Wilson Price Hunt Trail (‘Astorians’) 1811 — 1812

Day 26: September 7th, 2006 Boise — Ontario

Also today I have breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I take the camera already with me to save me another trip back to my motel. Unfortunately I was not able to have a lot of sleep due to the Interstate. Around half past eight I pay and walk over to the mechanics.

I arrive a bit too early, but they allow me to do my video taping anyway. Keith explains everything exactly to me and I almost have difficulties to follow his explanations with my camera. But what is really impressing is how clean this whole garage is! Also when listening to his explanations I have the impression, they know what they are doing. When I pack my stuff together, the owner tells me, that my U–joints at the drive axle look a bit worn out. It is not necessary to do it right now, but if I want to, they are still able to do it within the given time frame. I ask him about the costs and this will be another $150. Then they shall also do this job.

Regarding the shuttle service I shall check with the motel, how long I can stay there. Maybe the owner Don is able to give me a ride. I say thank you and start my wack to the motel. I put my camera in the room and take the post cards with me. At the reception I ask where I can buy some stamps. Maybe at Wal–Mart, but they are not really sure. I could stay in my room until 3pm, that would be fine. This is really perfect!

So I walk over to the nearby Wal–Mart. There I must learn, that they don’t have stamps for overseas postcards. And they also don’t know, how much they would cost. There is a post office just down the road. But this is not really close. Anyways, I have plenty of time, so I start my walk.

The distance turns out to be really far. Around 11am I arrive at the post office, which is at least two miles away. The postcards are now more expensive and cost 75cent instead of 70. Therefore I must stick two stamps with 70 and 5cent. Lucky me, also these are self adhesive stamps. After 10 minutes of sticking stamps I have finished my work and hand over my postcards.

Then I start my way back to the motel. It feels like the way back takes forever and I almost feel slightly aching muscles due to this long distance walking. Nevertheless, I walk on to Precision Automotive and visit Dodie. We chat for a while, also with her helper Erika. Then I walk back to my motel.

Economy Transmission, Boise, ID

Around half past two I call my mechanic and they tell me, that my car is ready. But there is no one around to pick me up. I shall call a cab. This is now really annoying a bit, but I have no other choice. I check out and order a cab for these couple of yards. The driver is also not really happy to have such a short drive. Nonetheless, we are still having a nice conversation. He is originally from Budapest and is already working around here for a couple of years.

When I arrive at the mechanic, I put my stuff in my car. Then I enter the office to pay. The bill is as announced before. However, no one wants to get in front of my camera. So I only take a picture of the garage front.

At 4pm I depart, first to Wal–Mart to get some apples, water and rolls for my photo. Because I am not sure how things are with dinner and motel at Weiser, I decide to drive to Ontario (the city) in Oregon. There is a Motel 6. But first I still drive through Boise.

On Highway 44 I finally leave Boise.

First I drive through Middleton.

Highway 20/26, ID

Then I drive through Parme and on some backroads.

Finally I arrive in Fruitland, Idaho.

Then I cross the state line to Oregon and drive to Ontario and the local Motel 6, where I check in around half past six. I put my stuff into the room and check the couple of video taping of today. Suddenly I receive a call and they ask me, if everything is fine with my room! That is really customer service!

Around half past seven I leave for dinner. They recommend the steakhouse “Nichols”, just back to Idaho. On the menu is only a sirloin, which is pretty expensive. For a restaurant like this, the price looks extremely high. But who cares. When my meal arrives, I understand why: That is almost 20oz! This is something my server could have told me!

But therefore the steak is so much marbled, that I have to cut out almost half of it. Also the service is not really great. First it takes forever until I receive my Coke. Then I wait for an eternity for my check. This restaurant pretty much looks like a tourist trap. I will definitely not be there again. Around half past eight I pay and drive pretty much pissed off to my motel.