Soakin' Up the Sun

photo courtesy of Hendel D'bu

Best friends, road trip, and sunshine! Add in lots of laughter, singing, and some pretty heavy discussion, a nice, quiet hotel room, and our Starbucks - What a great combo, you say - well, that's right!

Liz and I had a lovely time driving across the state through miles of golden wheatfields, orchards, vineyards, following the lines of the Columbia River, the Snake, and Idaho's Clearwater.

So many historical markers along the way, most of which told yet another piece of the journey of Lewis & Clark. Once we got into Idaho, the Nez Perce, missionaries, Gold Rush, and some political figures added some variety.

Our final destination was the tiny town of Kamiah where my 89 year old mother lives in her pleasant retirement community. Can I say that Liz felt as if she'd met her before? Dang, I am so like her in certain ways, though she gave us a run for our money with some pretty intense questions and her dry wit. She really enjoyed our visit with so much laughter - I think we sorta wore her out, though she says not.

On heading back, we drove the famous 'Spiral Highway' that starts 2000 feet up from the Lewiston valley floor. It's purported to be the most twisty bit of road in the country, though we think Highway 1 north of San Francisco is more challenging. Then we poked along checking out little, old towns along the way stopping when we felt the urge to snap a few pics. Here are my favorites: