Day 105 - USA Tour - Klamath Falls, OR

Overnight: Klamath Falls, OR
Play Day

Again this morning, Dot has created a smorgasbord of the left-over pastries for us to nibble on--along with the fresh-brewed coffee.



We played more Canasta and broke out the Cherry wine that we had purchased in Wisconsin at the Simon Creek Winery. Man, was that good stuff! I guess it's too smooth, as you could drink a bottle of that and not even realize it. It's a toss-up as to whether we like this Cherry wine or Chateau Elan's Autumn Blush better!

Dot has invited some friends of theirs (Eric, Diane, and their 3 kids) to join us for dinner. It was a lot of fun to have a full crowd. They are really nice folks and the kids are a hoot.

DaveH made Margaritas and we nibbled on chips and salsa. Dot prepared very yummy baked burritos in chicken and beef, along with refried beans and a salad. We were all too stuffed to move and could barely make it from the dining table to the comfy sofas.

After Eric and Diane and the kids left, we continued with the Canasta saga. I guess you'd think we'd be sick of it by now, but you'd be wrong. It's become a mega contest between the guys and gals. Again, we left their home late and headed for the RV. I am sure glad we are camped only a couple of miles from their house.

Day 104 - USA Tour - Klamath Falls, OR

Overnight: Klamath Falls, OR
Play Day

This morning Dot and DaveH had a great spread for us of bagels, several flavored cream cheeses, and donuts for breakfast at their home.

We sat on their deck with their home-brewed coffee and delicacies and enjoyed watching the birds take peanuts from the feeder. There were also hummingbirds that we captured on film, but they are too small in the pictures for you to enjoy.






Their porch has a lovely view of Mt. Shasta. I was going to take a picture of it later in the day, but the haze obscured it by the time I got around to it. Sniff. Sniff.

Dave and Dot spent more time reviewing the ancestors and sharing pictures.

Finally, we broke from that to continue our Canasta competitions. Today the guys won a few games. But, we gals were just letting them feel their oats before we bring them back to reality (maybe tomorrow!).

Dot and DaveH took us to a great Chinese restaurant called the Dynasty. DaveM had a great time with the servers. You know how he loves to cajole with them, and they gave it back to Dave as fast as he could dish it out! So, a good time was had by all. The food was very good. We took home more than we ate, I'm sure!

Back to the house to play more Canasta. We left their home late. We'd have loved to play on, but no ones' eyes could keep open. So, we'll be back at it tomorrow.

Day 103 - USA Tour - Klamath Falls, OR

Overnight: Klamath Falls, OR
Play Day

This morning we met up with DaveH and Dot and went out for a tasty breakfast.

With full bellies, we headed back to their home where Dave and Dot spent most of the morning sharing pictures and genealogy findings.

After DaveH and I had heard all this for about 5 hours, we decided it was time to have some fun. Dot had purchased some cards so we could play Canasta. It had been a long time since Dot had played and DaveH had never played. After a couple of "open" hands, we were off and running with the girls-against-the-boys competition.

The Hicks brought out the munchies and we continued to play until it was time for dinner. But, as of the day so far, the girls have won most of the games.

We went out for dinner to The Creamery Brew Pub & Grill. It was very good and was a micro-brew pub with their own brands. I must say, some of the names of their brews gave us much fodder to discuss for the rest of the visit. Here's one of the brews that we liked the best: Butt-Crack Brown , which was described as having a nutty flavor.

We went back to their home and played yet more Canasta. Girls are still ahead. We left late in the evening and headed back to the RV. We had to get rested to do this all over again tomorrow--play, play, play.

Day 102 - USA Tour - Klamath Falls, OR

Sightseeing Mileage in Corvallis area: 43
Starting Mileage leaving Corvallis: 7940
Ending Mileage arriving Klamath Falls, OR: 8226
Miles Driven: 286
Avg. MPG: 7.1
Gas Price: $3.92--Roseburg, OR

Travel Day
Overnight: Klamath Fall, Oregon
Klamath Falls KOA

Today the terrain started out mostly flat. Then, we took Hwy 140 from Medford to Klamath Falls. It was very steep and yet very beautiful.

We stopped in Roseburg, OR, for lunch at a pizza joint. It was really good.

When we started up the mountains on Hwy 140, we saw several spots of lava flow throughout the woods. The one picture I have isn't the greatest, but you can get an idea of what we saw.



Upper Klamath Lake was at the bottom of the hill. And, it was a nice respite.



We swung into Klamath Falls with some pretty countryside.



Soon, we were at the KOA and got all set up.



Setting up was not a pleasant experience, however, as Dave was dodging swarms of fly-like bugs called Midges. They are skinnier than flies and are slightly green. You open your mouth and they fly in. You have to swat at the air violently to get them away from the door. But, there are hundreds at the door or on the side of the RV if you stop swatting for a second. They don't bite; they are just numerous.

We are here in Klamath Falls to visit with Dave's cousin, Dorothy (Dot) Hicks, and her husband, Dave (we'll call him DaveH). Dot's father was Dave's father's next-younger brother (whom we call "Uncle Pete").



Dave has not seen Dot in nearly 30 years. They were very close growing up. Dave met DaveH years ago when DaveH visited with Dave's sister, Bev, and her husband at that time, Donald, in San Diego. Dave, DaveH, and Donald were all in the Navy. Donald and DaveH taught some classes together. Then, years later, DaveH and Dot met at a Navy picnic when Dot was visiting with Bev.

Dot is also LD's Godmother. DaveH and Dot married in 1972 and lived in San Diego. So, we only saw them once after they were married. We left California in 1980.

Through the years, as so often happens, we lost touch. However, for the last couple of years, Dave and Dot have been emailing each other daily. So, we were anxious to see her again and to get to know Dave better.

Dot and DaveH are Amy Wright's parents. We visited Amy and her family while we were in Elma, WA. (See Day 97.)

DaveH and Dot wanted to take us out for dinner, so we changed out of our driving clothes and drove to their home. It's a lovely home in the hills above the city. After visiting for a while, we headed out to the Black Bear Diner. It was really good. And, the company was better.

After dinner, we headed back to their home and visited until late in the evening. So good to get re-acquainted. And, we had a great time being together, laughing and reminiscing.

Day 101 - USA Tour - Corvallis, OR

Sightseeing Mileage in Astoria area: 80
Starting Mileage leaving Astoria: 7720
Ending Mileage arriving Corvallis, OR: 7897
Miles Driven: 177
Avg. MPG: 7.7
Gas Price: $3.85--Woodburn, OR

Travel and Reminisce Day
Overnight: Corvallis, Oregon
Albany / Corvallis KOA

The drive from Astoria to Corvallis, OR, was relatively flat and uneventful. One interesting fact about Oregon is that you cannot pump your own gasoline at a gas station. It's nice not to do, but it's also kind of weird these days. Sometimes they clean your windshield and sometimes not.

After we arrived at the Corvallis KOA and Dave got us all set up, we drove around town.



Dave lived in Corvallis from about age 4 to 10. So, he has fond memories to rekindle. (Dave was born in Lancaster, CA, and then moved to Corvallis.)

We have been here before looking at his stomping grounds, but it's fun to do again. This time, we did go to a few more places than before. Neither of us can remember when we were here last. We know the kids were not with us, so we can't figure out when it was. Alas, old brains don't compute as well!

First we drove to the Corvallis airport. Dave's father, Lee, and another man had a business on the grounds in which they made wooden toys. Dave and Bev, his sister, had gotten in to trouble here with the FBI for breaking into a building to play. Funny story if you want to ask Dave about it.

Here's a picture of some controlled burns that were being done off in the distance from the airport. There were four going on at once--as if it wasn't hazy enough!



Next we drove out to Kiger Island. This is where Lee worked to help harvest Filbert nuts. There is still a great number of Filbert tree farms on the island.

Although Dave's home is no longer there, a barn where he and neighbor kids played is still standing, as is the home of his neighbor (first girlfriend), Arleta.



Here are a few critters that we enjoyed seeing on the island.





Next we went on a search for the Episcopal church that the family attended. But, no luck. We think we may have found it and it has changed names/types. But, Dave couldn't be sure.

We also found the theater where Dave would go on Saturdays for 25 cents. It appears that the town is trying to restore the theater.



Dave's family moved from Kiger Island into town and had a house on Grant Street. We found the location and address of the house, but an apartment building now exists on the property.

Our final tour down memory lane was to find his grade school. And, to our surprise, it still exists. The only change that Dave could remember was that the second story has been removed. He knows it existed because he wasn't able to attend Kindergarten because it was on the second floor and he was in a wheelchair at the time. Dave had a good time seeing the school as we didn't see it on our previous trip to Corvallis.







Dave's second grade classroom.

After our tour of Corvallis, we stopped at Dairy Queen to get some burgers to go. We drove back to the RV to indulge. Retired early as more driving to do in the morning.

Day 100 - USA Tour - Astoria, OR

Overnight: Astoria, OR
Ancestor Search Day

To start our day off well energized, we stopped at the Pig 'n Pancake for breakfast. Dave had potato pancakes and I had blueberry crepes. YUMM.

Next stop was to mail some packages back home and then we were off to begin our search. As usual on these searches, we headed for the courthouse first. But, that ended without gaining us any information, except to be told that most likely the death certificate is in Olympia, Washington. And, of course, we have already driven by that city days earlier.

We were also told we might find some information in Cathlamet, WA, across the bridge. This is where the newspaper is located that ran the article about his death. I called the courthouse there to see if they had death records. I understood her to say they had records from 1907. So, we are excited and headed that direction.

In order to get there, the shortest route was across the Columbia River, eastward about 30 miles. From there we had to take a ferry to Puget Island and then a bridge across the river.

We drove up to the ferry loading area and found we had about 10 minutes to wait for its arrival. While we waited, Dave spotted some Oregon blackberries, so out of the car he jumped. He fed his face until the ferry arrived.



I was surprised to see such a small ferry. It only carried about 10 cars. For our ride across the river, there was only our car and one other. So, it was cool to get out and walk around this small vessel and not be crowded.



Yup, that's Dave peeking out from in front of our car.



This is a picture of us docking at the ferry ramp.

After driving off the ferry, you drive on an island called Puget Island. From the island, you drive across a bridge to get to the Washington side of the river into Cathlamet.

First stop, again, was the courthouse. I had misunderstood about the year of their records. What she said was that they had records before 1907. So, none were there. But, the staff was most helpful and really tried to find records in town for us, like from the Catholic Church or the town historian. But, none were found.

We drove to the museum to meet the woman that sent the newspaper article to Dave about Antione's logging accident. She wasn't in until Thursday. Bah Humbug.

We were getting hungry, but the ferry only runs back across to the Astoria area on the hour. So, we decided we'd boogie back as it was now 1:50 PM.

The ferry was nearly loaded when we arrived. They took us, and only 2 other cars could fit on board. So, we were packed going back.

This 30-mile drive back to Astoria proper is quite desolate--no food establishments. We decided to have a picturesque lunch at a restaurant in Astoria along the Columbia River. It was quite lovely and peaceful. We were next to the Pilot House for the tug boats, so that kept us busy watching them.



Our last hope for finding some information about Antione's death was to search for a funeral home in Astoria that might have kept records. A slim chance, but a chance nonetheless.

It so happened that when we entered the restaurant, Dave spotted a stack of small phonebooks that are available for anyone to take. So, after ordering, he made a phone call to a funeral home in town. As luck would have it, they had all the records from E.B. Hughes, the undertaker. The funeral director invited us to come and look for the records after our lunch.

Phil, the director, was very helpful. He found an index card that had Joseph Migneault's information. By this time in Antione's life, he was known as Joe or Joseph. His given name was Antione Joseph Migneault. However, the index card did not list the number of the record book in which the individual records are kept. Phil tore through all the cabinets to locate the records from 1918. But, they could be found. He called his partner to help him look. And, still no records. Finally, Phil looked in a file cabinet and there were all the records dating back before 1925. Jackpot! Phil gave Dave a copy of the funeral home's bill for preparing and shipping Joseph's body to Lambert, MT. So, we now suspect that his body did indeed go to Lambert. We suspect that he is buried in the Catholic Cemetery, which we quickly walked through when we were in Lambert--we didn't find a headstone for him.

We also know that Antione Joseph Migneault's daughter (Alice) was married to a man named Sam Wells. Dave met Sam Wells when Dave was a boy and he visited their home some years ago in Lancaster, CA. On the bill from the funeral home, the name and contact information of Sam Wells appears. So Sam was contacted about the death and we feel he may have paid for some or all of the transportation. In addition, there was a telegram from a hospital in Portland that guaranteed payment of up to $75 for shipment of the body. But, we don't know why that hospital was involved. Phil (at the funeral home) thought that was odd. So, another question. Did the body get shipped instead to Portland, Oregon?



Here's a picture of what the funeral home would have looked like around the time of Antione's death.

Dave felt really lucky to have copies of this original information. So, we could now leave Astoria feeling that we had some success in our search.

Our next stop was to drive to the Astoria Column.

On the way up the hill to the column, we saw these beautiful deer just munching on the grass, unconcerned for passing cars.



The column depicts the history of Oregon. The history pictorial is etched in bands into the stone column. Dave, the kids, and I had visited it in 1974 when we came to Astoria after going to the World's Fair in Spokane. But it was raining that day and we didn't get a good look. So, I really wanted to see it again.

So, today we saw its magnificent beauty and details.





Close-up view of some of the detailed etchings.

Because it was raining the day we visited in 1974, I had no idea of the views from that vantage point. I was in awe again at the magnitude of the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River.



Cascade Mountains in the distance.



View of the Astoria Bridge and the town of Astoria.

After taking in the beauty and splendor of the column, we drove around town sightseeing. We also drove by the school where Kindergarten Kop was filmed. So, here it is.



We drove to Safeway to get some ice cream as our stash was all gone. Our day was a great success and we enjoyed the beautiful town of Astoria. We have always loved this town with its quaintness and beauty.

We headed back to the RV and settled in with a bowl of ice cream for dinner.

Day 99 - USA Tour - Astoria, OR

Sightseeing Mileage in Elma / Montesano area: 70
Starting Mileage leaving Elma: 7537
Ending Mileage arriving Astoria, OR: 7640
Miles Driven: 103
Avg. MPG: 7.4
Gas Price: $4.09--Cosmopolis, WA

Travel Day
Overnight: Astoria, Oregon
Lewis & Clark Golf and RV Resort

We left Elma about 9:30 AM and headed for Astoria, Oregon. We had to go through Aberdeen, WA, again. So, I snapped these great pictures from the area.

The first is the Satsop Nuclear Power Station. It was never completed. Your tax dollars at work!



Next we saw a logging enterprise along the river.



And, here's a great shot of the beautiful old bridge that crosses from Aberdeen to Cosmopolis.



We stopped for gas in Cosmopolis and I noticed this sign on the road. I have never seen one of these before, so thought I'd share it with you as well.



The drive was mostly through logging areas. There were a lot of areas that were stripped. But, we also saw areas of newly planted forests. We passed many logging trucks, even some trucks that had double trailers loaded with logs.

When we were still in Washington and across the river from Astoria, we stopped at the visitor's center in Dismal Nitch. I inquired as to why it was named that (I don't know why I questioned it because we had passed several wrecked ships). I was told that when Lewis and Clark landed in this area, Lewis stated, "What a dismal nitch this place is."



I picked up several brochures from their "fly trap." We headed on across the bridge into Astoria. I thought this was a cool picture!



We took a bit of a scenic route getting to the campground. When you make a wrong turn, you see sights that you would never have seen otherwise. So, I always count it a good side trip!

After getting set up, Dave slept for most of the afternoon. There are a lot of sandpiper birds walking around the campground.



I forgot to take a picture of the campground. So this is a stock photo of the sites.

The campground is very new and is connected to a golf course. They do not have sewer available yet, but stated they had WIFI and CATV. Well, the WIFI only worked if we placed the laptop in the bedroom. Because Dave had messages he had to get out, he was cramped up on the side of the bed trying to email. I just considered it a lost cause for my purposes.

I fixed a penne pasta dish for dinner.

I finally sewed the buttons on a little sweater that I crocheted during our travels for my new grand niece, Kylinn Konovelchick. Finally, I'll get it mailed off to her tomorrow.



The TV signal was icky, so I didn't watch much and headed to bed a little earlier than usual. I finished reading the Lewis & Clark book that I had purchased some time ago.

Tomorrow we are going to try to find some information about Dave's great grandfather, Antione Migneault, who was killed in the logging accident in 1918 in the Skamokawa Forest in Washington (across the Columbia River from Astoria). His body was prepared by an undertaker in Astoria.

Day 98 - USA Tour - Elma, WA

Visiting Day
Overnight: Elma, WA

We slept in a bit this morning and decided we'd go to Amy's for lunch. The Wright's actually live in the city of Montesano, WA, which is about 15 minutes west of Elma, where we are staying at the campground.

We met Amy at the Subway in Montesano and ordered our sandwiches to go. It was pouring down rain today--a common state of climate in Washington.

Dave took his laptop and scanner to Amy's and they sorted through family pictures as I scanned them in for inclusion in Dave's genealogy books.

Jon had to work today. So, after Dave shared his ancestry findings with Amy and the kids, Jon called and was able to join us for dinner. We had all decided to go to a Mexican restaurant, but they stated that none in Montesano were very good. So, we drove to Aberdeen as Jon had been told of a good restaurant in that town. Jon works in Aberdeen, so he was to meet us there.

The city of Aberdeen decided that they wanted to spruce up their town and contracted with an artist to obtain various pieces from various local artists. When the art arrived, the townspeople were anything but impressed. However, they couldn't cancel the order at this point. So, the art was placed on the corners anyway. Here's an example of the art--a mosquito in a cage! There were strange pieces.



When we arrived at the restaurant, it was not Mexican at all. It was San Salvadorian. It turned out to be an adventure in dining. The place was way below casual. But, there were many native Mexicans or San Salvadorians that came in. So, we figured it must be good. We had some foods we had never experienced before. The kids were not as "taken" with the adventure. But, the grown-ups had a good time trying new foods. And, yes, it was tasty.

After dinner, Jon wanted us to follow him through a back road to take in new scenery. It was a beautiful ride and we saw an exceptional sunset, but I couldn't get a picture because we were deep in the forest and it was very dark.

We all visited some more, played with the pets, and Emily serenaded us with great Christian songs on the piano. The boys played video games and then played CSI investigators with their crime-scene kits. See Adam as the victim!



As hard as it was, we had to leave and go back to the RV to push on tomorrow toward Astoria, Oregon.

Day 97 - USA Tour - Elma, WA

Sightseeing Mileage in Ellensburg area: none
Starting Mileage leaving Ellensburg: 7285
Ending Mileage arriving Elma, WA: 7467
Miles Driven: 179
Avg. MPG: 7.0
Gas Price: $4.09--Cle Elum, WA

Travel Day
Overnight: Elma, Washington
Elma RV Park

Couldn't wait to get out of the campground at Ellensburg. So, we were off at 9 AM. Today's travel was over the Cascade Mountains and through Snoqualmie Pass.



We stopped for gas in the quaint town of Cle Elum. It was so quaint, we weren't sure we could get the RV through there. But, as you know, Dave's a whiz at getting the RV through a maze.

We ate lunch at a Sheri's restaurant. I had a delicious salad called a Pot Sticker Salad (Asian flavor, of course). Dave had some yummy Stuffed Baked Potato Soup. An older woman came into the restaurant while we were there, and bless her heart. She wanted to befriend everyone in the restaurant, whether worker or customer. She kept everyone entertained. When her meal arrived she said, "Oh, are we having quiche today?" Of course, that's what she ordered, but she may have forgotten that by the time it arrived.

We camped at the Elma RV Park. It's rather old, and there were a lot of "regulars" living there. But, the place was very clean. At check-in they really want you to feel welcome. So much so, they gave us home baked chocolate-chip cookies. If we would have had a dog, it would have gotten biscuits. Nice touch. Each site had flowers in the ground to spruce up the area. The best part is that we could use our Passport America membership, so the site only cost us $16 per night. And, we had WiFi and Cable TV, including Bravo! So, I was able to catch up a bit on Project Runway.



After getting set up and showering, we headed over to Amy Wright and family's home. Amy is Dave's 1st cousin, once removed. Amy is the daughter of Dave's first cousin, Dorothy, whom we will visit in Klamath Falls. Dave and Dorothy were very close when growing up and she gave me a wedding shower many moons ago. We had not had the pleasure of meeting Amy all these years, what with everyone moving to and fro.


Pictured Left to Right:
(back row) Jon, Amy, Oscar [dog], Dave
(front row) Emily, Adam, Timothy

Dave and Amy have been communicating via email for about a year. So, we sure looked forward to meeting her and her family. And, what a great family she has. when we arrived, Jon, Amy's husband, and the two boys (Timothy [eldest] and Adam) were all outside building a deck. After a few instructions, Jon put Dave right to work cutting beams. Dave enjoyed that.

Amy, Emily (Amy's daughter), and I spent our time getting acquainted. Amy fixed a delicious meal of manicotti and salad. Amy bought all kinds of peanut butter treats for Dave. So, he was in 7th Heaven.

After dinner, Dave and Amy discussed the ancestor findings.

They have a Dachshund named Oscar and a parrotlet (mini-parrot) named Kipper. As much as I love dogs, Oscar is a one-person dog. So, we haven't gotten too friendly as of yet. There's always tomorrow.

Jon is a nuclear medicine technician. He's on call at various times. So, 15 minutes before his shift was up at 10 PM, he was called to the hospital.

We stayed and visited with Amy and the family much too late, but we sure all had a good time. We drove back to the RV park and hit the hay.

Day 96 - USA Tour - Ellensburg, WA

Sightseeing Mileage in Spokane area: 10
Starting Mileage leaving Spokane: 7096
Ending Mileage arriving Ellensburg, WA: 7285
Miles Driven: 189
Avg. MPG: 6.9
Gas Price: $4.04--Ritzville, WA

Overnight: Ellensburg, Washington
Ellensburg KOA
Travel Day

Today we left at our usual 10 AM. The drive was mostly gentle slopes and flat lands. We stopped in a little Podunk town called Ritzville for lunch. I couldn't believe that they had a Perkins' Restaurant and about nothing else in town.

The lunch was the usual fare, but the hostess was just staring at me during lunch. As we were leaving, she went on and on about what a beautiful smile I had. Almost to the point of being weird.

We saw yet another way of stacking/storing haystacks. So, of course, I had to share it with you as well.



We made a turn coming down a valley and there before us was the massive Columbia River. It just takes your breath away as to the massiveness of this river. I can only imagine what it was like as an untamed waterway during the Lewis and Clark expedition.







There are people sitting on the rocks under this fountain getting their cool shower of water.

After we crossed the river, off in the distance, was Mount Rainier. Such a majestic mountain.



We arrived at the Ellensburg KOA about 5 PM.



This is a busy time as folks start to check in. While I was checking in, the host (woman) received a phone call, but she did not answer the phone. It stopped, and then it rang on another line. She turned to me and said, "If I don't answer one line, why do they call back on the 800 number--obviously, I'm busy." I thought that rather odd being that she needs those calls to make her living.

I left, and then Dave realized we needed to get propane for heat at night. So, I walked back in to inquire as to how we should get the propane. She said (annoyed) that she'd call someone. You have to block the entrance road to fill up, which was a lack of planning on their part.

After informing Dave where to park for the fill-up, I walked back into the office. There were 2 ladies at the counter (customers) and they were inquiring about getting a space that was right on the river. The host said (talking to the air) with all three of us customers at the counter, "If you give them a space with trees, they want the river. If you give them a space by the river, they want the trees."

I just couldn't help myself and I said, "Yea, those customers, they're always right!" You know that when over like a lead balloon.

Of course, I had insisted that we have a spot with good WIFI (three times) and was assured we'd be OK. We were told that there was CATV as well. But, when we got all set up, no TV and no WIFI. When I called about the WIFI, I was told that we should have a signal. When I called back again because I wasn't getting it, a man answered this time and he told me that none of the sites in the area where we were located would have WIFI. So much for informed staff.

By now, I've had enough of their lack of customer service. So, all we wanted to do was get out of there pronto in the morning. Too bad the hosts attitudes ruined the visit as it was a beautiful location.

Dave went outside in the early evening to sit at this picnic table.



He wanted to watch the birds and chill by the river. He said that quite a few folks pulled in for the weekend. Dave watched as a man arrived and set up his tent by the river. Then this guy's honey arrived. He said the couple couldn't get into the tent fast enough and put on quite a show for the campground. Dave saw a lot more than just the river. Naturally, I missed the free entertainment as I was watching the fuzzy TV picture show inside the RV. Dang.

Day 95 - USA Tour - Spokane, WA

Overnight: Spokane, WA
Visiting and Sightseeing Day

This morning Pixie and Oscar picked us up and drove us to the Veteran's Hospital where Oscar receives his lung treatments. But, the purpose of our visit was to pounce on a massive display of Vietnam and Service medals and badges. The guys had a great time pawning through the items. Dave picked up a few that he didn't have previously and Oscar added to Dave's collection with a few gifts.

While we were in the lobby, the skies opened up. We had a huge hail storm. I haven't seen one that thick in years. The ground was completely covered, not to mention the streets. As it started coming down, the construction crew poised at the roof area in cherry pickers (those buckets that utility companies use to fix power lines) came down quickly, dodging lightning strikes. What a storm!

After that bit of excitement, they drove us to the area of town where we had rented a house in the 1974 World's Fair in Spokane. Nothing of the area remains. All the homes have been torn down and replaced with shopping areas.

We decided to stop at a Mexican restaurant and get a bite to eat. It was really yummy and gave us high calories we needed to carry onward.

Next, to work off our filling lunch, we "drove" to Idaho to Couer 'd Alene Lake and Fenton Lake. Here's come pictures of the beautiful view. There is a Centennial path that goes along the lake and for miles and mile. It was created for the Lewis and Clark Centennial. As you can see, the weather was still a bit stormy, but that only made for some great cloud formations.



I caught Pixie by surprise, so it's not her best pose. She's quite a lovely woman.



On the other hand, I caught Oscar with his usual pose. Hee Hee.



Stormy Skies



Centennial Pathway

We drove back to their home to visit some more. No, we were not all talked out yet!

After a few more hours of good ol' chit-chat, they drove us back to the RV where we said our goodbyes for another couple of years. We hope they will be able to make it to the Branson, MO, Navy reunion in 2010.

I had put some leftover pieces of steak in the crockpot before we left this morning. I had a clever idea (as least I thought so) to freeze some steak leftovers from various restaurant meals. So, this morning I popped them in the crockpot with some cream of mushroom soup and a half package of onion soup mix. When we got back to the RV, it was all tender and yummy over some canned potatoes.

I worked on the blog some tonight and then did some crocheting. We have to shove off in the morning. So, adios my amigos...until the next entry, anyway.