Up early and left home at 6:42 headed for breakfast at Madaline's in Redmond. I know six miles isn't much of a start, but we're hoping to skip lunch with a big breakfast. Anyway by 7:25 we're headed south on 97, with Starbucks in hand, for Bend and then east on 20 looking at a four an a half hour drive to Idaho. I may have mentioned before that at 3,365 miles US 20 is the longest highway in the country, starting in Lincoln City, Oregon and ending in Boston, Massachusetts. Along the way 20 passes through Plainview, Nebraska, hometown of a good friend.
Nothing has changed in Central Oregon. Sagebrush. Cattle. A lone tree now and then. Highlights include Brothers (population 87), Stinking Water Creek, Drinkwater Pass and the siamese twin towns of Hines and Burns. The Malheur River has always been a welsomed sight toward the end of Oregon, but not this time. A light showfall this winter has the water level down to the lowest we've ever seen it.
It's still early around Vale, but there are signs of onions and what Barb thinks are potatoes. Lots of fields look ready for planting, so corn should show up soon.
In Ontario we found our way onto Interstate 84 and headed for Idaho. Crossing the snake river I was in for a surprise. The speed limit is now 80 MPH on the interstate. Makes travel time quicker, but doesn't do a lot for gas mileage. Finished the day at 28.4 MPG, so I'm not too disappointed. Cruise control is a must or you will find yourself doing 90 and adaptive cruise is a plus with all the truck traffic.
Stopped in Nampa at Fred Meyer for gas and a walk about. I don't like the Nampa to Boise drive. Eight lane highway, but still too much traffic. On the other hand, at 80 MPH we were in Twin Falls by about 4:00.
Dinner was shared fajitas at Chili"s and the Fairfield Inn is new, so all in all the day was a good one and ended well.
470 miles today.
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