Day 22 - Cedar City, Utah to Home

Always up early on the day we will get home and today was no exception. Decided to skip breakfast in Cedar City in hopes of finding something down the road. Fifty-two miles later we were sitting comfortably at a Cracker Barrel (is there a better place for breakfast?) in St. George, Utah.

Back on the road, we had light traffic going through Las Vegas and then we were back in the desert. After some very scenic days, we were stuck with 254 or so miles of pretty much nothing to see. Oh, there were mountains and of course we waited with great anticipation for the first Saguaro cactus.

So enough we were home and it was nice to be back. Long driving trips are fun, but sometimes enough is enough. We had a lot of fun with family and friends and that made it all worthwhile.

Day 21 - Twin Falls, Idaho to Cedar City, Utah

Thinking today would be a long drive we were up at 5:45, walking into Chick-Fil-A at 6:30 when they opened and on the road at 7:05. Turns out miles go by pretty quick when the speed limit is 80 miles per hour. It was 80 all the way except for 60 or so miles around Salt Lake City where construction dropped the speed limit to 70 or 75. I can tell you 75 through construction is not my idea of fun.

Pretty much a nice drive today, except between Ogden and Provo. All the little towns I remember from when I was going to college in Salt Lake City in the early 60’s have now seemed to have merged into one. Heavy traffic and construction just aren’t my cup of tea. Did get a peek-a-boo look at The Great Salt Lake and the state capital from the Interstate. Wasatch Mountains are still impressive and there was still a hint of snow in some places.

Didn’t see one roadside cross in Utah. However, there were a number of signs along the highway reminding drivers that 62 have died on Utah highways this summer. I suppose passengers would be interested in that information too.

Corn held on to the top spot today, with hay surging ahead to take Silver. Bronze went to rain, which cleaned bugs off the windshield several times.

Lunchtime found us spending much too much time in Provo looking for Firehouse Subs. Construction once again reared its ugly head both arriving and leaving the world’s best sub. Dinner was a chicken and shrimp fajitas, along with a fairly decent IPA.

Well, this is our last night on the road. The close of Day 22 will find us back in our own home and once again sleeping in our own bed.

As of close of business today we have added 3680.7 miles to our trusty Ford, dispelling that nasty Fix Or Repair Daily rumor.

Day 20 - Redmond, Oregon to Twin Falls, Idaho

Well, this is embarrassing. After 19 days of posting I just discovered my new improved way of daily posting doesn’t work. I like the way of keeping all of a single trip in one overall post, but new posts should go at the top rather than the end. Just doesn’t make sense to scroll all the way to the bottom for the recent post. So, as of today new posts will go at the top where they belong. I will have to rearrange the first 19 after I get home. So, with that out of the way...

Needing an early start, we were up a 5:45, having coffee and toast at 6:40 and driving off at precisely 7:00. Sad to keep leaving friends. First Jeff and Anita, then Steve and Sally and now Neal and Phyllis. But we will see them all again someday.

No Starbucks today.

I have mentioned several times in the past that Highway 20 across Central and Eastern Oregon offers little in the way of scenic beauty. Today was no exception. I often tell Barb that everything has its own beauty, but Central Oregon continues to challenge that statement.

Along the way on Highway 20 we passed through town of Brothers, which has the only one room school in Oregon. Apparently driving 52 miles one way to the nearest school forced its reopening. Stinking Water Pass and nearby Drinkwater Pass are reminders that not all water is suitable for consumption. After gas in Hines and lunch in Ontario we entered Idaho and the land of the 80 MPH speed limit. 80 seems really fast to me, so I started with the cruise set at 75 and worked my way up to 80.

Top crop award today went to corn. Not sure if was field or sweet, but it was everywhere in Eastern Oregon and Idaho. I’m guessing onions took Silver, with Bronze going to all those I couldn’t identify.

Dinner was chicken fajitas and we spied a Chick-Fil-A, which has absolutely the best biscuits ever, for breakfast tomorrow.

457 miles today is 7 more than my limit, so we will do 472 tomorrow on our way for an overnight in Cedar City, Utah.

So far, we have managed 3203.0 accident free miles. Looking for just 916 more.

Day 19 - One more day in Redmond, Oregon

Going to start today by saying hello to Steve and Sally up in Port Ludlow. It was a great three days with you guys and yes, we would love to come back for a few days and make more brownies, but it’s time to go home.

Up about the same time to the same great Central Oregon day. Started the day with coffee and then added a cinnamon roll from the Eagle Bakery in Madras. Just about the best cinnamon roll around.

Finished up the packing and loading the car, except for what’s needed tomorrow morning. We are looking at three 8+ hour days to get home, so trying to get stuff done for a 7:00 am departure. The drive be a little longer than usual, because I’m tired of the Las Vegas, Kingman, Wickenburg route. We have done that drive too often and it is boring.

Lunch was at Aspen Lakes Golf Course. We split what had to be in the top five all-time great turkey sandwiches. Turkey, cranberry sauce, lettuce, tomato and bacon. Yes Steve, bacon. Anyone passing through the area would benefit from such a sandwich and I highly recommend the Sinistor Black Ale to go with it.

A lazy afternoon of naps and searching the internet for the elusive wine barrel top to make into a lazy Susan will consume all. Later a dinner at Diego’s will cap our culinary adventures for this trip. It will also lead us to making diet notes during the next three days of driving.

Tomorrow we are off to an overnight in Twin Falls, Idaho.

2748.3 miles so far

Day 18 - Around Redmond, Oregon

Around Redmond

Up again to another great Central Oregon day. Sunny, mid to high 80’s and staying with very good friends.

After coffee it was off to Juniper Golf Course for breakfast out on the patio. Always interesting to watch golfers thrashing around in the weeds on the final hole.

After breakfast Barb and I took off to do a little shopping and business at the bank. Commercial kitchen supply place in Bend is the only place Barb and find the kitchen gloves she likes and I picked up another Ace bandage.

Rest of the day was just kinda lazy. Mostly sitting and talking, with very little doing. The evening was spent with four couples for the old neighborhood. Good to catch up with friends.

Tomorrow will be our last day in Redmond and then it’s back to Arizona. I’ve been watching the weather and it looked like it would be under 100 when we got back, but now the forecast is 107 for the day we arrive. Not really looking forward to getting back to those temps.

2748.3 miles so far.

Day 17 - Around Redmond, Oregon

Realized this morning that the clock on the nightstand was an hour behind. So, yesterday when I got up at 6:00 it was really 7:00. No wonder everyone was up having coffee.

Breakfast was at Original Pancake House, which is just about our favorite anywhere in the world. Later Neal drove us around Redmond to see all the changes. So much new housing. Makes me wonder where all these new people came from and what they are doing here in Central Oregon.

Checked out our old house in Eagle Crest. Looks about the same as does the rest of the resort. Speed Humps have been renamed Speed Tables, which I think is a good idea. I never really understood how they came up with Speed Hump.

Dinner was at Moose Sisters in Bend. Excellent meat loaf, something both Neal and I love.

We were surprised to see the amount of hemp being grown along Cline Falls Highway. One field after another. Can’t help but wonder where it’s all going.

Well, that’s it. Seems like a short day, but it was a great day with friends. Tomorrow another day around Redmond.

2712.6 miles so far

Day 16 - Walla Walla, WA to Redmond, OR

Early to bed, early to rise. We found that to be true. Tired last night we were off to bed by 8:00, which means we woke up about 5:00 ready to go. Not wanting to get to Redmond too early our plan was to leave about 9:00. We were about two and a half hours early. Not to worry, just drive slowly.

Starbucks appeared 62 miles down the road in Umatilla and was much welcomed after a motel breakfast of what was called an omelet.

The first half of the drive on Interstate 84 was along the scenic Columbia River. Passed the McNary and John Day dams and what must be a thousand plus wind turbines. Stopped for gas in Biggs and turn South on Highway 97.

Once on 97 the scenery turned to wheat. Lots of wheat and a few small towns. Not quite as scenic as along the river, but still a nice drive.

Redmond had changed little since our visit a year ago. Other than a new coffee cart or two it was pretty much as we had left it. Dinner was with friends Neal and Phyllis at an Italian place that during our time in Redmond had changed hands many times. The Italian version was excellent.

We have three more nights here before heading home, so lots of time to see old friends in the neighborhood.

2712.6 miles so far