Minam Living

On p. 115 of my book, A Wallowa Gal, I describe a quiet morning in my cabin in the Minam. "The Minam" refers to Minam Canyon, where in the past there was a town called Minam. It's at the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa Rivers.

Some would not appreciate the isolation of living here, but as an introverted writer, it was heaven to me. When summer's heat was captured by the canyon walls, it was easy to feel baked. Petey and I would either go sit in the river or just "shade up." That is, keep the cabin as cool as possible with drawn shades, and then simply ride it out. 

I had to watch out for rattlesnakes for myself and Petey. But we only saw one, which was enough for me. I kept Petey inside while the landlord killed it with his shovel as it was crawling under my porch. It was about five feet long and must have just eaten for it was traveling slow. Petey would have been all up in that endeavor and probably would have made it worse. 

When Petey Podengo gets in ferocious mode, there's no telling what could happen.

Minam Canyon is a very special place to me. My last residence in Wallowa County. At least for now.