We are officially in our second state now…..Idaho!!!! Today was a big day – 85 miles over the most beautiful terrain I have ever cycled through…from Baker City, Oregon to the Brownlee Reservoir of the Snake River, on the Idaho side! This trip took us through the rough and rugged, yet equally impressive and beautiful Hell’s Canyon National Park. It was a long day, but very much worth the reward at the end, as we crossed over the infamous Snake River at Brownlee Dam, quite the massive spectacle! This last part was NOT for anyone nervous about riding a skinny white line a yard away from extremely high cliffs looming over the river! We camped at Woodhead Park, 4 miles from the dam, RIGHT on the Snake River. Our views were fabulous, the park suberb, and the S’mores outstanding! It was a beautiful night that we all enjoyed immensely after a long day!
Some of you have mentioned that you wanted to hear Kim’s perspective of the trip…..not that you were sick of hearing from me! So, “guest-hosting” the rest of today’s journal entry is my lovely wife!
(Kim……) Hi to everyone back home! As I look back into the previous journals that Steve has posted, I have noticed that a few of the pictures show me “working”, and much of the journaling speaks of the things I do for everyone. Let me assure you all though….I am having the time of my life! It is such a blessing to see this wonderful country at such an “up close and personal” level. The news and media do a very good job of reporting depressing events and we are somewhat conditioned into thinking that people cannot always be trusted. However, this trip has blown me away with how nice people can be and how unique their experiences are. Granted, we have only traveled nine days into our journey, and basically covered only one state, but the things we have already done and the people we have met along the way have been priceless. Just in nine days, I am much more comfortable meeting and talking with strangers, navigating through terrain totally unfamiliar to me, and driving very windy, narrow mountain passes in a huge conversion van with my two precious children in it! I look forward to each day….even though there is a standard, common rhythm to each day, they are also quite different. It is fun driving into small towns and figuring out where the post office is located, as well as the bank, the library, and of course, where the best place is to eat or to shop for groceries! The locals are quite receptive to giving you their “two cents worth” about topics such as that!
Today we left our “warm showers” home at about 9:30 a.m. Pacific time in Baker City, Oregon. They were wonderful people….thanks again Mitch, Kathi, and Chelse! Baker City was a great town…..it was too bad we were there on a Sunday, as most of their downtown was closed. The guys left about one hour before we did….the kids and I always stay an extra hour or so after them to “organize” and pack the van. If you know me, then you know that makes me a “happy camper”! We hit a grocery store, a gas station, and McDonald’s (for coffee!!!) on the way out of town.
Five miles down the road we came upon the Oregon Trails Interpretative Center – quite the historic adventure. The kids and I spent about 2 hours there and were amazed at the displays and information. As we left the Baker Valley, it was really neat to look out into the terrain and see the actual grooves made from the wagon wheels of the people who forged the original Oregon Trail!! The next 60 miles we spent weaving and winding through the most beautiful valleys of Hells Canyon National Park. We met the guys a couple of times along the way, supplying them with snacks and water, and then moved ahead to scope out the possible campgrounds, deciding on Woodhead Park, along the Snake River. Absolutely gorgeous! I am enjoying being the one who gets to scope out the terrain and decide where we stay! Most times we have internet and cell phone coverage, but not always….so when we get behind in our entries or our phone calls, that’s the reason!
Once the guys arrived at camp, they pitched their tents while I made a round of PB&J’s for all, and then later we had deli sandwiches, fruit, chips, and S’mores that I had picked up along the way at a grocery store! The kids and I ran a couple of miles along the river, then showered and settled in for a great campfire. The evening was warm and the sunset over the mountains along the river was breathtaking. I went to sleep a very satisfied and grateful woman last night. This is truly the experience of a lifetime!
Today's Campsite at Brownlee Reservoir
Nathan and Anna at the Oregon Trail
Some of you have mentioned that you wanted to hear Kim’s perspective of the trip…..not that you were sick of hearing from me! So, “guest-hosting” the rest of today’s journal entry is my lovely wife!
(Kim……) Hi to everyone back home! As I look back into the previous journals that Steve has posted, I have noticed that a few of the pictures show me “working”, and much of the journaling speaks of the things I do for everyone. Let me assure you all though….I am having the time of my life! It is such a blessing to see this wonderful country at such an “up close and personal” level. The news and media do a very good job of reporting depressing events and we are somewhat conditioned into thinking that people cannot always be trusted. However, this trip has blown me away with how nice people can be and how unique their experiences are. Granted, we have only traveled nine days into our journey, and basically covered only one state, but the things we have already done and the people we have met along the way have been priceless. Just in nine days, I am much more comfortable meeting and talking with strangers, navigating through terrain totally unfamiliar to me, and driving very windy, narrow mountain passes in a huge conversion van with my two precious children in it! I look forward to each day….even though there is a standard, common rhythm to each day, they are also quite different. It is fun driving into small towns and figuring out where the post office is located, as well as the bank, the library, and of course, where the best place is to eat or to shop for groceries! The locals are quite receptive to giving you their “two cents worth” about topics such as that!
Today we left our “warm showers” home at about 9:30 a.m. Pacific time in Baker City, Oregon. They were wonderful people….thanks again Mitch, Kathi, and Chelse! Baker City was a great town…..it was too bad we were there on a Sunday, as most of their downtown was closed. The guys left about one hour before we did….the kids and I always stay an extra hour or so after them to “organize” and pack the van. If you know me, then you know that makes me a “happy camper”! We hit a grocery store, a gas station, and McDonald’s (for coffee!!!) on the way out of town.
Five miles down the road we came upon the Oregon Trails Interpretative Center – quite the historic adventure. The kids and I spent about 2 hours there and were amazed at the displays and information. As we left the Baker Valley, it was really neat to look out into the terrain and see the actual grooves made from the wagon wheels of the people who forged the original Oregon Trail!! The next 60 miles we spent weaving and winding through the most beautiful valleys of Hells Canyon National Park. We met the guys a couple of times along the way, supplying them with snacks and water, and then moved ahead to scope out the possible campgrounds, deciding on Woodhead Park, along the Snake River. Absolutely gorgeous! I am enjoying being the one who gets to scope out the terrain and decide where we stay! Most times we have internet and cell phone coverage, but not always….so when we get behind in our entries or our phone calls, that’s the reason!
Once the guys arrived at camp, they pitched their tents while I made a round of PB&J’s for all, and then later we had deli sandwiches, fruit, chips, and S’mores that I had picked up along the way at a grocery store! The kids and I ran a couple of miles along the river, then showered and settled in for a great campfire. The evening was warm and the sunset over the mountains along the river was breathtaking. I went to sleep a very satisfied and grateful woman last night. This is truly the experience of a lifetime!
Today's Campsite at Brownlee Reservoir
Nathan and Anna at the Oregon Trail
Hi Kimmie!! Thanks for taking all of us across the country with you!!
ReplyDeleteHugs from Jen
Hello Steve & Kim,
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading your daily journals, Sherry Moore passed along Kyle's and your link so I could follow along w/you all. This trip you are taking is really amazing...what a way to see the United States. Your pics are awesome!! I will be praying for your safety and endurance.
Thanks for sharing your journey...
God Bless you all,
~ Karla Evans
So enjoyed your entry Kim - thanks for taking a turn :)
ReplyDelete