Life in Southeast Alaska

Fun Start to Our Vacation

We have been having a great time so far on our road trip.  We've covered lots of ground and I am looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight!

I stayed up way too late Thursday night getting everything packed and getting ready to go.  Only slept a couple hours and it was time to get up already to catch the jet.  We flew in to Seattle and rented a car (off the airport is cheaper than the ones located at the airport - thanks for the tip Merrilee!)  Our plan was to drive across Washington to Spokane and visit with some friends.  It's been a long time since I made that drive, we used to drive it with my Grandparents.  We used to stop at the same place each time for lunch - at Vantage.  It is a beautiful view - Rod and I had to stop to admire it.

When we arrived in Spokane and were trying to find our friends place, a storm rolled in.  There was hail and lightning and dark, dark clouds.  I'm glad Rod was driving!  We found their house and had a great time visiting and talking about when they used to live in Juneau. 

Today we drove to Post Falls, Idaho.  My grandparents used to live there and I lived there for a year when I went to college.  It has been a long time since I was there and it is sure different, bigger.  I managed to find my grandma's place where I rented from her.  Then we drove down to the river where she lived when I was younger.  The house is still there and there is a very nice couple living there now who were kind enough to invite us in.  I wasn't sure when Grandma and Grandpa moved there.  The house was built in 1972 and they had some pictures from then.  I guessed that they could have had it built, but wasn't sure until I found pictures of them in the album - how cool is that!  Also, coincidentally, the guy used to know one of the owners of the company I worked for.  Talk about a small world!  The house was pretty much as I remembered, though they have done many updates - it is just beautiful inside and out.  I just took one picture of it as you see it from the road.

I had told Rod about our trips to Grandmas and that we used to get fish and chips from Rob's.  I was happy to see that Rob's was still open - so we had lunch there - I think it was exactly the same on the inside  :o)

We took off from Post Falls on our way to Orofino.  We drove through Coeur d'Alene and took a scenic road that took us around Lake Coeur d'Alene.  That lake is huge, I hadn't realized how big it was!  We got to a little town called Elk River and pulled over at the camping area to make sure we were on the right track, since the road had turned to gravel.  We were on the right track and followed the dirt road up into the hills, twisting and turning.  We saw lots of cows - and signs that said Watch for Stock - next 15 miles.  It was a relief when we finally hit pavement again.  The views were incredible!  Especially when we got closer to Orofino, looking down into the valley was so beautiful.  The hotel we are at is right on the river.  Tomorrow we will be looking at some property to see what is available around here.  I'll blog next time we have internet  :o)

Sounds like Fun

9:26 AM, Sunday, October 4, 2009 .. Posted by browns71280

Wow, sounds like you are having fun on your trip. The lake in CDA is huge for the first time, beautiful area, but too many people. I live in Garfield Wa. and still have not been down to Orofino, but maybe one day.
Have a safe journey.

Debbie

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2:34 PM, Tuesday, October 6, 2009 .. Posted by gilsanla

Sounds like a beautiful trip. A what a cute house. It's fun to just travel around the country isn't it. My husband and I have driven cross country a couple times. Different routes each time - but we haven't been to Washington state as of yet - maybe some day.

Sandra

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7:43 AM, Tuesday, October 20, 2009 .. Posted by HopefulHeart77

Good morning! Your photos are wonderful. I love the background for the first one. Many blessings to you for a wonderful day!