So, Option #3 It Is – Life of Brian

Inside Dale

I figured 8 hours on mostly empty backroads beats 3 hours on I-84, so Option #3 was chosen for the trip home. I went to the Dale post office first. I spent a few minutes chatting with the proprietor. He told me that he serves between 20 and 25 folks. The building he is in was erected in 1929 to replace the original one across the street that was there since 1892.

From there, I continued south to US-26, where I could capture 3 more bonus post offices, and it would take me pretty much straight home. I thought it might take 8 hours to get back, but it turned out to be an hour less, and that included a couple of snack breaks and a lunch with a fill-up in Madras. With discretion being the better part of valor, I opted to fill the tank even though the Miata said I could go 120 miles and Google Maps was telling me it was a mere 108 miles to home. 🙂

: Dale The post office website says this unit’s address is in Ukiah, and Google Maps says its address is in Long Creek. I’m going with Dale. (9/2/25)

: Mount Vernon There was no good spot to park the car to get it directly into the photo, but if you look to the left of the “blue box,” you’ll see its reflection. I did this once before for Midland over 5 years and 275 post offices ago. (9/2/25)

: Dayville The town was named for the John Day River, but what really caught my eye on the Wikipedia page was that the mayor was listed as Peter Bogardus… (9/2/25)

: Mitchell There was no parking out front, and this lot held 4 slots, but it is narrower than this photo makes it look. Even in the Miata I had to back up, move forward a bit, and back up again so I could get out. (9/2/25)