Road Trip Days 3 - 7
Day 3--To Salt Lake City! cynic51 and I drove north of Denver, through Wyoming's nothingness, and arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, roughly 8 hours later. The drive itself was unremarkable--we crossed the continental divide a couple of times (and I proceeded to have the best gas mileage on a tank of gas EVER as we were only going downhill for the better part of a tank), we saw some antelope, and ate at a roadside Subway right after a high school football team had cleared out most of the inventory...or at least the meatball subs. There were only two or three mountain passes that we had to downshift for, including the hella big hill between Park City and Salt Lake City. Hard to believe that wagon trains crossed the Wasatch Front! Hospitality by AD and NP was impeccable--they took us out for Vietnamese food and drinks, where we learned about the crazy liquor laws. AD has to purchase a yearly membership at his local sports bar. If he wasn't a member, each of us would have had to purchase "temporary" club memberships in order to go in. As it was, we were his entourage. Also, if someone was going to spend a solitary afternoon at the bar eating pizza and watching football, the individual would not be able to order a pitcher of beer, only pints. Interesting.
Day 4--To Portland! We headed out for a long day on the road, as it took about 12 hours to get from Salt Lake City to Portland, OR (84 through Idaho). The highway follows the path of the Oregon Trail, and thankfully, we did not die of dysentery :-) This was probably the most scenic part of the road trip--we went from high mountains to pine trees to Columbia River gorge very quickly! Arrived without incident at DKW/DW's house and had a pleasant evening staying up late and chatting about what families chat about.
Day 5--To nowhere! We did not set foot in the car, and it was wonderful! Wandered around Portland for the day doing various activities, which included eating lunch with MW and A at Kenny and Zuke's, browsing at Powell's Books, where I purchased the Tassajara Bread Book, drinking tea at the Camellia Lounge, and consuming salmon for dinner at DKW/DW's, and petting their wonderful dog, Chelsie. Very relaxing :-)
Day 6--To Tacoma, where I said goodbye to my car as I left it at the shipping company. Amtrak to Seattle, where the lovely dmw7 and ID picked us up for drinks and dinner with a whole gang of people at Chinooks. A lovely evening, though I did crash out, again.
Day 7--To the airport. Thanks to dmw7 and ID for the ride and hospitality. cynic51 and I checked in for our respective flights, ate a quick bagel together, hugged, and I got on the plane.
And now, I am in Anchorage, 4 hours behind Eastern Time. The views coming in over the mountains were gorgeous. Fall is in full bloom. Temperatures are crisp. I was met at the airport by SW (the PHPS fellow that I am "replacing') and her husband TP, who I promptly dropped off at the other terminal, as I am house sitting for them for the next month. I am excited to explore and get out...though I think I'll hold off until tomorrow on that one. Sitting on the couch doing nothing, knowing that I'm done moving for the moment, is something I need to savor for a bit.
Excited to be here, though!!!!
Day 4--To Portland! We headed out for a long day on the road, as it took about 12 hours to get from Salt Lake City to Portland, OR (84 through Idaho). The highway follows the path of the Oregon Trail, and thankfully, we did not die of dysentery :-) This was probably the most scenic part of the road trip--we went from high mountains to pine trees to Columbia River gorge very quickly! Arrived without incident at DKW/DW's house and had a pleasant evening staying up late and chatting about what families chat about.
Day 5--To nowhere! We did not set foot in the car, and it was wonderful! Wandered around Portland for the day doing various activities, which included eating lunch with MW and A at Kenny and Zuke's, browsing at Powell's Books, where I purchased the Tassajara Bread Book, drinking tea at the Camellia Lounge, and consuming salmon for dinner at DKW/DW's, and petting their wonderful dog, Chelsie. Very relaxing :-)
Day 6--To Tacoma, where I said goodbye to my car as I left it at the shipping company. Amtrak to Seattle, where the lovely dmw7 and ID picked us up for drinks and dinner with a whole gang of people at Chinooks. A lovely evening, though I did crash out, again.
Day 7--To the airport. Thanks to dmw7 and ID for the ride and hospitality. cynic51 and I checked in for our respective flights, ate a quick bagel together, hugged, and I got on the plane.
And now, I am in Anchorage, 4 hours behind Eastern Time. The views coming in over the mountains were gorgeous. Fall is in full bloom. Temperatures are crisp. I was met at the airport by SW (the PHPS fellow that I am "replacing') and her husband TP, who I promptly dropped off at the other terminal, as I am house sitting for them for the next month. I am excited to explore and get out...though I think I'll hold off until tomorrow on that one. Sitting on the couch doing nothing, knowing that I'm done moving for the moment, is something I need to savor for a bit.
Excited to be here, though!!!!