Saturday, July 20, 2024: … A Second View Of The Mountains & River Along The ZMM Narrator’s “Tar Road”

The ZMM Narrator says =>
… “Pretty mountains, pretty river, bumpy but pleasant tar road .” . .

Rt-13, Along The South Fork Of The Clearwater River, Kooskia, ID.

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Clearwater Battlefield Site with the Clearwater River in the Background. (See Below For Why No ZMM Town Photo For This Location.)

….“old buildings, old people on a front porch . . . strange how old, obsolete buildings and plants and mills, the technology of fifty and a hundred years ago, always seem to look so much better than the new stuff. Weeds and grass and wildflowers grow where the concrete has cracked and broken. Neat, squared, upright lines acquire a random sag. The uniform masses of the unbroken color of fresh paint modify to a mottled, weathered softness. Nature has a non-Euclidean geometry of her own that seems to soften the deliberate objectivity of these buildings with a kind of random spontaneity that architects would do well to study.” (Cont. Next)

South Fork Clearwater River, just under 5 miles South of Kooskia, ID. Having been there, I can confirm that the town of Kooskia exactly fits the Narrator’s description. Actually I remember, while parked on the main street, I read and reread this passage, pondering which buildings to photograph.
…At that time, I was afraid that that any picture I would take would be too depressing and uncomplimentary, so no photos were taken. There were other reasons, such as forgetting to think again, shouldn’t I just take some photos, just in case. ….
….But, you can see views along the highway through this area, by going to Blue Link of Previous Photo, and click on Left Side Panel, which Upper Left click on, will give you Google Street View. You can then “GSV Drive” North to views along the highway through the Town of Kooskia, ID.
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(Photo = 110-1088c ...... ZMM Page = 258 ...... WayPt = 274w 1388ft)

According to A TopoZone Map, This Dark Outcrop Is Called “Dirty Head”.
….It Is Probably Volcanic Rock and Likely Part of An Ancient Volcanic Flow Called the Columbia River Basalt Group.
….We Are Entering What Is Known as The Columbia River Plateau: This Is A Massive Volcanic Flow Area, Covering Half of Oregon & Washington. It Is One Of Earth’s Greatest Flows, Having An Average Depth Of Several Miles!

….“Soon we leave the river and the old sleepy buildings …. ” (Cont. Next)

South Fork Clearwater River, just under 5 miles South Kooskia, ID. The volcanic rock seen in the /\ Above /\ Photo, is probably related to additional volcanic formations you will see in my upcoming photos at the top of White Bird Hill and the Salmon River Gorge some 50 miles SSW of here.

Continued From Previous Concerning NO Photos Of Kooskia, ID. .
… Also. I was aware that the Narrator didn’t actually mention this town by name, perhaps for these same depressing and uncomplimentary reasons.
…Or perhaps the name Kooskia had the wrong poetic “ring”? … So, from all this, I finally decided to stick to my policy NOT to photograph towns NOT mentioned in ZMM. Besides, in addition to this policy, I had already many, many, times, chided myself for taking way too many photos! So my camera remained closed .
…. Now I am not so sure I made the right decision not to photograph Kooskia. In fact, as I prepare these pictures for ZMMQG, I discover that I took way too few photos!
….What’s the moral?
….As soon as your “Track of Quality” hand reaches for the camera, take gobs of photos. Don’t hesitate!! The sky is the limit!! And still you will not have enough photos, when you get home, and start to post photo views of your trip!!
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(Photo = 110-1091c ...... ZMM Page = 259 ...... WayPt = 274w 1388ft)

Saturday, July 20, 2024: … A Picturesque Panorama Scene, Showing A Barn, And A Cattle Loading Ramp.
…You Can See That The Road Pavement Is Excellent, and Far Better Than The ZMM Narrator’s ”The road rolls and bumps and rocks …+ There are some bad chuckholes in the asphalt ... ”

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…”Soon we leave the river and the old sleepy buildings and now climb to some sort of a dry, meadowy plateau. The road rolls and bumps and rocks so much I have to keep the speed down to fifty. There are some bad chuckholes in the asphalt and I watch carefully for more.”

NOTE: Similar to the above ZMM Passage, there are number of passages the ZMM Narrator tells us of places where the roads are in bad condition, with “pot holes” which is probable what Rabert Pirsig experienced in 1968.
…However, in 2002, and 2006, and 2024, when I Henry Gurr traveled the ZMM Route Roads, they were all pretty much high quality and nearly all in very good condition.

Rt-13, Just After Starting Up The Slope to The ZMM Narrator’s “Meadowy Plateau”, About 30 Miles, South & A Bit West Of Kooskia, ID.

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Saturday, July 20, 2024: … A Picturesque Farm Scene, Showing A Dirt Lane, Down, Gown To A Barn, And A Semi Truck Trailer.

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…”Soon we leave the river and the old sleepy buildings and now climb to some sort of a dry, meadowy plateau.

Rt-13, About 1000 feet North Of Previous Photo, Just After Starting Up The Slope to The ZMM Narrator’s “Meadowy Plateau”, About 30 Miles, South & A Bit West Of Kooskia, ID.

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As I Followed the Bumpy, Irregular Paved Road Up This Grassy Mountain Side,
….I Suddenly Noticed This Fleeting Deer. With Some Driving Maneuvers, I Was Finally Able To Catch a Picture.

… [ “Soon we leave the river and the old sleepy buildings “ ] “and now climb to some sort of a dry, meadowy plateau.” (Cont. Next)

Half way up the climb to the plateau of Grangeville, ID. Note deer upper left. After I spotted this doe, I followed her as she moved amongst the trees. She moved parallel to the highway, so I kept pace in my car, until I was finally able to get a photo, but only through the car window.
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In a Picture Perfect Grassy Plateau, Our View Is Marred With a Double Dose of Electric Power Poles!

….[ “Near the top …. of a dry, meadowy plateau. “] “The road rolls and bumps and rocks so much I have to keep the speed down to fifty. There are some bad chuckholes in the asphalt and I watch carefully for more. .. We’re really accustomed to making mileage. Stretches that would have seemed long back in the Dakotas now seem short and easy. Being on the machine seems more natural than being off it. We’re nowhere that I’m familiar with, in country that I’ve never seen before, yet I don’t feel a stranger in it.” (Cont. Next)

Three miles East of Grangeville, ID. This high plateau probably owes its existence to a “cap” of tough volcanic rock (ancient lava) that has relatively greater resistance to being worn down by some sixteen million years of weathering.

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On the Top of The Plateau …. There’s The Next Town …. Just As Stated By The ZMM Narrator.

…. “ At the top of the plateau at Grangeville, Idaho, …. ” (Cont. Next)

Grangeville, ID.
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This "Camas Cafe", Just Left Of Center, Is the Only Late1950’s Era Restaurant I Could Find.

….“ … we step from the blasting heat into an air-conditioned restaurant.” (Cont. Next)

226 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.
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Looking Through Glass Front Door, Look Closely To See =>
…Where Is The ZMM Narrator’s “Deep Cool Inside. ”
….Here, “We Pass Unnoticed Through Other Peoples’ Lives. ”

…. “Deep cool inside. While we wait for chocolate malteds I notice a high-schooler sitting at the counter exchanging looks with the girl next to him. She’s gorgeous, and I’m not the only other one who notices it. The girl behind the counter waiting on them is also watching with an anger she thinks no one else sees. Some kind of triangle. We keep passing unseen through little moments of other people’s lives.” (Cont. Next)

Grangeville, ID. Robert Pirsig came this way, in the summer of 1968. Does anyone have a guess who the three “high-schoolers“ might have been?
….It must have been Sunday when I was there, because I found the streets deserted, and nearly everything closed, including this restaurant, despite the mid afternoon hour.

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(Photo = 110-1116c ...... ZMM Page = 259 ...... WayPt = 280w 3431ft)

Added July 2024: … The Above Google Street View, Shows The Likely ZMM Narrator’s Grangeville Idaho Restaurant, Which In At 126 East Main Street ,Grangeville, ID.
…ON The Main Highway Rt-13, Which Practically Goes Straight West, Through This Small Town.
…Now Named “The Three Mile Restaurant”, This Is The Only 1960’s Style, Soda-Fountain Restaurant, Which Could Be The ZMM Narrator’s “Deep Cool Inside. ”

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…“Highway 13 follows another branch of our river but now it goes upstream past old sawmill towns and sleepy scenery. … At the top of the plateau at Grangeville, Idaho, we step from the blasting heat into an air-conditioned restaurant.”

Rt-13, Grangeville, ID.

NOTE:
…When Henry Gurr was at this restaurant, June 2002, it was closed and was unable to get photos of inside the building. … And when here in July 2024 we were able to get a good noon meal & take many photos, but due to camera failure, they got gone.
…Fortunately however, Goole found the NEXT 7 photos. Showing what this restaurant looks like inside.

File = GoogStVu ThreeMileR. estaurant E.MainGrangevillID.jpg

Added July 2024: … A Closer View Of The Most Likely ZMM Restaurant In Grangeville, Idaho.
…Notice Over The Door The Name Of This Restaurant “THREE MILE”.

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “Deep cool inside. … ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = 2021-03-08

Added July 2024: …A General View Inside The Three Mile Restaurant.

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “Deep cool inside. While we wait for chocolate malteds … ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = 2022-06-16 (1)

Added July 2024: …Inside The Three Mile Restaurant, A Listing Of The Special Dinners Ready To Serve.

he ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “Deep cool inside. While we wait for chocolate malteds …”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = 2023-04-22

Added July 2024: … Inside The Three Mile Restaurant, A Closer View Of The Listing Of The Special Dinners Ready To Serve.

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “Deep cool inside. While we wait for chocolate malteds I notice a high-schooler… ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = 2022-06-16

Added July 2024: … Inside The Three Mile Restaurant, A View Of The Soda Fountain Serving Counter.
…In Your Imagination, Please Visualize A High-Schooler Sitting At The Counter Exchanging Looks With The Gorgeous Girl Next To Him.”

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “I notice a high-schooler sitting at the counter exchanging looks with the girl next to him. She’s gorgeous, and I’m not the only other one who notices it. The girl behind the counter waiting on them is also watching with an anger she thinks no one else sees. Some kind of triangle. We keep passing unseen through little moments of other people’s lives. … ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = 2023-04-22 (1)

Added July 2024: … Back In July 1968, This Is What Chris’s “Chocolate Malted”, Could Have Looked Like!

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “chocolate malteds … ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = PXL 20~1

Added July 2024: … Back In July 1968, This Is What The ZMM Narrator’s “Chocolate Malted”, Could Have Looked Like!

The ZMM Narrator says =>
…. “chocolate malteds ”

Rt-13, 126 East Main Street, Grangeville, ID.

File = PXL 20210305 031925841 1