It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

When I’ve walked 10,000 steps in a day, my phone gives me a cheerful accolade of “da,da,da,done!” That’s what we feel like at this moment. We have arrived! (Never mind that we still have another hour and a half to Bellingham, and a moving day ahead of us. Details!)

The wonders of a restorative night of sleep! I am ready to do a full-fledged, free-of-charge commercial for the Horse Heaven Best Western Inn. Up at our usual early hour of 8 am, we realized we had also gained that hour at the Idaho border. We actually slept until 9 am! (The added pitfalls of room darkening shades and a good fan in the background.) We are destined for late departures. Perhaps the airline industry would be a good fit for us?

A superb full, hot breakfast waiting for us, we enjoyed it as we amused ourselves with the lady trying to vacuum the lobby. The minute she started her work, the phone would ring and she’d have to stop. This went on for a good 15 minutes. She was pretty darn patient, and that was our motto for the day. I’ve already forgotten what my “angel” card was. My daughter had us each pick a virtue for the day out of her grab bag, and it was to guide us in our thoughts and actions. Hers was “freedom.” I inadvertently got three virtues to work on, none of which I can remember right now, but I’m pretty sure I did a fine job of exemplifying each of them. (One of them was not “humility.”)

We were on the road and actually remembered to return our DVD to the grocery mart before heading out of town. We visited the world famous Chukar Cherries factory and store. We took the scenic Yakima Valley Highway, rather than the faster interstate. We wondered where this pass was – the one that kept us staying in Prosser for the evening. I had concluded it was a ruse to get more business into the town, when lo and behold, we did have to pass through a pass. Snoqualmie Pass – beautiful, of course. And there was rock blasting. We would not have made it through there by 8 pm last night, so Prosser received the benefit of our business.

We connected with my Uncle and Aunt via phone and were assured that our arrival time around dinner was just fine. (We know not to miss dinner here as they are fabulous chefs!) Battling Seattle proper traffic, we went to the Chihuly glass museum and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visitor center. We also were just pleased as punch that a festival was being held in the area where we were trying to find parking. It was delightful to squeeze through the streets and lots, finally caving in to a public structure four levels below the street. At least the car was cool. Our wine appreciated that. (oops. we bought some wine!)

I could sit and stare at that glass for hours, but the benches there aren’t that comfortable. We eventually made our way back to the car, and the real city driving began. The usual – 4 pm rush hour on the only main highway through a coastal city. AAAUGHGHGH. Aforementioned daughter navigated like a trooper while I tapped my imaginary brake pedal. Let me take this moment for a commercial break.

COMMERCIAL BREAK: It can be tough to find someone who can put up with you for four days in a car, ignore your stupid remarks, keep the place as neat and tidy as possible, ignore your sarcastic and maybe politically incorrect comments, and not be driven by a personal agenda opposed to your own. My delightful daughter is one of the all-time, greatest travel buddies in the world. She is always upbeat (especially after her morning nap) and thanks you for anything you do for her. (like driving so she can take a morning nap) Easy-going. When the road construction started to irk me, her ever-positive take on life said, “We can read the license plates easier!” She complimented and thanked every single person who waited on us or helped us. I highly recommend a road trip with her. Plus, she packs a car neater than anyone and can wash a windshield extremely well. END

We arrived for dinner, enjoyed cheerful banter with family, and had a wonderful shrimp linguini dinner with strawberry pie as the dessert! We definitely needed and took a walk to get the 10,000 steps on my phone app and hear the fabulous, “da,da,da,done!” I will be returning to Denver with more of me to love, I fear. 10,000 steps isn’t going to quite cut it when it comes to waistline management on a road trip.

So, we pretty much end this trip here. I don’t think I’ll be blogging the rest, because it will be apartment hunting, job application checking, moving, and my eventual return to Denver. I will say that I saw a chair on the road today, and I am sticking to my theory regarding the inherent risks of being a home furnishing in today’s modern world of travel. We failed to find our full 50 license plates and am pretty sure we aren’t going to get them going to the furthermost point in the contiguous United States! I also don’t know how to spell check on my ipad, and don’t really know if “furthermost” is correct. I’m sure one of you can help me with that little grammatical detail. Son? I think I’m right, but I’m sure you’ll let me know. (Don’t look at the punctuation though, because I know I’ve screwed up on some commas.) I hope the photos of our trip turned out, but if not, I know the thought of them is good enough for me. I am most grateful to the gal for whom the aforementioned commercial was made. She took me along on her adventure and I’ll never forget it!

It’s always good to do so…..and that is what is happening this morning. Rest and relaxation and solving the world’s problems! Then back on the road!

Full disclosure…..these missives were initially written on an earlier trip, but they are SO definitely worth repeating!!!

I’d love to say we awoke with the dawn, had a hearty and timely-served breakfast, and then were on the road by 7, per our plan.  We ignored the alarm.  Went to breakfast in historic downtown Butte.  However, Thursdays in Butte must be taxing on the wait staff.  Rolling her eyes at me, our waitress made sure I knew that I was quite an imposition.  Rachel reminded me to be more like Buddy in “Elf” and less like Jovie, his mistrustful girlfriend.  So our crappy cup of coffee paved the way for a truly delicious, however lengthier-than-necessary-to-cook breakfast.  And we kept our cheerful dispositions all day. 

Previously, around 5 a.m., I had awakened remembering why we were staying in Butte in the first place.  (even without your reminder, Uncle Bob!) Our Lady of the Rockies is the second largest statue in the United States, and it sits on the Continental Divide.  (I told you I was tired last night!)  Anyway, after breakfast we sought it out, only to find that it was a bus tour visitation beginning at 10 and ending at 12:30.  We didn’t think we could handle any more time in Butte.  We hit the road. We saw her through the smoke-filled haze of wildfires occurring that year and said a prayer.

The drive.  Wildfires in Washington made for a hazy drive the entire day.  The sunset last night was gorgeous due to it, but you could smell smoke today.  The roadkill report weakens.  We did see a rug on the road.  Yesterday we had seen a blanket.  Our scientific conclusion is that it is better to be a skunk on I-90 than a home furnishing.  The allure of roadkill reporting is waning.  Trust us, there is little glamour in that job.

We each got a nap in today, and Daughter got to navigate the entry into Idaho, where the road took a deplorable turn, where the time zone changed to PST right on the border, and where Methodists make good coffee. Our first rest stop proved they can do a fabulous job of hosting guests in their state!  We welcomed the caffeine.  Thursdays are the Methodist days, but we failed to learn of any other denominational days.  However, if you’re ever in the state on I-90 on a Thursday, you are in luck!

Lunch – a huckleberry shake – in Coeur d’ Alene.  More smoke and an eventual turn off the interstate brought us closer to our destination: the Yakima Valley.  As you may guess, our late start prompted our late arrival, and we were lucky to find our first vineyard, Chandler Reach, only closing 20 minutes after we arrived.  We also made it to Apex, the one we had discovered on YELP.  They stayed open for the first time ever – until 6 pm tonight.  We were the only ones there, but grateful to have visited two beautiful places.  Fortuitously, the woman at Chandler told us the pass was closing for rock blasting at 8 pm.  This was new to us, as we had no idea we were going to pass through a pass.  (When you’re from Colorado, you can ask, “Where are the mountains?’). Knowing our skill at delay, we decided to plant ourselves in Prosser. 

Prosser is Geneva, Nebraska-sized.   Our dinner was secured at the local grocery store, and then eaten in our room at the Best Western Inn at Horse Heaven.  It is a gorgeous room, big enough for a family of 12, has the standard double locks on the door, and we enjoyed the pool after dinner.  You probably thought we wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves, arriving so early at a place of lodging!  Ever forward-thinking, we also secured a DVD rental from the local mart –  “Grand Budapest Hotel.”  We skillfully handled the rewiring of the TV and computer to get us going.  We actually relaxed and enjoyed the extra hour we gained heading North by Northwest.  Tomorrow  – we conquer the pass and head into Lynnwood, where family anxiously (or tolerantly) awaits us!  

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  (How’s the novel going, Son?)   The exciting news is that we added four new categories to our roadkill chart; bird, snake, coyote and skunk.  Only one of each for those categories, and clearly the fox and rabbits are in the lead otherwise, each with two more to their numbers.  If we were counting insects, the numbers would be fairly astounding.  Our windshield is pathetic, and the whiteness of the Honda only serves to illuminate the guts of all the little creatures we have destroyed.  The worst of times – potentially the evening’s lodging.  It is reminiscent of 1970’s with suspicious characters in the parking lot.  Having a door with three deadbolts is a tad disconcerting, but other than that, we are comfortable.  A clean bed is always welcome, and that we have. 

Today’s adventures began with a hunt for breakfast found at a delightful coffee shop with great croissant egg sandwiches.  (The bagel delivery had not been made for the day or we would have had bagel egg sandwiches. We were up so early!)  That is not true.  We slept in.  The bagel delivery guy must have, also.  If we had been able to stay in Deadwood for the day we could have taken a glass-blowing glass at the coffee shop.  It was quite a multi-focused space. 

We hit the road and wound our way out of the Black Hills – made it to the Wyoming border again for a photo and convivial chatting with a biker couple.  We took each other’s photos, bid adieu, and headed to the Montana border, only minutes away.  After successfully documenting our entry into that fine port, the co-pilot took her daily morning nap.  We passed through beautiful Cherokee and Crow country, all without a bathroom in sight.  Thus, the stop in Ashland was necessary, and the grocery store provided a bit of respite for us, as well as snacks. 

If we had been counting casinos instead of roadkill, we would be in the thousands by now.  I have shirked my duty and not taken my daughter gambling.  Feeling a tad guilty for that oversight, she assured me she had already been gambling with friends and an education in the slots was not necessary.  I am hoping to learn other fascinating facts about my daughter on the trip.

Our biggest stop was a totally fortuitous one.  When my daughter awakened and took over the driving, and the road got a little boring, (ha!) she suggested praying a rosary.  We did so, and quite by divine intervention, we finished it as we came to the entrance of the Little Big Horn national cemetery and battlefield.  It was a beautiful, wind-swept area.  The quaint visitor center had a wonderful film outlining the history of the Sioux nation and their loss of tribal lands and customs.  The Little Bighorn was a victory for them, but a short-lived one.  The death of Custer brought the wrath of the US government upon the tribes.  I think it was only a year or two after that, all Native Americans surrendered and began life on reservations.  Anyway, a sobering monument and worthy tribute.  We were happy that we were making time good, rather than good time.

Our two-lane driving finally came to an end with interstate 90 – good and bad.  Always nice to have a permanent passing lane.  Always boring to be on interstate.  We were hungry about the time we came to Livingston, Montana.  Getting off to head into town, we saw that the Sacajawea park was hosting a Farmer’s Market.  We went there.  Fun!  We acquired more vacation jewelry, a splendid gift for the financier of our trip, Mr. Husbad, and had dinner at the Soba noodle hut.  (I don’t know the name, but it was darn good stir-fry with sriracha.)  We ate and listened to the band.  We were the only ones listening, I believe.  In need of a restroom, and not too excited about the port-a-potties, we headed into town and found a friendly Shopko!  Perfect, as we needed some gum.  Polar ice flavored was our choice for chewing pleasure.  

We then drove out of town and on to Butte where we are currently preparing to sleep.  It won’t take long for that to happen!  Tomorrow we are heading to the Yakima Valley to some wineries.  (totally spur-of-the-moment decision based on the recommendation of the Wyoming Wildlife Conservation guy whom we met at the Sacajawea Park event.). Thus, we have to get some sleep and get up early for real.  No dilly-dallying!  Those tasting rooms close at 5…and our drive looks to be a good six hours.  It’s nice to have a motivation for early departures.  

I’m sure you are riddled with questions about our excursion, possibly dying for more details.  I don’t have any.  I am quite brain dead right now.  Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers for our safe travels.  We are doing quite well.  Oh!  We are down to six state license plates needed for our count.  Apparently the people in South Carolina, Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Hawaii, and DELAWARE do not travel.  Hawaii, we understand.  But surely the peeps in those other states need to get out of there?  It is a challenge we hope to conquer by combing parking lots tomorrow.  (Perhaps after the wine tasting.)  Peaceful slumbers to you….

Peaceful slumbers to you….

The trip began with my co-pilot sleeping the first hour. Riveting. Actually, it truly began with the pilot oversleeping one hour.   Our first stop was only 80 minutes into the drive where we met my son for a tour of his job site in Fort Collins, Colorado and to get some free coffee!

Wow! His cubicle looks pretty official, with the largest whiteboard in the complex.  (He stole it from someone else.) It had lots of cool notes and neat formulas written on it, and his computer screen had some programming on it.  I had no clue what was going on, so obviously I was no security risk for the company.  After our brief building tour, the son had a conference call to attend, so we bid him adieu and headed back on our northern route, but only after leaving him with a complimentary tube of toothpaste.  

Immediately outside of Fort Collins the I-25 sign flashed warning us of an accident at the border.  It took a good 80 minutes or more to get past the accident and into Wyoming.  Some truck had burned to smithereens.  That hour delay, coupled with the driver ignoring her alarm, put our excursion a good two hours behind.  However, the traffic delay allowed us to see the camels in Wyoming, the bison, and get a pretty good photo at the border.  It also allowed for a butt dial to my sister who entertained us for five minutes or so.  Odd moments to be cherished.

Aside from not reading the directions thoroughly and going about 30 miles out of the way, we coasted through the quaint town of Fort Laramie, where we used the facilities at the local bar, bought some dice made of bones (we hope they were bison bones!) and generally had a good walk-about.  Our next stop was gas and food time.  Then we were back on track, only to run into road construction.  That was okay.  It was a 15-minute delay which allowed us to get out of the car and stretch.  More photos.  Just stunning photos, too.  

Eventually we were back on the road and driving into South Dakota, stopping for another photo.  The driving was quite decent, and really, not much traffic anywhere.  Either Mount Rushmore is not approached from our direction, or it’s not the busiest month yet.  We coasted along smoothly, making our first stop at the Crazy Horse monument.  I had been there before – but there was nothing to see 35 years ago!  Now there is a face – and other features being outlined.  We really enjoyed the movie, the ice cream, and the walk around there.  It was worth it.  It’s all privately funded, so you have to see it.  Keep it going.

Oh yes.  For fun, we are doing license plates, keeping track of road kill, and looking for green Ford Escapes, Titanium model only.  So far, we have 40 plates, road kill in the amount of 2 deer, 3 fox, 2 prairie dogs, 1 raccoon, 16 unidentifiable, and 4 rabbits.  We quit counting at the South Dakota border.  Tomorrow we’ll find something else to count.  We did see one green Escape – but not Titanium!  

After Crazy Horse, we hit Mount Rushmore, right as the shadows made for awful photography.  We hiked around there though, bought some souvenir jewelry, ( a must on any excursion!) saw the film, and did get some great views and decent photos once the sun got behind the hill.  We left the monument, making sure to walk through all of the parking levels in order to get more license plates, and then went into the town of Keystone for pizza and a beer. We returned to Rushmore for the light show that evening. Warning:  The light show is basically a slow illumination of the faces – nothing colorful or tacky.  We all sang the National Anthem, the lights came on and it was beautiful.  Prior to that was a 25 minute chat and film.  At the end, all men and women of the armed forces were invited on stage to retire the flag and be introduced.  It was a fitting tribute and quite moving.  

We managed to successfully navigate to Deadwood – with the help of my husband on the computer.  Our GPS had no signal out in these hills, and the author of this missive did not print out any directions.  I just figured there would be signs everywhere pointing to Deadwood.  Anyway, thanks to him we had the correct highway number and we made it here fine.  I was giving my daughter the “watch for wildlife” speech, when we encountered two deer on the highway.  I know why they’re called the Black Hills, too.  It is pitch black out here, and you can’t see a darn thing if you don’t have your brights on!  We hardly met a car the last hour of our drive.  Apparently no one is stupid enough to be out in the pitch black with the wildlife.

Our hotel is a casino and gaming hotel – rather nice though.  The wallpaper border is of cowboys!  It is neat and clean, quite spacious, and a coffee maker outside of the bathroom is the touch of elegance we need.  We might go gambling for breakfast.  Or not.  It’s midnight and we should be sleeping, but we are both a little wired from our glorious day.  

Okay.  I can’t promise anything more exciting than this, people, but I’ll keep you posted on the travels for tomorrow. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers as we meander across America.

Really? I had a wonderfully clever post I deleted. Oh well. Just trust me – join me on the adventure of daily travels. Sometimes it will be across town, other times across time zones and continents. Tomorrow….we shall hop in the car and journey to Bellingham, Washington. I will be the worthy travel partner of my daughter who is going there for a job. Along the way I shall attempt to rectify my poor parenting in not taking my children to Mount Rushmore. Join the road warriors!