Already it is fading into memory and it has only been two weeks! How can a fairly long and leisurely road trip slip into a series of events on iPhoto?
Not being much of a vacation kind of guy, mr. hubby somehow managed to not only endure two weeks on the road but enjoy it, especially the hikes in Sandpoint and the beach walks on Whidbey and the dinners with family. The driving got to be a bit much but really only in the very beginning and at the end, when we had mentally switched back into home mode and were driving through miles of flat high desert.
Living as we do in the lee of the Sierra, at the edge of the land of sagebrush, we don't often get to drink in this much water - a whole sound of it as well as it pouring from the sky. As a matter of fact it poured from the sky from Portland to Boise. Our skin drank it up and we learned that it doesn't slow anyone down in the Northwest. Oh no, you just get out there in your slicker and do whatever it is you had planned to do.
The colors are softer. We found ourselves picking up pretty rocks by the pound only to find that here, at home, they just look like rocks but when we were choosing them from the beach they looked like shiny precious gems.
The seas were too choppy to go out on the ferries and visit other islands (for this seasick-prone traveler anyway) so we'll have to go back to see more, but we did see a lot in the few days we spent on Whidbey Island. And we were able to indulge in more of our family "Jesse Stone" marathon.
But then we headed east, where rain turned to snow.
We spent a night in the Methow Valley...
We hiked and drove and walked all around Sandpoint...
Sandpoint is a hiking, running, biking and skiing kind of place, and in the summer I hear life revolves around the lake and all the water sports you can dream up. We just missed the lake season and hope to get back up there for a taste of it before too long. I liked it as I saw it, though - fall colors and low-hanging clouds and quiet beaches.
We found more shiny rocks, but these we resisted and took home only in a photograph... beginning to realize that the beauty is in the context.
We worked on wearing out our welcome in the all-too-comfortable guest apartment of our generous hosts (also family) and then, regretfully, hit the road south.
And found McCall!
Which could be calling our name in a loud voice... we're checking it out right now.
It is hard to think about leaving sunny California - but there are many reasons to consider Idaho. Not immediately, but not too long from now. Before we're tottering around in our walkers.
Suddenly we were back in familiar territory and our own stomping grounds.
The sky cleared up as we drove west on I-80. Traffic increased. Bright lights and neon appeared.
NEVADA!
We made our re-entry into the eastern Sierra via one of our favorite hotels.
Vaca is over. Just in time to settle in for the winter. Long nights to use to plan for the future. Pine trees right out our window. Ice skating to think aobut.
It was good to go and it is good to be home. It is nice to know that there are good places everywhere. We've had a great run here and maybe it is close to being over and maybe not. Hard to say. Travel opens the mind to new possibilities and helps us see the present with a fresh eye. At the same time it helps us appreciate what we have in hand. Good friends, a history here, networks to get things done. A good life. Together and wherever.
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