Lostine, Oregon

**Warning** This post contains no original pictures because I failed to take any that were worth a hoot.  Click on the links for some amazing photography.  Here's one from Travel Oregon's website:

The trip to Wallowa Lake is punctuated in several spots with surprises.  When I was a kid in the cab of the pick-up with four others on the way to Wallowa Lake, Lostine always make me sigh.  It was one of the many spots in the road which seemed to do nothing but slow you down.  "Dad, is this Enterprise?" would be one of the questions my sisters or I would ask on the outskirts of Lostine.  Much to our dismay, we still always had many little towns and many more miles to go.  

I have gained a new appreciation for Lostine in my many travels to Joseph and Wallowa Lake, primarily because it has surprised me on several occasions.  The first surprise was the refurbishment and complete re-tooling of the Lostine Tavern.  

In the rural west of the United States, to be considered a town, three things are needed - a church, a school, and a tavern.  Think about it, more business, political maneuvering, and relationships have gotten their respective starts at taverns than any other type of establishment.  Taverns are critical to the vitality and health of a community.  The original Lostine Tavern fit this bill.  However, the new Lostine Tavern is amazing.  Here's some info from their website: "The Lostine Tavern is an historic building in the town of Lostine, Oregon, population 203. It was built in 1900 from locally quarried Bowlby stone by E.L McKenzie as a pharmacy and doctor's office. It also housed a Masonic Lodge and became the town tavern in the 1940s. It has long been a social center for this ranching and farming community. In restoring the building, the current owners strived to continue the legacy of this landmark gathering place. It was listed in November 2014 on the National Register of Historic Places."  Food and ambience make this place a must stop on your way to Wallowa Lake.

After lunch or dinner, mosey on over to M. Crow & Co. to see what a store looked like 100 years ago.  Their product mix is a little like Sweet & Salty Chex Mix - unique.  there's a new experience every move you make in the store  

You should also grab a coffee at the Blue Banana, which you absolutely can't miss when you drive by.  

I'm not exaggerating when I say I used to hear the word Lostine and become deflated.  Now, I'm happy to say I look forward to my trips on Oregon's Beaten Path to Lostine.