New Cute Things I Discovered About Joseph, Oregon

• In the town of Joseph lives 1 Buddhist monk who has built a monastery. There she holds weekly meditation and Dharma talks.
• One time a cougar was killing lots of cattle so the town of Joseph gave permission to everyone to shoot the cougar on any land. Well, the cougar was shot on the monk's land and she took the dead cougar and held a Buddhist death ceremony in the center of town. The ranchers were not happy.
• Wild sweet sage grows everywhere in the summer.
• Skinny dipping is welcomed on the local side of the lake, away from the tourists.
• The town isn't as dog-friendly as I would have liked (this is not cute).
• Tourists come in hordes to gaze at the mountains from their bus windows and visit Chief Joseph's grave site during the sunny months.
• You can set up camp on any forested land in the town of Joseph.
• The photographer to the Butthole Surfers lives part-time there. Did you even know they were still around let alone have their own photographer?
• The county is paid by the railroad company to park train cars throughout the county. Some locals are upset by this. Dave and I think it adds to the west lore.
• Every home in Joseph has a view from their backyard similar to the photo above. Isn't that freaking amazing???
• AND there are lots of people who don't even own keys to their homes.