Onward to Boise and then to Oregon. Getting closer to home!

Wednesday, April 6

Today we pulled up stakes in Hagerman early, showered and washed dishes in order to arrive in Boise by lunchtime to meet our friends, Marv and LaVerne (formerly of Tumwater) at a local restaurant. We could only spare a short visit, so recommended eating out, so that we could hit the road again for Oregon.

It's easier to say we'll have a short lunch, more difficult to do when so many years have passed since we've had such a nice visit. They brought along their granddaughter, McKenna, who turns six tomorrow; once the food was consumed and the adults continued our visit, McKenna and Henry the bear became friends. I'm sure Henry enjoyed having a young girl to play with him for a while.

All too soon it was time to hit the road again. An hour down the road just across the Oregon-Idaho state line, we pulled into a rest area so Duffy could get some shuteye and I could type this blog. Starting up again, crossing high plains that look like so many places we've traveled this trip, I realized most everywhere in the West, whether steppe, desert, or plains, has been over 2,000 or 3,000 feet above sea level. Our country is a lot higher in altitude than I had remembered. Today, we begin the climb in Oregon between mountain ranges to La Grande where we're spending the night. We've encountered wind, some rain, sunshine, more wind, a few more showers, and we've driven through high mountain areas where snow lays melting beside the road. But, today was the first day we've come upon snow showers. As we approached La Grande, it began to rain snow, very wet snow. By evening the flakes were a bit drier, but not sticking. Tomorrow is our last day on the road before returning home. Wouldn't it be something to have to stay here a day because the roads in the pass between here and Pendleton are impassable with our small trailer? Only tomorrow will tell. We hope our plans to meet Ron and Melissa at their home in Pendleton for a very short visit in between their responsibilities for the day. I guess we'll sleep on it.

Until next time,

Pam