Our Road Trips

9/11/2014

Our minds are on New York City this morning. A year ago, we were there on this day, having just returned from Minnesota and the passing of Barb's dad. We didn't know yet how much stress that put on us both, so a day of remembrance for several reasons is on tap for today. We will never forget what happened on this day back in 2001, nor will we ever forget what we went through last summer, losing both of Barb's parents 94 days apart...RIP to them and all the victims of the 9-11 attacks.

Yesterday was another moving day. We had spent a total of 29 nights in Idaho and it is time to move on. Idaho is an amazing place, with its 3100 miles of rivers, 700 miles from NW to SE of amazing roads, seriously different landscapes around almost every corner, from 725 feet above sea level at Lewiston to 12662 at Mt Borah in East Central Idaho. You can find ice in caves under the desert when it is over 100 degrees outside and snow in the mountains on the same day 100 miles away...it is an amazing place to explore. We will never forget our 1st day there back in May, driving over Lolo Pass just west of Missoula, MT on US 12...from 5235 feet above sea level to 725 in 178 of the most amazing miles of 2 lane road you will drive on anywhere in the US, all the while riding along a rushing Lochsa River for the first 159 miles, all the while driving the motor home towing our car. What an amazing day that was!! So on Tuesday night, we went on one last little drive to a couple of places within 5 miles of our campground commemorating the Oregon Trail emigrants who passed through the area a very long time ago on their way from Missouri to Oregon or California in a wagon train...can't even imagine what that was like, but we can try. Those were some brave souls (or a little crazy), and hearty doesn't even begin to describe them, a proper adjective escapes me.

We have relocated to Deer Creek State Park, just SE of Salt Lake City, Utah. The ride here was another adventure through SE Idaho and NE Utah. Barb said last night, that was another amazing day of driving, 2 lane roads over mountains, through valleys, around lakes and down highways with 80 mph speed limits. Yep, it is interesting driving one of these things. We came over one hill and there was a blue 5 gallon bucket laying in the center of my lane in a 40 mph curve...whatever you do could be wrong. We hit the bucket and when it bounced out the back, there is the car to absorb whatever is left of it, so there are 2 new dents to deal with at some time...ah, the wonder of it all.

We have a gorgeous spot in the park, over looking a beautiful reservoir on Deer Creek. Currently, the park is mostly empty, but they say it will fill up for the weekend. We spent last night sitting outside watching the sun set on the reservoir and the 4-5 boats out there playing around...beautiful.

We are spending a total of 4 nights here and then moving south to see some of the National Parks we missed several years ago when we visited Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion, along with a visit to Las Vegas. We may just spend the evenings here watching the world go by too, along with a visit to some of what Salt Lake City has to offer...we haven't figured that all out yet.

Steve & Barb Larson