property in Oregon, let's leave it at at that!

Why make it so complicated? It's like when the government arrests mobsters, not for making money through illegal activity, but for not paying income tax on it.

"As ridiculous as it sounds, the federal government requires that money acquired through illegal means be reported and taxed just like legitimate income. It's right there on the official IRS tax instructions: "Income from illegal activities, such as money from dealing illegal drugs, must be included in your income on Form 1040, line 21, or on Schedule C or Schedule C-EZ (Form 1040) if from your self-employment activity."

Not surprisingly, tax experts say few criminals declare their loot.

But some do, often when they've either been caught during that tax year or think they are about to be caught, says Stephen Moskowitz, a San Francisco tax attorney at Moskowitz LLP who has helped several clients document their illegal gains. Their goal is to avoid getting charged twice: once for their initial crime, and again for evading the taxes on their windfall. After all, it was tax charges that ultimately put away Al Capone"
- http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/28/news/economy/illegal-income-tax/

Map of route 84 through Oregon.

Guys! A car is much faster than a bicycle. It's incredible! I traveled across Oregon in no time!

Bicycle vs Car

But I miss some aspects of bicycle traveling:

• I can stop anytime I'm lost and check directions
• I can get into parks after gates are closed.
• Fresh air and exercise included
• Can never run out of gas
• Can't lock myself out
• No fear of parking or traffic tickets
• No fear of getting car towed
• Don't need to wipe the inside moisture off my car windows in the morning
• Bicycle always starts up - does not require a battery... because sometimes I use the laptop plugged into the car too long