Heading East--Summer Vacation 2015

Day 1: Home to Parma Idaho.

Kathy here:  Jeff and I were so excited to leave for our summer vacation on June 13, the day after I got off work.  The last weeks before we left were busy as usual, but included some time for fun also.

School's out celebration

The cooks

Neil, Carol and Tillie

Our itinerary for this trip involves lots of long drives with rewards of family and fun at the end of the road.  The first leg of our journey is back across the midsection of the country headed east.  Poor Jeff has to cover the same ground as when he came west with Max from Chicago.

Jeff added decals to the car.  Guess where his allegiance lies.

We packed our little car to the gills with everything including the pots and pans (we are planning on doing some camping).  We left promptly at 8:30, except we had to quickly return when the sun shone in my eyes and I realized I had forgotten my hats.  SO at 8:45 ,we really did get on the road.  We went through Springfield and up highway 126 and met with David to have breakfast at the Vida Cafe.  After delicious eggs and delightful conversation (and a piece of toast for Spirit) we continued over the pass with a brief stop at Sahalie Falls.

Jon and Sharon had invited us to stop by on our way through Bend.  They are in the middle of a wonderful transition.  They sold their house and property and are preparing to build a retirement house on a lot at Brasada Ranch.

We went to Jon's friend's ranch and saw their transition housing.......a camp trailer with a view of the three sisters and bucolic cattle grazing in the emerald green grass.  They have downsized into paradise!!  I'm more than a little jealous that they get to go camping all summer.  I might not be so envious when winter hits.  After getting the tour of their present digs, they took us over to the lot where they are planning to build their retirement home.  What a great piece of property.  Then we went to the Ranch.  Swimming pool, workout room, tennis and basketball courts, golf course, restaurant......all I could say is  WOW!  We are so happy for them!!  As Jon said, it's wonderful to dream, but even better when the dream comes true!

View from behind Jon and Sharon's trailer

Jeff, Jon and Sharon

Grazing cows are in their front yard

Temporary Home Sweet Home for the Duersts

The pool at Brasada Ranch

Lunch overlooking the high desert

After having a delicious lunch on the balcony overlooking the grounds and facing the mountains, we said goodbye and got on the road for real.  Jeff was focused on making up time, and boy did we ever.  We got on highway 20 and drove through Eastern Oregon and over the Idaho border with the goal of making it to Boise.  Or at least to Caldwell and a meet up with I-80 that would take us across the country.

View along the road

But I was fading fast....getting tired and dizzy. We started calling motels in Caldwell when we were an hour away, but it was already after 9 pm and there was no room at any inn.  As we were passing through the town of Parma, Jeff spied a Vacancy sign and pulled off the road.  Ian, the proprietor was pushing a cleaning cart, which seemed promising.  The outside of the "Parma Inn" was run down, but we asked to see a room. 

The motel room that we were shown was like no other I have ever seen.  Not only was it grungy and threadbare, there was a mattress leaning up against the wall, no place to sit and when I looked up I said "can you show us a room that has a ceiling?"  The ceiling was gone and plastic sheeting was taped up instead.  Sooooo, we walk with Ian to see another room.  This one was smaller, and just as grungy, but it did have a ceiling.  Seeing that our options were limited, we saw that the bathroom was marginally clean and after a conference, decided to stay.

We didn't waste any time, but had a quick snack, brushed our teeth and got into bed.  I had to use my coat to add to the height of the flatest pillow ever, and there was no soap, no water glass and no washcloth in the bathroom.  Just a couple of mismatched towels.  Neither of us would take off our socks and walk on that carpet barefoot! Anyway, we got into bed, stared at the stained ceiling and argued about whether or not to stay.  The argument was quelled when I drifted off to sleep.  Jeff got about 3 hours of sleep, but mostly watched me snore and waited for dawn.  We both got up at about 6, had showers using my shampoo for soap and got out of there as quickly as possible. 

The only cure for a night like that is a greasy breakfast and lots of coffee.  We found both a little way down the road at a truck stop cafe in Caldwell.  Note to selves......be sure to call ahead for a motel no later than 6 pm!!!!!

The vacancy sign that cause all the trouble.....that room should always remain vacant!!

Delighted to be leaving

As soon as the sun rose, we were gone!