Monday, October 12, 2009

Back and Forth Across the Columbia River

Or the blog also known as: Lives ruled by rivers, mountains, guitar chords and dogs.

Tuesday: Whole family left Boise on Tuesday night to drive to Richland, WA just north of the Columbia river for a head start on our journey. The evening was fine and we loved meeting our new host, Jeff who was a great person we hope to spend more time with in the future.
I always drive first

From Washington - Oregon 1009

Southern Washington
From Washington - Oregon 1009


Wednesday: Drove from Richland to Bellingham via Seattle. Beautiful vinyards and orchards everywhere. Driving along the Columbia river, little boats out fishing. Stopped at Pike Place Market in Seattle, wandered around then went by Amber's work to get a hug from the darling momma to be. So wonderful to see her but sad that we didn't have time to hang out. On the road again headed north. Stopped to take a short hike off hwy 11 just south of our destination. Walked along the railroad tracks and ate late season blackberries on the walk to beachcomb along the Samish Bay. Arrived at Barb and Mikes in the afternoon. After a short rest and settling in we had a wonderful dinner that Barb prepared. Such gracious and wonderful people are too short in supply. We were reluctant to leave the conversation and great fun but had a show to see. The show was at WWU in a small rehearsal hall. Bo opened like usual, Greg coming on afterward. The show was a good one and we were so thrilled and energized to be traveling, meeting such great folks and seeing such good music. We stayed up after the show with Barb and Mike talking and having some wine then finally went to bed.
Jordan with the King at Pike Place
From Washington - Oregon 1009

Not enough time in Seattle, we'll have to go back
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Stopped to do some beachcombing and rest
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Samish Bay
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Cobi at Samish Bay
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Thursday: Woke early and went on a walk by the waterside with B&M. Gorgeous area Fairhaven is. I made breakfast for us all and then after some very sad goodbyes and promises to see each other soon, we were back on the road. Met up with an old high school friend and his wife for a short tea break on our way down hwy 20 toward Winthrop. It was fun to reminisce and Jordan loved knowing I was a teenager once. The drive along hwy 20 was spectacular. The northern Cascade mountains are so majestic and the turquoise water of the Skagit river is simply magical. We stopped a few times to take pictures or short walks and then realized we better get to Winthrop. Pulled in late afternoon and checked into our hotel only to find Greg and Bo out back near the river. Greg had lost a boot heel while down fishing and they were looking about for it. After a quick dinner in our room we headed down to the Winthrop barn for the show. This show was in a small venue with great sound quality. Bo opened again-with the wonderful sound his performance was truly moving and Greg had a great energy even improvising a song about his lost boot heel. After the show we had some wine and chatted with Greg and Bo for quite a bit. Back at the hotel, we all chatted some more and finally made it to bed.
Out on our morning walk with Mike and Barb along the Bellingham Bay
From Washington - Oregon 1009

Jordan, Cobi and Kyme with Dan, the founder of Fairhaven
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Majestic North Cascades
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More mountains
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There were deer everywhere in Winthrop, we must have seen almost 100 all over the west edge of town as we got in, walked around and went to the show
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View out our back patio of our room. This is the Methow river. Greg was fishing just to the left of this picture
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Local fiddle player John joined Bo and Greg onstage for a few songs
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Our Winthrop hotel, The River Run Inn. Our room at the top of the stairs, Greg's just below
From Washington - Oregon 1009


Friday: After a late night, we got up slowly but knew we had a long day of driving so showered and hit the road just after the sun came up. There are tons of deer in this area and we saw many, many deer on our way in to town as well as our way in. Still awed by the scenery, we couldn't stop but drove and drove. Took a short break in Olympia to eat and walked the trail around Tumwater falls, near the old Oly brewery. The salmon were spawning in the lower pools and it was truly something to behold.
Back on the road again we crossed the Columbia river and pulled into Portland later than expected after wading through a bunch of traffic. Dropped Jordan off at Mom's house and made it to the venue just in time to get in line. We were lucky to chat and meet up with many other Greg Brown fans at this show. Good show this night with ok sound quality but the set was very nice. We made it back to mom's tired and weary and ready to sleep.
Morning in the north Cascades
From Washington - Oregon 1009

From Washington - Oregon 1009

Diablo Lake, one of the many reservoirs along the Skagit river, they are turquoise in color due to the water coming directly from glacial melt
From Washington - Oregon 1009

mmmhh
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Jordan and Kyme at Tumwater falls in Olympia
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Returning chinook salmon, we couldn't believe how many there were
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Amazing to see wild salmon in the river spawning!
From Washington - Oregon 1009


Saturday: Woke up as early as we could manage while being so road weary. Chatted a little with mom and went to breakfast and the flea market before heading out of town again. We realized that we hadn't expected the bummer of not having enough time to spend with those people we were meeting and the family we loved along the way. This is a great lesson we learned on this trip and won't make that mistake again!
Drove to the coast and stopped at Seaside where we fed seals at the aquarium and walked along the beach. Then drove the coast north to Astoria and crossed the Columbia river yet again. Turned inland and made it to Olympia with just barely enough time to stop by Jed's and drop Jordan off then run to the show. This venue was weird, strange energy, rude people and a bad sound system. We were tired and to have all this was a bummer. The show was super short due to some sound issues that really pissed Greg off. We were sad about this but super hungry and tired so we stopped for food on our way back to Jed's then slept very well.
Stopped in Seaside to feed Seals
From Washington - Oregon 1009

Kyme and Jordan on beach in Seaside
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Crossing the Columbia at Astoria
From Washington - Oregon 1009

Kyme and Bo after the Olympia show
From Washington - Oregon 1009


Sunday: Up early watched some Jimmy Newtron with the girls then out to breakfast before hitting the road for the very long drive home. Crossing the Columbia one last time as we left Washington, we said goodbye to our silent companion. Stopped at Multnomah falls for a short rest then back on the road. We drove and drove and drove and made it home late Sunday evening to happy dogs and a welcome bed.
Multnomah falls and two very tired girls
From Washington - Oregon 1009


This was our last major trip for this year and we are so thankful to everyone who hosted us, housesat for us, fed our dogs and cheered us on along the way. If you would like to see the whole picture album you can do so here. Thanks everyone!
Kyme, Cobi and Jordan.