We crossed the Oregon-Idaho border today and stopped in Idaho City to visit a placer mining site near the Granite Creek Trailhead. One thing we learned quite fast: It can get hot – as in at least the 90s plus range.

So, many members of the Chinese Heritage Tour of the American West were smart. They broke out what they needed to stay relatively cool or the sun out of their eyes and off their heads.

One member brought this nifty fan with a water bottle attached. Others broke out their wide-brimmed hats and stylish eyewear to combat the sun’s glare.

Stan tied a bandana to protect his head and also went for the cool eyewear look.

We head by bus on Saturday to Nevada. Once we’re in Nevada, Fred Frampton, a USDA Forest Service archaeologist, and scholar Sue Fawn Chung will point out important sites for Chinese American history.

But Frampton warned tour members on Friday to be prepared for heat – possibly in the 100s. He encouraged us to wear sunscreen or long-sleeve shirts to avoid getting burned.

“You might see a cloud,” he joked. “I’ve seen a cloud once.”

Note that Dorothy Ng, tour coordinator, and Aleta Eng, co-tour leader, have done a great job of keepingĀ the group’sĀ bus, “America,” well stocked with bottles of water.

But hey: What happened to all that great Seattle weather from June?

You know, when it was so gray and overcast that you thought February had returned?