'It's my home, my old home! I've just come across the smell of it, and it's close by here. And I MUST go to it, I must!'

near Grangeville
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Those lines are from Wind in the Willows, when Mole is forced to pass by his old home and leave it behind.  Today I rode up the rode into Grangeville, passing by the road that leads to Elk City.  I blew it many a kiss but kept pushing up the hill.  I was comforted by a few ancient familiars.  I stopped at the convenience store at the end of town where I always ate a push-up popsicle- and ate a push-up popsicle.  I recognized the park where I sometimes played.  There was once a very big slide there, and it's even bigger in my 6 year old mind's eye.  I was also met by yet another former Elk City friend who took me home to Cottonwood, fed me well and gave me a shower and treated me to a stroll around the monastery with views of the surrounding hills- all golden with wheat contrasted with a dark storm hovering in the distance.  What a night to be tucked up comfortable and warm in a real home!  So, fare-thee-well, Elk City. You were good to us all.  Some day I'll come back to you, I promise.

"I know it's a shabby, dingy little place, and I went away and forgot all about it, and then I smelt it suddenly on the road, and everything came back to me with a rush, and when you WOULDN'T turn back, Ratty, and I had to leave it, though I was smelling it all the time, I thought my heart would break."