carols_stuff | (no subject)

So, anyone up for a ton of photos and a little about the trip? If not, shuffle on past this.

NOT dial-up friendly

I got a late start on Friday and left town about 3:00. Nice drive, decent weather, lots of road construction. But because it was later when I left, I stopped less far away than originally planned. Spent the night in Pendleton Oregon. Among other interesting things about Pendleton, it's the site of the Eastern Oregon State Prison, and it's also the home of the Pendleton Round-up, one of the larger rodeo's every year in the west. Quiet night in an over priced below average motel (it's decidedly worse than when we've stayed there in the past).
Back on the road again in the morning, I left a little later since I stopped at a store for silly things I forgot (toothbrush, notepad, pen) and took some photos. Then off I went. I opted to go up through Walla Walla Washington by a little more country route, but still good road. Sadly that took me into the truck route into town that had detours and I ended up severely lost. Calls to several people got me to Jewell who talked me out of town and onto the freeway. from there is was an easy drive to Spokane. However it was later when I got there, exhausted. Did I mention the rain? Pretty much through all of Washington. I stopped at Motel 6 for the night. Reasonable, clean and the front desk was nice. Room, with a decent internet connection, less than $50. Slept like the dead to get up to-more rain.
I spent Sunday wandering around town, shopping, eating, and loving it even if it was very wet. I also opted to not go on to Sandpoint. Not much I can do there with as wet as it was. So stayed in the same place again.
Up early Monday and drove home. Went back through Pasco this time, never had to get off the freeway. It stopped raining just before I left Washington. Easy drive, stopped several times to stretch or take photos or eat, and was home by 5:00.
Jeannie and Matt stopped after she got off work and brought me a pretty blouse. Other than that, not much to say. It was nice to be gone, it's okay to be home. Took the car back at lunch and checked the miles-998 miles total. Not bad. Mileage could have been better, but it was a larger car.
So, photos. Click twice for full sized

Fruitland to Sandpoint by way of Pasco then back down through Walla Walla and the rest of the way like going up