June, 2018 - Day 14

Wouldn't you know that before we left Spokane Valley, we had to make one more stop. I'm not certain what this food thing is about with these two humans, but they seemed super excited when they saw this place:

A few more hours on the road and we were home. Who knows how long it might be before they take me on another road trip, but I sure enjoyed this one. At least when they plan, they do it right!

Hoping your summer includes a little time enjoying our beautiful and diverse country. America truly is a land of beauty. 

June, 2018 - Day 13

Well, we got the niece to the airport and I kept watching the sky to see if I could spot her plane after taking off - but I get confused about whether they are coming or going, so no luck. After we braved the crazy (even though it was not so bad on a Saturday morning) traffic, we headed east toward home.

It was fun to have the niece along on this trip and I'll certainly miss her. 

After we got out of town and through the scenic Columbia River Gorge area, one last view of Mt. Hood was a nice bonus:

There is one final stop to make in Spokane Valley. We'll be back in MT soon!!

June, 2018 - Day 12

The last stop before the niece getting on the plane for home is Portland. At dinner, a beautiful sunset!!

An absolutely gorgeous sunset! LOTS of miles in the car, tons of beautiful views, animals and flowers and water and mountains and sun and clouds and fog and trees. Think it's been one for the books, for certain! And fun having the niece along, too. 

June, 2018 - Day 11

Please forgive the comments about "where is the sun?" We had mostly beautiful weather, so a little "cloudy and foggy" isn't something to complain about. 

Especially when there is another beautiful lighthouse....and seals - even a baby having some breakfast. Awesome!!

But then, all too quickly, it is the last moment at the coast - Seaside Beach. Fortunately, we were both able to put our feet in the Pacific. What an amazing trip it has been!

June, 2018 - Day 10

And then there were sea lions - LOTS of sea lions. We stopped at a cave to view them. I enjoyed this statue above ground:

Yes, that is a lighthouse to the left of the picture - here's a better view:

As the day ended in Newport, more fog and clouds - maybe tomorrow there will be sun again?!?!

June, 2018 - Day 9

This is called Castle Rock National Wildlife Refuge near Crescent City, CA. Very pretty!

The weather beautiful, the niece enjoying the view and the ocean, and I'm excited to be out and about. Ahh...the ocean!

Then we took a little time to go through the Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park. The trees are amazing, the trunks of the fallen giants enormous. I certainly feel small.

Then the day ended in Bandon. With clouds at the coast. Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day.

June, 2018 - Day 8

The day began with me wondering if I was going to be left in the car - again!! But they were just having breakfast, something I can do without:

The day got much better! The coast is gorgeous:

 

So are the flowers. Wild orchids - wow!

And more redwoods - rather eerie looking in the fog that rolled in again:

All in all, another gorgeous day. And more to come. 

June, 2018 - Day 7

Certainly less people today - but lots more trees. Big trees! Giant redwoods!!

I just couldn't resist trying to climb one. Haha!!! Didn't get very far when I had to be rescued!

One thing is for certain, they are gorgeous, majestic and even spiritual. God's work is amazing!!!

June 2018 - Day 6

Day #6 took us into San Francisco. It doesn't make sense to be so close and not experience the Golden Gate Bridge and the sights of the big city. Or at least, that's what they told me. They left me in the car - crowds make me nervous.

They saw the seals at Pier 39:

And took a cruise of the bay:

That Ghiradelli's in the background - oh, yes, they had some. Would you expect otherwise?!

All was beautiful until the fog rolled in - so they said - and the bridge was lost in the clouds. 

Oh, well, tomorrow is another day - with a few less people, I hope!

June 2018 - Day 5

On Day #5, it was time to meet up with the humans' niece and tour some of Napa Valley. When in Napa, they did what you do in Napa - a little wine tasting:

They did take me to one of the two stops they made:

It is certainly pretty here in this valley!!! And beautiful weather!!! I think I'm having a very good time.

June 2018 - Day 4

On Day #4, we went over the Donner Summit as we entered into California:

None of us can imagine doing this "back in the day" traveling by way of horse and wagon. But after the long desert drive through Nevada, the green scenery was very welcome. Although, I'm not sure what they were thinking with this "thin ice" stuff (that's what is on the sign on the tree in the background) - after all, it was a little warm for there to be any ice.

Then, I suppose winter is another story. Today we are certainly enjoying the sunshine!!! More to come.

June 2018 - Day 2/3

June 13, 2018

After leaving Idaho Falls, we stopped along the road at the same rest area we hit 10 years ago. 

They looked for the same spot (See July, 2008) where we took pictures along the California/Oregon Trail on that first trip. Things have changed in the 10 years (no surprise!), but we think this is close. (Look close, I'm in the weeds.)

The next stop was Elko, NV, also a second time here. They went to eat a basque meal at the Star and came back stuffed - again! But smiling. Seems to be a theme on their adventures. Haha!

Next day, on the way to Reno, we stopped at the California Trail Interpretive Center. Interesting stuff, especially since we had been on the trail the day before. 

I’m very glad to be with them again! On the road is a good place to be! 

June 2018 Day 1

June 12, 2018

After several years of simply hanging out at the house, the humans have finally taken another adventurous trip and brought me along. Oh, they've been places in these nearly four years, but just haven’t taken ME. This time, I insisted, and they agreed! 

So far, so good. Lots of car time, but our first stop they enjoyed - Idaho Falls and a Chick-Fil-a. I personally don’t understand the attraction, but they were all smiles.

Will keep updating as we go - I hear the coast is calling. Happy trails!!

Oh, I almost forgot - we went through a snowstorm this side of Butte, MT. Yes, a snowstorm! In JUNE! Pictures to prove it. Not sure what this means for the rest of the trip, but quite an adventure!

Headed West Day #7

November 14, 2014

Sorry, folks, for leaving you hanging the last couple of days. I was so confused and overwhelmed after the whirlwind tour across country that it took a while to recover.

After some time of being in one place, I began to realize something was different here. It appears “they” have unpacked (at least somewhat), and as you can tell by my relaxing picture, found a place to hang their/his hat. The travel bags are stored and she has done enough laundry to last a week (well, I suppose it did, didn’t it?!).

So thank you for following along. If we head out again, I’ll be back. Until then, I leave you with an Irish blessing for travelers:
    May the road rise up to meet you.
    May the wind always be at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face [we need this one here!],
    and rains fall soft upon your field.
    And until we meet again,
    May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Headed West Day #6

November 13, 2014

We went today from Gillette, WY, to Billings, MT, and saw some very pretty countryside along the way. Like the Big Horn Mountains you see in the distance.

And this really weird thing - a fog bank. That’s what you see that looks like clouds except near the ground. Fog. Odd, yet beautiful, too.

But then when we crossed the state line into Montana, “she” missed the “Welcome to Montana” sign. She did, however, get the Visitors Center in Hardin sign. You may be able to see it’s 57 miles away, even though the sign is just past the state line. There wasn’t much to see before then except lots of land.

Finally we reached Billings. They unloaded that car they’ve been hauling, so I think we might be in our destination.

Tomorrow will tell for certain, though, since they checked into a motel tonight in Billings. Guess we’ll see.

Headed West Day #5

November 12, 2014

Well, we are in Gillette, WY, tonight. It’s officially cold! The temperature was 6 degrees when we arrived, expected to be -15 overnight. Brrr…. Think I’ll avoid the snow-angel-making tonight/tomorrow.  At least the sun was shining most of the day. Although, the scenery wasn't too exciting for a while. I thought Iowa was flat, well so is South Dakota.

Until we got closer to the Black Hills you can see way in the distance.

Oh, and “she” found out something interesting. Did you know that lotion left in a car when temperatures reach single digits freezes? Well, it does!

Two more nights on the road and they say we should reach our destination. We’ll see.

Headed West Day #4

November 11, 2014

Tonight Hitch is taking an extra rest, so I’ll catch you up. We are in Oacoma, South Dakota, near the Missouri River (just on the other side of the river and up the hill is where we are tonight):

 Six years ago we traveled this same way. After miles and miles of seeing field after field, we came around a curve and saw this beautiful oasis:

This is near the same spot today. Still beautiful, but just a little less green:

Oh, and in case you’re wondering about Hitch, he was tired from making snow angels.

Yes, when we woke this morning in Council Bluffs, a dusting of snow had visited during the night. So while hubby and I were loading the car to get on the road, Hitch was playing. Guess you’re gonna have that!

Headed West Day #3

November 10, 2014

After the Superman debacle yesterday, these people were better about letting me see some sights. We drove through St. Louis and got close to the arch. Pretty cool - see!

We also went over the Mississippi                                    and Missouri Rivers















Then we got into Iowa. I've always heard it was flat. Yep, It is!

Tonight we are in Council Bluffs, IA, just outside of Omaha, NE. They mentioned there might be snow on the trip tomorrow. Guess we ALL will see!

Headed West Day #2

November 9, 2014

One thing is for certain, this is unlike any other trip I’ve taken with these people. The last time we went across country, we stopped more often and smelled the roses, so to speak. Seems about the only time we’re stopping this time, at least this second day, is for food or rest areas. And then they often forget to let me get out and stretch.

Like this missed opportunity to have my photo taken with Superman.

Yep, a moment of humor at Ft. Massac Rest Area in Illinois.

Oh well, maybe tomorrow will be better. Tonight we’ve stopped in Mt. Vernon, IL. All seems well as we settle in for some rest and, hopefully, a good night’s sleep.