Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Ghost Town, A Man Who Died 4 Times, and Cows With 2 Heads

Oh, the stories we have collected.

In our recent journey, we traveled to North Eastern Oregon, where a man named John Day baffled everyone with his life story. He was a hunter. A strikingly tall, handsome man who boasted of being impenetrable, while being overindulgent. During one of his journeys, he was attacked by Indians, robbed, and left to wander naked along the river. Locals started calling this river the John Day River, and within a very few years, so did the maps.

Fast forward to 2007, and a valley, two cities, a fossil bed/National Monument, and a dam are now known under the same name. John Day must have been really popular to gain such reverence without actually visiting these areas named after him. (See what running around naked can do for your persona?) His life was so remarkable yet ambiguous - historical records show several entries and reasons for his death: a) became deranged and suicidal, ran away into the woods, b) suffered severe depression and died, c) lived a fruitful life hunting and went peacefully in a cabin by the river, and d) gone incognito until 19th century paparazzi couldn't find him no mo.

Inside and around this county lie several abandoned towns. It was, after all, part of the Oregon Trail. But, like butter melting on a hot pancake, the gold ran out, the Natives pushed out and the environment heavily defiled - leaving the West coast with a brand new spankin' city and a totally awesome state that's now San Francisco, CA. Back in John Day, we took Fox for a trip to see these ghost towns, and he was purty pleased. Can you tell why?


The photos above are remnants of an 1880s boomtown during the gold rush, back when 5,000 people populated the area. Now, all that stand (stand leaning, I should say! hahaha) are these neglected structures - however, they still seem to function, in fact most of them look -nay, FEEL like the owners will be back soon before night fall.

Major creepy.

Don't miss the second part of A Ghost Town, A Man Who Died 4 Times, and Cows With 2 Heads - coming soon!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!
No Hooos, Just Booos!

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for your birthday wishes! I miss you guys! I hope your halloween was amazing- we definitely had a good time. thanks for keeping me updated on all your adventures- it all sounds amazing.

love to you and chris.

Anonymous said...

Nice! These photos are really beautiful. Good job! I think I can see why Fox was so pleased since there is a store named after him. Did he enjoy exploring his roots?

Anonymous said...

Awesome travel/historical story!

I was particularly struck by this perfect (IMHO) simile:
"But, like butter melting on a hot pancake, the gold ran out..."

Only one thing would have made even more fitting to the era: "on a hot SOURDOUGH pancake"

Anonymous said...

Excellent narrative, beautiful photos, and cute dog. I look forward to your next post.

Anonymous said...

Wow interesting storey...

Unknown said...

Thanks Missy, check back often or subscribe (free) for updates! How many feet do you travel with? ;)

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