As we drove through Oregon to Bend we passed by various negatively-named features (e.g., Stinking Water Pass, and Malheurs (bad something or other), but the ride was pleasant with little traffic. Eventually the three sisters came into view as we approached Bend (these mountains were important to Paul Willis in his fictional stories). Several people we know from the SB area have moved to Bend, and but after decades of growth it no longer feels like this neat recreational community in the mountains.
From Bend we headed to Ashland, Oregon, rather a short days drive. We chose to override KIA and head to Klamath Falls and then over the mountains to Ashland. When we chose to disregard KIA's instructions to drive past Crater Lake she went into a deep funk and wouldn't speak to us for quite a long time (in fact, I think she had a bit of a mental breakdown in that the display came flashing every few seconds "recomputing" but nothing came of it.) Eventually she swallowed her pride and resumed talking to us and giving us directions.
The route across the mountains passed by a tiny place called Lincoln where the Oregon Extension program of Trinity College is based. Many years ago we stayed there for a few days helping George Blount (retired Westmont Prof) with the construction of his cabin. We stopped at a small restaurant nearby where we had lunch. The restaurant offers free pie to through-hikers (someone who attempts to hike from Mexico to Canada in one season) on the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) that is close by.
After checking in our motel in Ashland we went to our friend Rosie's house. Rosie was the wife of Bob, my climbing/adventure buddy who tragically died in Yosemite last year. We had a precious visit with Rosie and then, later, her sister Suzie.
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| Karen, Suzie, and Rosie |
[Karen] In Boise we had a wonderful stay in a Hilton Garden Inn and Suites Kalon asked for a first floor room as his wife walked with a cane and had a bit of trouble with stairs. He kindly put us in a suite for a disabled person so I had grab bars in the shower and bathroom which I greatly appreciated. The first decent shower I had since Minnesota - which I am sure was much appreciated by Kalon! Kalon is delighting in giving me a hard time about my day spent in Jackson Hole catching up on the laundry because I had no more clean clothes. Since then he insists on pointing out each Guest Laundry in every motel in which we stay each time we pass its door as though that were my only passion! The country we passed through on the way to Bend was especially interesting to see as this is the country wagon trains on the Oregon Trail passed through here and signs continuously pointed to the route they took. We stopped for lunch at a small café where the pies were home made and came in every flavor under the sun. Everyone seemed to know each other and it was fascinating to experience the small community spirit. The Snake River accompanied us through to Drinkwater Pass and then left us. We also were accompanied by continual road work. We were reminded of Anne Studholme's comment about there being two seasons in Michigan, winter and road repair. We enjoyed the trip from Klamath Falls to Ashland on hwy 66 thru Lincoln as well as a stop for lunch which also included home made pie, After a great pastrami sandwich, I ordered rhubarb pie to go. Unfortunately, I left both half a sandwich and the pie in last night's motel refrigerator! WAAAAAH!
We pulled into Ashland about 3PM and had a lovely visit with Rosie and her sister who we enjoyed meeting and then had a great dinner with both of them as well as a tour of Ashland.
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