The section of US 20 from Burns to Vale travels through some very bare hills and then along the Malheur River valley. Pioneers traveling West on the Oregon Trail were always looking for shortcuts. Although this valley is now heavily irrigated and green along the river, the western sections are dry except where they touch the alkali lakes and lake beds. This route became known as "The Terrible Trail" as many pioneers died while using this high desert cut through the mountains. We met up with I84 at Vale. Usually the Pioneers turned north at this point after crossing the Snake River - another river crossing which was very treacherous and killed many pioneers who had survived the long journey from St. Louis. We made the crossing without incident and stopped for a nice picnic lunch at a rest stop before heading into Boise. We are now on Mountain time - closer to home.
After a brief GPS failure due to a recently changed one-way street and the need to turn around in a parking lot we got to the Meridian / Boise KOA. This urban campground is not picturesque, but it is very clean, has a pool, some grass and flowers, and 15' trees that provide bits of shade. It is hot here, but not over 100 as it was the last time we visited Boise. We don't have the most powerful air conditioner, but if we close everything up tight, put insulated covers over the skylights and pull down all the darkening shades the air keeps it reasonably cool until the sun sets and the temps drop in this really dry climate.
Uncle Bud picked us up at the campground in his new red Camry for dinner and a visit with Rick's Boise cousins. It was great to see them again. By the time we returned to our RV the moon was up, the breeze was cool and we could open all the windows to a lovely evening.
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