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| Mick and Linda's House |
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| Plenty of Spots to Perfect my Lounging Techniques |
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| View from the Decks |
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| Olympic Mountains Beyond the Trees |
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| Every Shower Should Have this View |
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| Critters |
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| Two (at Least) Horses Asses |
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| Sunset Through the Trees |
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Day 35 - Olympia WA - 5520 Miles
Just relaxing at Mick and Linda's (Terry's brother and sister-in-law) and checking out potential summer housing options in Olympia. It hit 90 degrees here today but that's still much better than Austin and it will cool down here while Austin will only get worse.
One of the highlights of visiting is using Mick's outdoor shower. For some reason it just seems to help get the day started out right. If you look over my shoulder you'll see the flea and tick shampoo. I'm not sure who all I'm sharing the shower with.
What makes the deck even more relaxing is watching the interactions of the local animals - Mick and Linda's horses and dogs along with neighbors' llamas, cows, sheep, and one goat that thinks it's a sheep. Add to that the sounds of a rooster, geese and ducks that pass through, and nighttime frogs and coyotes and it is way more entertaining than TV.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Day 32 - Olympia WA - 5374 Miles
We made it! After a night in Yakima WA (on of the many tourist meccas we've passed through) we made the final push into Olympia. According to Google Maps, it's about 2100 miles from Austin to Olympia. We managed to take a route that added 3000 miles to that. Google also says it takes 35 hours of driving time. Since we've been out over 30 days, that means we mustered only about an hour of actual progress per day. That sounds about right for this point in my life.
We chose a route into Olympia that took us through Mt.Rainier National Park. (I recovered another $15 toward my park pass). As has been the norm it was raining, cloudy, and cold. I never actually saw the mountain. They claim one's there, though. We talked to a guy who had been there three days and hadn't seen the mountain yet.
This is the place where climbers begin their ascent to the summit. We talked to one guy getting ready to start his climb. He said it was a three day trip to the top and pointed out his camp sites on the map. Once he left he could have climbed about 300 feet into the clouds, camped right there, and come back down three days later, and no one would know the difference. I asked a ranger to point out the direction where the mountain actually was so I could take a picture of Terry with the "mountain" in the background.
If this is a Washington lake in late June, I may have to reconsider locations for a place to spend the summer.
We chose a route into Olympia that took us through Mt.Rainier National Park. (I recovered another $15 toward my park pass). As has been the norm it was raining, cloudy, and cold. I never actually saw the mountain. They claim one's there, though. We talked to a guy who had been there three days and hadn't seen the mountain yet.
This is the place where climbers begin their ascent to the summit. We talked to one guy getting ready to start his climb. He said it was a three day trip to the top and pointed out his camp sites on the map. Once he left he could have climbed about 300 feet into the clouds, camped right there, and come back down three days later, and no one would know the difference. I asked a ranger to point out the direction where the mountain actually was so I could take a picture of Terry with the "mountain" in the background.
If this is a Washington lake in late June, I may have to reconsider locations for a place to spend the summer.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Day 29 - Boise ID - 4811 Miles
Yup, still here. I really like the city and could live here with no trouble at all, but there just isn't anything exciting to relay. I think that's part of why I like it. Yesterday we walked about five miles along the greenbelt bordering the Boise River and finished up at a coffee shop downtown. Today we strolled through the local mall and finished up at a different coffee shop downtown. I acted in usual Austin fashion when parking a car in town. As soon as I saw on open parking spot within 0.3 miles of our destination, I parked. No questions asked. I should have been paying better attention since on or walk to the coffee shop we passed about 75 open spots.
We have managed to hit Boise's "sweet spot" for weather while we were here. Little rain and temperatures in the 60's-80's range. We've missed cold weather and the forecast for this weekend is 106-108, but we'll be long gone by then. I love the town but would want no part of winters and it seems like at least some summer days can be every bit as hot as Texas.
Tonight for our last night it's back for another shot at a Basque restaurant and the elusive Basque beer. While getting coffee we found two candidates so we ought to be able to pull this off. Tomorrow it's on to Yakima.
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P.S. - Went to Bar Gernika, our Basque restaurant, tonight. We went to another place first that advertised "Fine Basque Dining". I always worry about a place that uses some variant of "fine dining" in their description. It tends to equate to "expensive". They didn't open for another 20 minutes so we looked at their menu and I was right. Moved on to our second choice. While the waitress was talking of their beer selection I asked if they had any Basque beers. She said they didn't since there were so many local craft beers available. I didn't quite get the logic but I ended up with an Idaho beer. Terry got a Basque wine. We ordered a plate of Basque cheeses and had Basque pork and lamb sandwiches. For my side I had croquetas, a deep fried chicken, egg, and milk ball. The chicken was such a fine paste you would swear they were deep fried cheese balls.
We have managed to hit Boise's "sweet spot" for weather while we were here. Little rain and temperatures in the 60's-80's range. We've missed cold weather and the forecast for this weekend is 106-108, but we'll be long gone by then. I love the town but would want no part of winters and it seems like at least some summer days can be every bit as hot as Texas.
Tonight for our last night it's back for another shot at a Basque restaurant and the elusive Basque beer. While getting coffee we found two candidates so we ought to be able to pull this off. Tomorrow it's on to Yakima.
----------------------------------------------------
P.S. - Went to Bar Gernika, our Basque restaurant, tonight. We went to another place first that advertised "Fine Basque Dining". I always worry about a place that uses some variant of "fine dining" in their description. It tends to equate to "expensive". They didn't open for another 20 minutes so we looked at their menu and I was right. Moved on to our second choice. While the waitress was talking of their beer selection I asked if they had any Basque beers. She said they didn't since there were so many local craft beers available. I didn't quite get the logic but I ended up with an Idaho beer. Terry got a Basque wine. We ordered a plate of Basque cheeses and had Basque pork and lamb sandwiches. For my side I had croquetas, a deep fried chicken, egg, and milk ball. The chicken was such a fine paste you would swear they were deep fried cheese balls.
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| Making Croquetas |
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| All Things Basque Except Us and my Beer |
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Day 27 - Boise ID - 4779 Miles
This may come as quite a surprise to you, but there isn't a whole lot to see between Idaho Falls and Boise. We crossed the Snake River half a dozen times and saw the landscape change from one driven by lava flows to just plain dirt, but that was about it. We did have the opportunity to stop at the Potato Museum, but since I figured my annual park pass would be of no benefit there we skipped it. Another thing that may surprise you is that things don't get a whole lot better once you reach Boise. It's a nice city with a vibrant downtown area, but it's by no means unique. Today we ventured downtown to see what it had to offer.
There's a weekly street fair that was nice but I really need to cut back on my street food grazing.
We then wandered over to see the state capital.
Just as we got there a parade broke out. I assumed it was in celebration of our arrival.
As it turned out the Shriners Circus was in town this weekend and the parade was actually a promotion for their event. I found that very deflating but we watched the parade anyway. After that we went to the Basque Block where we heard you could get some really good Basque food. I can't tell you the last time I was at a good Basque restaurant. Actually I can't tell you the last time I heard of a Basque restaurant. We had lunch at a crowded place in the heart of the Basque area. Unfortunately, however, going to a restaurant in the Basque area doesn't mean you are going to a Basque restaurant. We split a club sandwich with coleslaw and a bruschetta. They carried no Basque beer (assuming there is such a thing). We thought we might return to the area tomorrow, but after some further research it seems the Basques are a very religious people since none of the actual Basque restaurants are open on Sunday.
The next stop was the Idaho territorial prison. It operated from the 1870's until 1973 when a riot and ensuing fire burned much of the prison and it was shut down.
We learned one of the most interesting aspects of the prison on the way out. Terry asked the docent when all the rose bushes were added to the prison grounds. He said they were there while the prison was in operation. The "Rose Garden" where hangings were held actually was a rose garden and some of the rose bushes on the grounds are nearly 100 years old. The bushes were maintained by prisoners and grounds maintenance was one of the more coveted jobs in the prison. It seems that job was seen in a good light by parole boards.
We have two more days to explore Boise. That's like having four hours to take a shower.
There's a weekly street fair that was nice but I really need to cut back on my street food grazing.
We then wandered over to see the state capital.
As it turned out the Shriners Circus was in town this weekend and the parade was actually a promotion for their event. I found that very deflating but we watched the parade anyway. After that we went to the Basque Block where we heard you could get some really good Basque food. I can't tell you the last time I was at a good Basque restaurant. Actually I can't tell you the last time I heard of a Basque restaurant. We had lunch at a crowded place in the heart of the Basque area. Unfortunately, however, going to a restaurant in the Basque area doesn't mean you are going to a Basque restaurant. We split a club sandwich with coleslaw and a bruschetta. They carried no Basque beer (assuming there is such a thing). We thought we might return to the area tomorrow, but after some further research it seems the Basques are a very religious people since none of the actual Basque restaurants are open on Sunday.
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| Terry at the Boise River |
The next stop was the Idaho territorial prison. It operated from the 1870's until 1973 when a riot and ensuing fire burned much of the prison and it was shut down.
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| Our Latest Priceline Room |
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| The "Rose Garden" Where Hanging were Done |
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| Ruins of Dining Hall |
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| Exterior of Cellblock |
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| Interior of Cellblock |
We have two more days to explore Boise. That's like having four hours to take a shower.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Day 25 - Idaho Falls ID - 4479 Miles
We have placed our trays and seat backs in their upright and locked positions in preparations for our leisurely approach into the Olympia WA area.
Tuesday we made the drive from Jackson WY to Idaho Falls ID. It was under 100 miles. I like the daily drives where we can leave one place after breakfast and make it to our destination in time for an early lunch. We stopped by the hotel but I don't think the occupants of our room had gotten up yet so we spent time at the mall with the mall walkers before stopping in a place for coffee and to split a cupcake. That's my preferred activity level. The Snake River runs behind our hotel and through town. They've built a nice walking path along the river, across the river, and into town which allows me to continue training for my version of a triathlon - strolling followed by coffee and a cookie. Photo ops, however, were limited.
Wednesday, to get another $8 credit toward my Park Pass, we went to Craters of the Moon National Monument. We drove about 1-1/2 hours west through the "high desert" of Idaho. Lots of empty land except for the occasional volcanic cone. This park is lava flows and dead volcanoes from eruptions several thousand years ago.
At some point long ago someone decided this would be a good area for nuclear research. We passed the site and it looked like pictures you see of Area 51. I thought about testing the perimeter but decided against it since God only knows how many threat lists I'm already on.
Today was a triathlon day - a stroll into town for coffee and to split a danish. After that we took the rest of the afternoon to recover. Tomorrow it's on to that tourist hotspot of Boise ID for four days. Be still my beating heart.
Tuesday we made the drive from Jackson WY to Idaho Falls ID. It was under 100 miles. I like the daily drives where we can leave one place after breakfast and make it to our destination in time for an early lunch. We stopped by the hotel but I don't think the occupants of our room had gotten up yet so we spent time at the mall with the mall walkers before stopping in a place for coffee and to split a cupcake. That's my preferred activity level. The Snake River runs behind our hotel and through town. They've built a nice walking path along the river, across the river, and into town which allows me to continue training for my version of a triathlon - strolling followed by coffee and a cookie. Photo ops, however, were limited.
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| Idaho Falls - It's not Niagara but it's all I have to Work With |
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| Idaho Falls |
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| First Mormon Temple Built in Idaho |
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| The High Desert from your High Plains Drifter |
At some point long ago someone decided this would be a good area for nuclear research. We passed the site and it looked like pictures you see of Area 51. I thought about testing the perimeter but decided against it since God only knows how many threat lists I'm already on.
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| Lava Flows |
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| Terry Looking into the Mouth of a Volcano |
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| That Wasn't Me. It was the Gasses from the Lava Flow. |
Today was a triathlon day - a stroll into town for coffee and to split a danish. After that we took the rest of the afternoon to recover. Tomorrow it's on to that tourist hotspot of Boise ID for four days. Be still my beating heart.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Day 22- Jackson WY - 4189 Miles
Drove from Yellowstone, through the Grand Teton National Park, to Jackson WY. We also made a side trip to Teton Village. I've been to lots of place dripping with money but this was different. Usually places with lots of money want to make sure you know they have lots of money. Some are more subtle than others, but they all make sure it's clear they have money. Things here were very subdued, but you knew there was money all around. After we got to our room in Jackson, I checked on a hotel room a Teton Village. They were in the $900 - $1500 range. I guess that explains why my $40 Priceline bids didn't work. There wasn't a Motel 6 or Comfort Inn in sight.
We checked on taking the tram to the top of the mountain at Teton Village and it was $32 per person. We opted for the ski lift in Jackson to the top of a different mountain for $17 per person. Sure the trade-off was being at the top of a mountain with a restaurant vs one with a coke machine and an outhouse, but for $15 each, it was worth it.
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| Grand Tetons |
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| Grand Tetons |
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| Snake River |
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| Teton Village Ski Slopes |
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| Teton Village |
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| Tetons from Snow King Mountain |
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| This is How I Enjoy a Ski Resort |
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| King (and Queen) of the World |
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| Jackson WY |
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| My Version of Downhill Skiing |
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| Two Brilliant Men in Jackson |
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Day 20 - West Yellowstone MT - 3984 Miles
Our last day at Yellowstone. It started at 31 degrees but rose rapidly to 60. Very pleasant. Most of our time was at Lake Yellowstone. Tomorrow we head south to Jackson WY.
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| Miscellaneous Waterfall |
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| Geothermal Pools at Lake Yellowstone |
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| Underwater Geysers at Lake Yellowstone |
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| Lots of Blue |
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| Our First View of the Tetons |
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