Ghost Town

Years ago we took our kids to a ghost town high in the Colorado mountains.  There were a couple of minor river crossings to get there, which delighted our children.  Walking around in the totally deserted town was a bit eerie but we all loved it.

When George told me that there was a ghost town just north of Enterprise, Oregon where we were planning to spend the night, I was interested.

Turns out that Flora, Oregon is not your typical ghost town.  There are abandoned buildings but somehow it isn't very spooky when the road by them is busy and modern farm equipment is all around.  Founded in 1897, by 1910 it had a population of 200 residents and an eight-room school.  It is considered 'the most substantial town to fail' in North East Oregon.

The Flora School, which was built in 1915, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a pioneer arts education center.  You can see it back behind the precariously leaning church building.

The town was names after the daughter of the first postmaster, A D Buzzard.  

Flora Buzzard

The post office operated from 1890 to 1966.

Not quite as exciting as I had expected but it was a pretty drive up Joseph Canyon.

Where I've lived

 Every place I have ever lived has been wonderful.

In doing a quick count of the places I have called home, I realized that I lived in Arkansas, New York, Rhode Island and Maryland before I was 6 years old.  Then two years in Sicily

After that the count goes:

10 years in Lonoke, Arkansas 

2 years in Mississippi

2 years in Utah

13 years in Colorado

1 year in California

5 years in Barcelona, Spain

8 years in Oregon

But the place I've called home for the longest time is Boise, Idaho. 21 years - divided between 1988 - 1995; 2000-2008; 2018 to 2022.

Each of these places has something I loved.  Arkansas was home to my ancestors for many years. My roots are there.  Mississippi was where I learned to be independent from my parents and made so many life long friends.  Utah is where I met my husband.  Colorado was our 1st home as a couple and as a family of 6.  California is where we become parents for the first time. The years in Barcelona changed us all completely.  Oregon introduced us to some amazing people and where we became involved with Kenya Keys.  Here in Idaho we learned to expect the unexpected like seeing Santa riding his horse on Christmas Eve!

What will the future hold?  More places to call home?

More people to meet?  More adventures?

More learning? More challenges?

Bring on 2023.  The year I turn 70!