A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-30-05....How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Billie, Diver Dave | Diver Dave

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' Billie. Travelin' man here. Will attempt to make a post before trying to fix this 'puter.

Thanks for re-posting "The Trip." 'Twas a great time for me then as well as now as I re-read of our most excellent adventure.

Fast-forward to this past long weekend. We drove up to Central Oregon to attend my b-i-l's wedding. The wedding was held in LaPine State Park under the canopy of pine trees, along the banks of the Little Deschutes River.

The wedding ceremony took place shortly after 2 pm. While relaxing and enjoying the company of friends, relatives and new relatives, a Park Ranger approached and told us we had to leave. No, we weren't that rowdy and unruly. Moments before the ranger's arrival, I detected the aroma of smoke. There were no campfires burning in our area.

The Ranger's words had a sense of urgency - "You all have to leave NOW!!!" A forest fire was in it's infancy a couple miles away from our location.

Everyone got involved in packing up and moving out. Folding chairs, wedding gifts, left-over wedding cake and food from the picnic. We all climbed the short hill to the parking lot area and from that location, we could see the smoke rising and beginning to block out the sun.

As we drove out of the State Park, Forest Service Emergency vehicles, Sheriff and local fire trucks were coming in. We made our way back to the motel 10 - 15 miles away. We watched the skyline as the cloud of smoke increased in size.

As evening fell, seven of us in two cars drove up to Bend, OR (30 miles) for dinner at Red Robin. On our return trip to the motel in LaPine at around 9 pm, we passed by the park entrance access road. Bull-dozers were being brought in on flatbed trucks under escort of Oregon State Police. Off in the distance, we could see a red glow of the fire.

Back at the motel, local residents who were evacuated from their homes around the fire's location were trying to find shelter. The motel was full, so those 200+ residents were sheltered at the local school. We talked to some of those folks and the fire at that time was 50% contained.

On Sunday morning, there were no signs of the previous rising column of smoke as we packed up and headed home down US 97 to I-5. Beautiful blue skies afforded us a look at Mt. Shasta. First the north exposure followed by the west and south views as we progressed southward.

Given my age, and my consumption of coffee, we visited most of the rest stops along the way. Gasoline prices along the way averaged around $2.79 gal but peaked at $3.25 in a very small town near the California/Oregon border.

The 1000 mile trip will go down in the memory banks along with "The Trip."

Our next trip in two weeks to Spokane will be via Southwest Airlines. We've had enough driving to last the rest of the year.

[OESY]

Very well said. Almost with apologies, I offer

A perspective on the joys & beauties of life

[JustAmy]

Wonderful thread, Billie. Somehow, I missed this the first time. How did that happen? Thank you for the rerun.

Dave ... what wonderful memories you have. Though we never took a vacation as extensive as this, I lived every minute of it with you.

I remember going to Texas when I was about 5 to visit my grandparents. Then, I remember going to Texas again when my grandmother died. I will never forget my grandfather slaughtering a hog and my grandmother giving us "crackling" when she rendered the lard. Sure hope that is the correct terminology. :)

I regret not getting back to Texas until many, many years later. Thank you for stirring those memories.

Billie, Thank you again.

[DollyCali]

Dave, what would you have done to have had digital cameras & expertise to record that wonderful trip, a way back? I sent the link & note to my brother. He & I had a trip when I was 13 & he was about 6. I don't even recall a whole lot of that trip but he reminds me that I had him sit on the side ofthe car with all my skirts, dresses etc hung up & kept yelling at him not to touch or wrinkle them. Poor kid, prolly couldn't even look out the window.

Your pix & recollection of weekned trip are beautiful..thanks for sharing. What a glorious and beautiful country we live in.. can;t wait to see more of it.. even the BOOOOORING part where Ms. Billie lives!!!!

[Diver Dave]

Praying for the safety of your family members in East Jefferson Parish, as well as all those families effected by this storm. I too have family in the gulf coast areas of Alabama. Though they have not received the devastation which centered in LA. this time, they were hit hard last year.

[DollyCali]

I will try your link when at a "better" computer. I am using afriends. (his back up for his back up).. it froze up the computer twice opening it. Good equipment is elusive to me right now.

[DollyCali]

Prayer warriors alert.. just received this from church friend in OK.. I was just thinking that some of our fine men & women in national guard will be possibly rescuing this woman.. and many of these military warriors are our kids & grandkids; friends and relatives.. awesome.

@@@

This just came in. There are many others, like the lady in this request, who are in need of prayer and help due to Katrina's fury....

Kara Dixon's mother is trapped in water in her kitchen in Biloxi on top of her sink. She is in very poor health. Kara did reach the Red Cross this morning, and they are putting her mom on their priority rescue list. Her brother is also missing, but the Red Cross cannot search for him yet--they are doing the people in bad health first. Please ask the daily devotion group to lift this family and all of those in that devastated area up in prayer. Kara, of course, feels very helpless at this point, but is trusting God.

Corporate prayer is powerful.

[Brad’s Gramma]

I have family there also. Haven't heard from any of them. All circuits are busy.

If you are a praying person, pray.

Oh Texagirl4W, I'm sorry....SO sorry....I'm calling in the prayer warriors. JustAmy, THANKS for the ping..!!!

[Okies love Dubya 2]

My brother is stuck in N.O. too--he was fine yesterday, but things are not getting any better, so I am really worried. His name is Matt and any prayers would be appreciated.

[OESY]

The presentation is somewhat unique, but not very well-crafted or truly memorable, and it take a while to load (and to progress through the collage). I may have overclaimed, so don't knock yourself out looking for another computer.

[Pegita]

Heavenly Father, we return to thank You that we can knit our hearts in prayer for the safety and well being of Texagirl's family. Watch over them, O God, and keep them from all harm. Send Your angels to camp about all those who are caught in this disaster ... minister unto them with every provision needed ... encourage them unto the time of rescue ... strengthen each one against any semblance of disease. Open our hearts to the needs of our neighbors, that we might be used of You. In the Name of Jesus, we pray, Amen ...

[Brad’s Gramma]

Oh man....you have my prayers. There are SO MANY Freepers in the area, or have family...

Our hearts break for all of you!!!

Major big PRAYER bump for Matt!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Kitty Mittens]

I'm Writing Down these Prayer Needs, and am Going to Check Every Post Here to See if there are any other Prayer Requests.

Supplications Arising for Everyone Affected by this Awfulness. Thank You for Hearing the Cries of Your children, our God of Compassionate Love.

[OESY]

We wish you and your family well. You are in our prayers.

[Billie]

I was trying to respond to your post this morning when my pc locked up (it does that often in Firefox when I'm answering a FReepmail or a post, and I don't know why. There is nothing to do but reboot, and then I had a lunch date and just getting back)

It wasn't easy this morning to post an "upbeat" thread, or any other kind, as, like everyone else, my mind is focused on the hurricane destruction in Louisiana and Mississippi and worrying about those who are still to experience Katrina's wrath. I can only imagine how worried you and others must be to have to wait and pray for word from family in the area. My prayers are with you and my heart goes out to you.

[Billie]

...we made up games and songs as we went along and dealt with the Texas heat as best we could

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

[Mama_Bear]

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

LOL!!! I know exactly why. Because the 'Texas heat' went on for two and a half days (it seemed). Arizona was hot too, but it didn't take us days to get through it. ;-)

I don't know how many times my brother and I asked my mom, "what state are we in now?" The answer was always "the same state we were in the last five times you asked....TEXAS!". LOL.

[eyespysomething]

Texagirl-

I've been praying for 2 days now. I will continue praying, and will lift up the Texagirl family name, along with so many others.

[Diver Dave]

Geez! How come everyone keeps talking about *Texas* heat - ever been through Arizona?! :)

Thinking back to yesteryear, I remember how I managed to beat the heat while traveling across Arizona and Texas.

Keep in mind, no air-conditioned comforts, four kids crowded across the back seat of the car, windows wide open, I climbed up on the back window ledge and laid down feeling the full effects of the open windows. It also relieved the over-crowded conditions. Subsequently, Don and I alternated that window ledge position for much of the remaining trip.