You know I am a huge procrastinator, so we were up til midnight thirty on Wednesday getting ready to leave! Thursday night dinner was the responsibility of the West Side Wilkersons, so I was trying to pre-cook as much as possible. Starting with GLORIFIED BEANS. Called my momma for the recipe, found that there was no such thing. I guess back in the day there was no Food Network to Google for recipes and people cooked from scratch. What the heck!!?
Shaun wanted to get up at 4:30AM on Thursday, but (oops- darn luck!) we slept in and didnt get on the road til 7. He decided that getting to the freeway via Orting was quickest (!?), stopped for coffee and breakfast and hit the road. I take issue with his driving on occasion and decided to point out (by insanely slapping the dash repeatedly and stomping my foot into the fake brake on the passenger side) that he was about to rear end the car in front of us. He slammed on the brakes, sending the coffee all over the dash and the only jacket I packed. Turns out, the view from the drivers seat is different and he did not feel as close to the car in front of us as I did! Hey, perspective and all that. Whatever. Lets just say the first half of the trip was very quiet....
The drive was quite a bit longer than we thought, so we got there just in time to unload and go fishing before dark. Dinner was a success, with only one minor explosion (gas stove!) and the beans were pretty good if I do say so myself.
The guys started Friday off with a little more fishing and were quite the sucess! After a little nap, Shaun, the kids and I went into Joseph for part of the afternoon. Its a cute little town, still waking up from winter. There is a bronze factory there so sculptures on each corner. Lots of little shops, including our favorite: "Mad Mary's All Things Fat and Fabulous" where we went to a REAL soda shop and had chocolate and brown cows. I wanted a purple cow in the worst way, but they were out of grape soda!
Jake and I went to the beach to skip rocks, wade in the freeeeezing water, make friends with some wierd local, watch an eagle family, track a momma and baby geese, climb in a cool silvered tree grove and a discover a petrified deer (read CHICKEN) bone. Everyone else went hiking, bike riding and , of course, fishing. Apparently there is some wierd species of kokanee there, so fishing was a key part of the trip for Shaun, Val and Chris. They were good sports though and took the kiddos out in the boats and to the dock.
The town of Wallowa Lake is still closed til Memorial Day- so, no go carts, bumper boats, mini golf, arcade... no cell service, no internet... no tv... I was so worried that the kids would be bored!
But, you know what?! The entire rest of the trip was spent on various relaxing activities: hikes, walks, bike riding, trying to get the deer to eat out of their hands, playing in the creek, baseball at the park, beach combing, tree climbing, reading, board games, visiting, sitting in the sunshine, napping and laughing... Everyone was way too worn out to be bored!
It was good to see everyone, we really dont get together as often as we should. The kids had a great time with their cousins, I enjoyed catching up with my sister in laws and getting to know everyone just a bit more.
The drive back was along the Columbia and through Portland. We saw a lot of things we'd like to come back and stop at next time we drive that way. Summers just getting started, I'm sure I can squeeze in a road trip somewhere!!
Take care! Love ya!
So, my photos wouldnt upload- sorry guys. Check facebook, I'll make that album public so everyone can see the photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2060561&id=1097259583&saved#!/album.php?aid=2060561&id=1097259583
