On the Road and Visiting Ed & Sara; 7, 8 & 9 July 2010 --
We traveled a devious route from Lander WY over an 83oo foot pass in Central Wyoming to avoid going through Yellowstone Park, finally intersecting US-30 near the Utah border. Crossing into Utah, we soon spotted Bear Lake ahead and to our right and we circled it along its west side, finally finding a route up again into some mountains and over into Idaho just south of Pocatello. We caught up with I-15, which we took all the way to Butte MT, finally refilling our very empty tank [the Grand Mother didn't notice the low-fuel light glaring at us for almost 100 miles!]. By this time, we were both getting saddle-weary so we stopped just 4o miles up I-90 for the night in Deer Lodge.
Deer Lodge is the site of the old Montana Territorial prison. As we didn't have reservations here, Grumpy suggested that we could probably find a "free room" at the prison. However, good sense (Mother) prevailed and we chose a good looking motel across the street named Budget Inn and, after a light supper (including the very best homemade tomato soup!), we "holed up" for the night.
The next day, we postponed our breakfast to continue west on I-90 to Ekstrom's Stage Station (our overnight stop enroute east). Our breakfast was fabulous -- two huge pancakes and a raster of bacon (memo to self: next time, split the meal!). We also inquired about a couple of items that we thought we had left in our cabin two weeks before; the cabin was checked but our things were not found.
By lunch time, we arrived in Coeur d'Alene ID and contacted Cousin Ed & Sara for a visit over lunch. The street in front of their home had been torn up for three weeks and as we arrived the construction crew was just finishing fresh asphalt paving, so we could not drive nor walk to the front of their house. Instead Ed led us to the resort on the lake waterfront in downtown Coeur d'Alene. The view was great and the food outstanding; I had fish (Halibut) and chips.
Cousin Ed is on a waiting list to have surgery in Dallas TX to repair a heart valve. Ed described the procedure as one that goes into the chest through a small slit between the ribs, so more rapid recovery is expected as compared to the one in which the sternum is parted and the chest cavity is spread open. Our prayers are with them both as they embark on this next big phase of their lives.
In midafternoon, we bid our goodbyes and continued on to the small town of Davenport WA for our overnight rest. Again, we took our chances, but ultimately chose a nice-looking motel along the "main drag". It was a good choice! Before retiring, Grumpy treated the Grand Mother to her wish of a milk shake. She had spied an ad for "berry shakes; many flavors!"; Grumpy easily found the place [trusty GPS!!], and we both slurped down our Blackberry milk shakes. Later in the night, Grumpy regretted this late evening treat -- stomach upset from rich food!
Next morning, we went to a Bed & Breakfast that we had spotted the day before where we had a good breakfast. Then back on the road (US-2) to Wenatchee and environs to check out the status of peaches and cherries. Alas, the peaches are late because of the late spring, so another trip around the first of August is planned. Our favorite orchard had some freshly-picked cherries, which we indulged in by buying about ten pounds to share with the stay-at-home folks.
In midafternoon on 9 July, we arrived back at home, finding the house still standing and the lawn and tomatoes in fine shape, thanks to the diligent efforts of Ramiro. Thank you Ramiro!! I owe you.
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