"Lewis & Clark Expedition" - Pacific Northwest
	Day 1:  Saturday, May 11, 2002

The alarm clocks sounded at 3:32am.  I was up and ready by 3:34am (a brief trip under the drippy faucet to wash off, and a brief question in my mind as to why the Boy Wonder doesn't fix that already).  Someone else had managed to somehow get up, turn off both alarms, and fall back into bed.  After perching on his bald noggin, he pulled himself out of bed about 4am.  After getting everything packed, and Baldie stuffing me into a smelly old duffel, we were off; that was at 4:29am.

We stopped for gas in a nearby little town, but of course, it's quite dark, thus, why photograph it.  We also swung by and collected a travel companion; some sort of robin bird.  I did have a need for Chap-Stick, but found the clerk wouldn't open the door given the early hour.  He took one from the shelf and sold it to me at an outrageous price.  I had asked to have it put on my bill (no hands or opposable thumbs), but he apparently didn't get the intent of the request.  Nuts to him. 

We cross over Donner Pass and the Sierras on the way to the first stop (in Reno).  In Reno, we found out you could buy gas there at the same unreasonable prices as you could in California.  Now nice for us.  But the boy got a Diet Pepsi, which made him a little less annoying.  (He apparently managed to find a little time to nap, hence, it's extremely grumpy.  I opted to ignore him most of the day, thus far.)

On the way off, I was happy to learn that Reno is apparently The Biggest Little City In The World... or so it'd seem, if my big, knowledge-stuffed head wasn't in the way.  So, back to the freeway, where I found that in Nevada apparently allows trucks to do some three trailer caravan thing.  Fascinating stuff; if only I was writing a book or something. 

We popped into Winnemucca, which is still adorned with America flags three ways from Main Street.  Literally.  Or, if you're alone and life is bringing you down, you can always go downtown.  From there, you can see fake white horses; it'd bring a tear to the Duke's eye, I'm sure.  Charming local bars, though.  From there we stopped into Battle Mountain, or as they seem to call themselves, BM.  Not too much to the town, though; a single blinking traffic light, and not a single white, fake horse.  Of those businesses we saw, several were closed out.  At least for the M&M Market, I'm guessing there was something to do with using a registered trademark in their store name.

A chilling discovery.  After the Death Star was destroyed in Star Wars, and then destroyed again during Return of the Jedi, Darth Vadar apparently figured the Rebels were on to his plans for floating a giant, synthetic planet to house his minions of evil throughout space.  Instead, to thwart the rebels, the Empire's cronies apparently relocated to Nevada, and changed the name slightly.  What ol' Darth didn't account for was that, regardless of minor name changes, you don't let the Nevada Department of Transportation to post signs giving idle passer-by types the location of your third and greatest endeavor for the Dark Side.

The next stop was popping into Elko.  (Elko, Polo... play it with friends the next time you're in the pool -- hours of fun.)  We took one exit too soon, and ended up wandering around the less than ideal neighborhood.  But we did a somewhat oddly placed white bear in front of a casino (the Commercia?).  What I didn't get is what that has to do with the bear.  While we found the bear easily enough, the quest for agreeable food to the not-at-all picky boy was difficult (and eventually unsuccessful).  What I don't really understand is the lack of anything (beyond the predictable McDonald's) at this exit.  Heck, there was a Wal-Mart, supermarket and strip mall, but nothing that could be ordered and taken in less than 20 minutes (21 minutes or more was Round Table, of which I'm particularly fond.)  Onward.

We turned form I-80 to route 93 north to Twin Falls.  We turned at Wells, Nevada, but beyond two stop signs and a gas status, the photo opportunities were lacking.  We passed through Jackson, Nevada, the last gambling opportunity before Idaho.  Unless, of course, you're traveling from Idaho, in which case, it's the first chance.  But we're all about what we (and not the rest of the motoring community) are doing.  But aside from slowing down through town (two casinos and what I'm sure is usually a speed trap (reduce from 70 to 35, through town, then back up to 70), we were on our way to the Idaho state line. 

We passed through a couple of little towns before arriving in Twin Falls, or final destination for the day.  Wandering through to the southern part of the town, I'm not sure if the city planners are cartoon fans, but it's my suspicion.  We also stumbled across Jim Bob's Bakery and a rather classic-looking church (not a Baptist church, either, but we passed the First Baptist Church right quick).  If you're wondering, Twin Falls is the place for inexpensive eye wear.  And this is also the home of KMVT Channel 11.  Good for them.

Of the best sight, though, is the gorge with the Snake River at the bottom, and the namesake of the town.  Unlike what you may (or may not) think, there are not side-by-side falls, but rather, there are two falls here; Pillar Falls and Shoshone Falls (just a little informational marker).  I'm in front of a set of falls (not currently falling), but I don't know which one - I'm no geography expert, just a duck.  But I think it's Pillar.

And off to dinner.  Pizza Hut, of course -- you may have forgotten I'm traveling with the boy.  Our server, Christy, brunette, very helpful, French manicured nails.  (Not sure what that means, but it makes me sound continental, don't you think?) There was one woman with her three grandchildren who told them to drink their "pop" slowly (no refills, she told them); I enjoyed the use of "pop" in that sentence.  At any rate, we had to head back early, since in this time zone, COPS is on at 7pm.  It seems that earlier mentioned bird doesn't necessarily agree with Pizza Hut... not sure what's supposed to mean.  And now it seems the lad had dozed off, so I think I'm going to tuck myself in as well...