October 8 2008 – Wednesday
Spokane, WA to Redmond, OR
This morning, everyone got up early and met at Don & Barb’s for photo-taking. Unfortunately, Chad got there just a couple of minutes too late and Don had to leave for work. We managed, however, to take some fun photos of the whole bunch of us without Don but including my cousin Joe who flew in the previous night at about 11pm. Joe has been training in the army and will soon be going over seas. It was great to have the opportunity to see him even though it was for a very short time. 
After taking some photos (which I still need to get from someone!), the kids left for breakfast together. I like local places when I’m in new towns, so they took me to a place called Hogans. The décor of Hogans was absolutely fabulous; I thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and the company of my cousins one last time before I took off.
After taking some photos (which I still need to get from someone!), the kids left for breakfast together. I like local places when I’m in new towns, so they took me to a place called Hogans. The décor of Hogans was absolutely fabulous; I thoroughly enjoyed the food, atmosphere and the company of my cousins one last time before I took off.Finally, I was on my way again driving to Oregon. My brother was flying in the same evening so I wanted to get there as well. It was a decent drive, but it seemed to take forever somehow! I’ve come to decide that I believe I really care more for the coastal, lush side of Oregon than I do the other part of the state. It’s gorgeous everywhere of course, but a lot of the east & central parts are 
actually high desert; very dry and not very much color. On the drive to Redmond, a large part of the trip (it seemed, at least) was going through the Columbia River Gorge which was really quite interesting. If you’re into wind surfing or kite surfing, I guess that’s the place to be; there were tons of people out on the water. The wind in the gorge never lets up, supposedly, and it’s intense. Even though I only watched from a distance, it was incredible seeing the people fly through the air, a number of feet above the water, zipping from side to side they had to be going at least 30 mph. I bet in cases it’s even faster, maybe I should look it up. I’m not very good at judging things like that myself.
actually high desert; very dry and not very much color. On the drive to Redmond, a large part of the trip (it seemed, at least) was going through the Columbia River Gorge which was really quite interesting. If you’re into wind surfing or kite surfing, I guess that’s the place to be; there were tons of people out on the water. The wind in the gorge never lets up, supposedly, and it’s intense. Even though I only watched from a distance, it was incredible seeing the people fly through the air, a number of feet above the water, zipping from side to side they had to be going at least 30 mph. I bet in cases it’s even faster, maybe I should look it up. I’m not very good at judging things like that myself.
Other interesting places along the drive down were somewhat unremarkable but quite entertaining to me. At one point, I saw one of most frightening looking runaway truck ramps I’ve ever seen. Driving up to it, it really looked like a truck driver who had to use it would run straight into the mountain, not go up the hill. Crazy, I wouldn’t want to have to use that. Another place seemed to be in the middle of nowhere alongside the road. Of course I had to stop to find out what it was all about. It turned out, it was a mountain identifier and it pointed to all the mountains in the area, explaining which each one was. I quite enjoyed that! Just before arriving in Redmond, I stopped at the Crooked River area where there were a 
couple of great bridges and a gorgeous 300 ft. gorge with a river at the bottom. Those walls went straight down; anyone afraid of heights should beware. Apparently, dogs should as well; according to the signs in the area, many die there. I spent a bit of time there, stretching my legs and taking photos before calling my Uncle Lyle to let him know I was close to the ranch.
couple of great bridges and a gorgeous 300 ft. gorge with a river at the bottom. Those walls went straight down; anyone afraid of heights should beware. Apparently, dogs should as well; according to the signs in the area, many die there. I spent a bit of time there, stretching my legs and taking photos before calling my Uncle Lyle to let him know I was close to the ranch. 
After about 8 hours in the car, I was ready to enter Redmond; my Uncle Lyle and Papa drove to meet me; when I passed them on the road, they pulled out and had me follow them back to the ranch; there’s no way I would have found it without them, even with my GPS. Many roads in the area are under construction right now, being moved, changed and created. I was road weary when I pulled in and didn’t fully absorb what I was driving into, but gradually the weariness wore off and I noticed more and more what an incredible place they have. Their ranch house is beautiful with a waterfall/pond area right outside one of the floor to ceiling windowed walls, mountain tops and ranch area outside another. 
We weren’t sleeping in the ranch house, however; we were staying in the guest house in the barn. The guest house is a two story lofted 3 bedroom, kitchen & bath apartment/house that’s gorgeous. The view of the mountain tops from here is even better, in my opinion, than from the house. My Uncle Lyle & Aunt Patty love having people here to use it, too. I grabbed the second bedroom upstairs down the hallway from my parents who decided they’re staying for a little while longer, and my brother will have the downstairs bedroom off the kitchen.
We weren’t sleeping in the ranch house, however; we were staying in the guest house in the barn. The guest house is a two story lofted 3 bedroom, kitchen & bath apartment/house that’s gorgeous. The view of the mountain tops from here is even better, in my opinion, than from the house. My Uncle Lyle & Aunt Patty love having people here to use it, too. I grabbed the second bedroom upstairs down the hallway from my parents who decided they’re staying for a little while longer, and my brother will have the downstairs bedroom off the kitchen.
When I walk outside, I am greeted by Llamas, Alpacas, a horse, something like 10 mini horses, doves, chickens, dogs, cats, chickens & new baby kittens… There's a bird in the house named Kiwi. I’ll have to find out if there’s another name for the mini horses. It’s quite enjoyable exploring the ranch and seeing what they have here. The view alone is incredible and I don’t get tired of seeing the mountains in the distance.
Anyway, it was an exhausting day and I couldn’t stay awake to pick up Heath from the airport, I was just too tired so I called it a night. My time here will be pleasurable, of that I’m sure!
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