Day 8: Tough Trails

This morning we packed up camp in Wallowa and headed towards Umatilla, OR. We headed straight to the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservtion  (CTUIR) and met Wenix Redelk (Departmemt of Natural Resources Education and Outreach Coordinator for CTUIR). She showed us a Power Point of First Foods Management  (traditional foods used by the tribes). It was pretty educational.

Later, Wenix took is to the Meacham Creek Restoration Project. In order to get to the project, we had to travel quite a ways on a sketchy gravel rode. On the way there,  Wenix rode with Band Wagon and they ended up stopping in the middle of the road. Turns out, they had a flat tire. It also turns out MY van, Flaming Eagle, also had a flat tire. Geo, a White Swan student came to the rescue and helped change the tires and we made it to the project.  The project itself was really interesting. When the railroad was built, they changed the course of the Meacham Creek by pinning it against the foot hills to prevent flooding the tracks.  Now they are reversing the effects of the railroad builders by restoring the natural pattern of the stream.  This restoration is allowing for native salmon species to return and spawn successfully.

We left the project and made our way back, BUT, surprise surprise,  War Poney got not one, but TWO flat tires!!!! Ughhhhh. If you're keeping track for this trip, thats one flat for White Fox before our trip even started,  one flat for War Poney near Madras, OR, one flat for Band Wagon, One flat for Flaming Eagle, and TWO more flats for War Poney. Thats SIX flats!!! The most unfortunate part about the tire situation is that War Pony only had one spare and they had to wait, stranded in the heat, until there second spare arrived.

Wenix allowd our exhausted crew to set up camp in her back yard and made us feel right at home. She and her sister opened up their homes to 25 strangers. We were able to play volleyball and finally sit and relax. For the first time this trip, I didn't feel homesick at all, at least not until I called home and talked with my family. Later, Wenix and her sister made us Indian Tacos for dinner (YUMMM!). After dinner,  while some of us were waiting to shower, Wenix allowed us to sit in her house and watch Pitch Perfect. It was a perfect end to a rough day.