Day 6: Jackson, WY--Bend, OR "Idaho, No You Da Ho, 15 Miles on the Oregon Trail"

Today's 11 hour car ride is brought to you by our sponsors, 600 miles of arid, lifeless desert.

Entertainment: Liz don't want no scrubs

Our sanity was truly tested today on an unending drive through stretches of some of the most desolate land we've ever seen. Long stretches of no cell phone service left us with two options: 1) listen to the only audiobook downloaded on Kathryn's phone (Ann Rule's Lying in Wait) which is a poorly written true-crime story with an obnoxious baby-voiced narrator or 2) entertain ourselves. Spoiler alert -- both options 1 and 2 occurred.

The day began at the crack of dawn, and we were on the road before 7am.  We quickly stopped at a gas station right over the Idaho state line and learned about a new American delicacy, "fancy bread." Roll film on Kathryn paying for coffee:

Gas station lady: "Oh just coffee? No wonder you're so skinny!" 

Kathryn: "Oh well actually we have a huge jar of peanut butter in the car and I wanted a loaf of bread, but it looks like you're all out." 

--Several seconds of stunned silence

Gas station lady: "No, no, no. That cannot be." 

--Gas station lady dashes away from counter into back room, meanwhile, 5-10 impatient construction workers pissily stand behind Kathryn, wanting to quickly pay for their coffee and Lil Debbie breakfast treat. 

Gas station lady: "Oh honey, the bread is on the truck still. I'm so sorry"

Kathryn: "Really, it's okay...just the coffee is fine."

OTHER Gas station lady: "WAIT, NO, THIS CAN'T BE!"

--Dramatic 180-degree turn to see yet another employee dash through the store; construction workers' level of disgruntledness ratchets up several degrees

OTHER Gas station lady: "I've got just the thing. If you don't mind wheat, I've got some FANCY BREAD for ya."

--Magically procures loaf of whole-grain non-wonder bread 

Kathryn: "It's a Christmas miracle"

*end scene*

Needless to say, it was the most delicious bread we've ever tasted, and that's a fact.

Some time later, in the bustling metropolis of Glenn's Ferry, ID, we stopped at a gas station/grocery and encountered a traumatic yet intriguing food product: Bud light with Clamato. Blog readers, please weigh in. Is this really a thing?!?! Or only in rural Idaho is this heinous beverage a reality?

Random conversation snippet from hours later:

Liz: "What is a person from Idaho called? An Idahoan?"

Kathryn: "Just a ho"

Which came first, the chicken or the...goat?

Nearing deliriousness, Liz mistakes a field of goats for chickens, which leads to an overly in-depth conversation about the definition of mammals. Liz is shocked to hear that chickens are not in fact mammals.

Liz's general midday musings for your consideration...a quick snapshot of her inner monologue whilst behind the wheel:

• Best road trip album of all time: Paul Simon, Graceland...hands down.
• Homies need to better obey the basic rules of the road. Don't you dare make me move my foot 2 inches to brake cruise control. Move. The f*ck. Over. 😘
• Pb&J. God's gift. 
• Is Budlight Clamato an actual thing? Spotted this questionable bev somewhere in Idaho (insert gagging noises here)...totally regret not snagging one though #illtryanythingonce

We ended the day by getting to Bend, OR around 5pm. Our awesome Airbnb hosts and their adorable bulldog puppy, Chip, were a welcome sight. After showering we headed into town to explore, and quickly stumbled upon a riverside concert/festival.  We bought some local hats/shirts/bracelets, enjoyed awesome beer and cider, and listened to live music.  Dinner at a nearby restaurant offered unbelievably tasty veggie options. The verdict on Bend? 10/10.

Tomorrow we lazily make our way through the Cascades down to northern CA.

Ciao for now,

L&K