You know it's lonely country when you get excited about seeing a ranch in the distance.

... or a grain elevator and a few buildings.

When you get to the edge of the hills it's an abrupt change. The road tops a hill, and there's nothing but daylight off in the distance. Pretty soon the road comes to an overlook, and you have to take a look. And there lies Clarkston, Oregon straight ahead and Lewiston, Idaho at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Folks, it's a sudden drop down from the high hills that you've been traveling all day, and a real surprise to the uninitiated!

This is beautiful rugged country, born of geologic catastrophy.

Next we'll take a jet boat down Hells Canyon of the Snake River.