The “continental breakfast” at the Copper Queen was actually really good. Normally the hotel tosses out some bagels and cheap muffins and a pot of coffee. The Copper Queen put out an actual spread: scrambled eggs, sausage, muffins, French toast, waffles, fruit, yogurt, you name it, they had it. Oh, no bacon, at least not that I saw.
And their free wifi was broken, but the desk staff didn’t know anything about it so I was kinda screwed there, which partially explains why I didn’t post that night. Sorry.
…and then I was off.
804 miles, per teh google. I started out around 10:00 AM. It was hot. I stopped several times for gas. Funny, but the cheapest gas I got was in Portland (had to return the rental with a full tank).
Really, nothing much happened. I didn’t have many interactions with people. Had dinner in Boise – and I broke my self-imposed rule about “no corporate food” by eating at Wendy’s.
Honest. Nothing much happened. I just drove and drove. The views driving along the Snake River were amazing – that valley is phenomenal. I was also impressed, once again, by the change in scenery as I crossed from Idaho to Oregon. The mountains on the Oregon side of the border take my breath away.
But… yeah. Nothing much happened. I listened to my music. I drove. I thought, and thought some more. I texted Tracy when I could.
Nothing. Nope. Just drove. Really. Why are you looking at me like that?
Oh… right. Yeah, I did stop in Wells, Nevada, briefly. Is that what you’re thinking of?
I was just curious about the legal brothel there. Had a beer. Corona. They had no limes. Talked to Kat, the bartender, a tall older lady. Looked in the book – pictures of all the employees. Just curious. Talked to Sophie, one of the employees. Got a tour; saw the heart-shaped bed, the hot tub. Ended up in Sophie’s room – that place is really a maze, you know?
I guess most of the girls were still waking up, which seemed odd to me ’cause it was after 1:00 in the afternoon.
Sophie was nice, y’know. But she seemed a bit frustrated when I just repeated myself: “I think I’m just going to finish my beer and be on my way.” I said it several times. She kept wanting to “party” but I had a long drive still ahead of me.
Eventually Sophie brought me back to to the front room. Kat came out and asked me if I wanted to sit with any of the other girls. I repeated myself about finishing my beer. Kat nodded, looked away, and said, “So… you just came in for the experience, then?”
I nodded.
She said, “Well, if you’re from another state, it probably seems odd. But here, it’s just another business, y’know?”
I thought about all the strip clubs in Oregon, but I spoke words of agreement. I tossed a tip on the bar, feeling a little guilty for taking up their time (but not that guilty), and I got in my car.
Then I was on my way again. Just wanted to be home.