A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-22-06....Lin & Dave's Excellent Adventure ~ Part One

Billie; Diver Dave | August 22, 2006 | Diver Dave

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

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We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, JustAmy ~

Ahhh, Summertime. Time for camping, trips to the lakes or ocean beaches, AKA VACATION! Time to load up that evil SUV and hit the highways. Never mind the rising cost of fuel. It’s vacation time.

And what every vacation needs is careful planning – destination, road maps, points of interest, a well-tuned automobile and in our case, visits with family in our hometown. We sat down months ago and budgeted and planned our trip on Tripmaker. Four different routes were selected and the final decision on which route to take occurred as we headed down the highway. Our well-tuned vehicle just happened to be a brand new Rendezvous that was in need of a road-trip – and what a road trip it was. Two thousand plus miles, traversing California, Oregon and Washington. Come on along for the ride – there’s plenty of room.

Over the last twenty years, we’ve often traveled north to Spokane using the shortest and quickest route. North on US 99 to Sacramento, connect with I-5. In the small town of Weed, CA, we take the US 97 highway north through Central Oregon, Klamath Falls, Bend, Madras OR to the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington. I-84 takes us east to the cut-off for US 395 north through Umatilla, OR, Kennewick/Pasco, WA to Ritzville, WA. Our last connecting highway, I-90, delivers us to our families in Spokane.

Originally planned, our trip was to begin on Friday morning stopping over-night in Bend, OR. However, son-in-law Rich #2 (we have two sons-in-law named Rich) entered a Tough-Truck competition at the county fair driving his Chevy S-10. The competition was held Friday evening so we purchased our tickets and spent the evening at the fair. Rich managed to finish the course without any difficulty like a lot of the other drivers, but not fast enough to claim the prize.

We boarded Jack and Bailey at the kennel earlier in the day, and after the competition at the fair, a quick stop at home to load the luggage etc., we hit the road at 10:30 p.m. After the plans were changed due to the fair, my intent was to drive all night, straight through to Spokane. My, how plans change when one’s eyelids become heavy. We pulled off at a rest stop up near Willows, CA and take a short nap at 2:30 a.m. – short turns into a 3 hour nap. Semi-wide awake, the old body requires a large cup of coffee from the closest vendor – in this case, McDonald’s. Sipping the coffee while cruising along around 70 mph, we notice the sun is about to rise over the Sierras. Mrs d snaps a pic of the sunrise from the window as we near Red Bluff, CA. What a beautiful sight! - Made me think of all the sunrise graphics LadyX posted over the years here on FR’s Finest.

Topping off the fuel tank in Redding, CA, we proceed north to Weed and the 97 cut-off. Smoke and haze from area forest fires prevent a good view of Mt. Shasta, but a rock formation to the west of the highway called "The Crags" provides an interesting view. A few miles north of Weed, we make a pit stop at another rest area. Mrs d retrieved a bag of Quacker Rice Snacks from the back of the car. Now I don’t know what it is, but every seagull in the area gathered at her feet at the sound of the rustling cellophane bag. I think she managed to feed each one at least twice.

Traveling north on 97, we cross the California/Oregon border, and it’s a short drive to Klamath Falls, OR along the shores of Klamath Lake. There are marshes along the highway both at the south end of the city as well as the north. It appears to be the perfect breeding habitat for a gazillion gnats – half of which ended up on our windshield and front bumper/grill. Klamath Falls is btw where the local farm folks took on the Feds a few years ago protesting the curtailment of irrigation water for the farmers. A symbolic bucket brigade was formed. This bucket rests in front of City Hall in Klamath Falls.

Continuing our drive north, we pass the turn-off to Crater Lake. We stopped there a couple of years ago and it provides a very impressive view of another of God’s creations. There is a stretch of highway 97 that goes for at least 20 miles with nary a bend or turn in the road. The first time I drove that highway at night many years ago, I saw headlights approaching so I dimmed my lights. Five minutes later and we still have not passed each other. This route also take us through the high desert area of Oregon. Not a whole lot to write home about imho, but some folks call it home.

We finally drop down the steep hill to Biggs Junction, OR along the banks of the beautiful Columbia River, and our turn off to I-84 E. Across the massive river is the Evergreen State, but we have over 100 miles to travel before crossing the river and setting foot at "home". The scenic Columbia Gorge provides many sites to behold. The rock cliffs on either side of the river eventually turn to farm land. The river’s wide expanse and the brisk winds have brought the wind surfers out in droves gliding across the water. A few miles east and we approach John Day Dam, one of many dams on the Columbia River, providing the Northwest with electricity. Barges traverse the Columbia loaded with grain for foreign markets. Each dam has a lock system allowing the barges to pass through the two different water elevations. Fish ladders are also present for the salmon and steelhead runs. The first picture shows John Day Dam during daylight hours and the second photo was taken on our return trip at around 9 p.m. Both are taken from the Oregon side of the river.

Crossing the Columbia River at near Umatilla, OR, we spot McNary Dam off to the right. We have about 30 miles to go to reach Kennewick, WA. As we approach Kennewick, I notice some aircraft flying across the sky – east to west. Don’t know what it is just yet, but a few minutes later it passes by again at high speed. Too far away to capture it on the camera, I wait for another fly-by at a closer distance. Once more it passes, this time from west to east, no wait, there’s two of ‘em. This turns out to be their final pass and they head north climbing in altitude. Once we arrive in Kennewick, we again cross the Columbia River. Off to the west on the river’s surface I see the unmistakeable image of "rooster-tails" from Unlimited Hydroplane boats. It is then I realize that this is race weekend in the Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick and Richland). For those unfamiliar with "Thunder-boat" racing, these boats travel in excess of 150 mph on the straightaways. It is not uncommon for them to become airborne or flip when hitting choppy water. I snapped a pic of them as we crossed the bridge and the rooster-tails are barely visible. As it turns out, those aircraft I saw were from the US Air Force Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds had a "show" at Fairchild Air Force Base in/near Spokane and two of the planes came down to the Tri-Cities to make a few passes above the river and crowds lining the race course.

Cell phone activity increases as we drive the final 150 miles to Spokane. Mrs.d’s dad, brother and sis are calling – "where are you, now?" Plans are made to all meet at Red Robin for dinner. Ten miles from Spokane and the red "low fuel" light comes on. Guess we pushed it a little bit too close. Fuel stop at the top of the hill near the city limits and we’re good for final approach. Side note: The cashier at this Shell station had the look of Veteran so I inquired if he was indeed a vet. Sure enough - USAF career vet. I thanked him for his service to our country and then he told me the owner of the station is an active duty AF Colonel who at that moment was enroute to Iraqi Freedom Operations. Made me feel good knowing that the station’s profits were going to such a deserving individual. Enjoyed the trip so far? I can assure you it didn’t take you as long to get here as it did me and Mrs d. More to come with adventures at "home" and the return trip with a stop at Bandon, Oregon to visit a well-known FReeper. Unfasten your seatbelts and choose an item from the Red Robin menu.

To be continued tomorrow....... hope to see you!

07-01-06 ~ Hall of Fame #16

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-21-06 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[Billie]

Thanks, Rus. Sweet reading about the *special* laundering. :)

[Billie]

What an Excellent adventure!

Yep! T'was! :) He always makes driving fun. :)

[Billie]

Sounds like a great trip, have fun, looking forward to the next installment. California is beautiful!

Thanks, stopem, and that coffee "smells" delish!

[Billie]

Good Morning Billie, Your thread came out beautiful!

Hi, GeeBee, am glad you think so!

Diver, you had a wonderful vacation. Reading and seeing pictures makes me want to plan a vacation. :)

I've never been to so many of these great United States, and always enjoy seeing things through the eyes of those who've been there. :)

[Billie]

Good Morning Billie and Dave. 

Great presentation Billie. 

Dave I enjoyed your trip to Spokane and I am looking forward to the second part. 

Hi, Noosie - thank you - am glad you're enjoying the trip and anxious to bring you all the second installment tomorrow. :)

[Billie]

Wow!!!!!! Dave, THOROUGHLY enjoyed part one of the vacation (too bad couldn't take pooches.. boarding = bummer). I am looking forward to tonight when I can read again & more fully digest (with a map) all of your commentary & map pinpoints What great pix & what a great writer you are.. and SOOOOOO very lucky to have Ms. Billie with her NORMAL outstanding presentation.

Billie love the vignetting of pix, the colors etc.. Now, of course I have a curiosity about the butterflies (wish I had that side border when I did my butterfly thread). See you both later!

Dolly, you make my head swell! LOL. Thank you for picking up on the little details. :)

You know, I've had that butterfly background for the longest time and had never used it. If I'd known about your butterfly thread before you did it, would have been happy to give to you at the time! :)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

I am looking forward to it.

[DollyCali]

quick check in before I go for 4 doggie walk with John..

I know you would have shared the side border.. You are super generous with EVERYONE with your graphics. That is so very sweet & giving of you.

I still cant use them(side borders). Not sure you recall my Halloween thread that I had to change it .. had a great border but did not have the right HTML to present it. it was too garbly on the thread so I changed the link to NON side border for the table.. a few people noticed it had changed

I have been on a plateau of sorts the past 9 months or so with HTML.. use often & reinforce the things I know. This fall will try some new things perhaps - including the side border "formula".. weather gets nasty & I am not out & about or in yard as much..

[Kitty Mittens]

I've Been Reading your Excellent Adventure as I Do my Housework, and what a Wonderful Journey it has Been! I can Only Imagine the Great Time you had, as you Beheld our Lord's Glorious Creations. Your Sunset Pic is Lovely, and our Dearest Maggie would have Loved it, as you Said.

Thank you, Dear (((((Billie))))), for your Excellent Presentation, and Thank you, (((((Diver Dave))))), for Sharing with us these Wonders of the King!

[Billie]

yea, we do look good, don't we? hahahaha.. I had that pix in my files to use "sometime" in future.. Billie had a great adaptation here..

I was pretty sure you had the picture, too, Dolly, so you know a few changes had to be made to make it work for us. :) Might not have made quite so many changes if I hadn't wanted to "line us up by names" as we are listed in topper, prayer list, etc.

[Billie]

Great adventure, Dave! Thanks for letting us come along! Thanks,Billie, for helping him to get packed! :D

LOL! Cute, Luv - actually, he should be glad it wasn't me packing for them - I always take too many clothes 'n stuff. You know, just in case I might need a warm sweater in 100 degree weather, or a pair of sandals in case it gets above freezing or something.

[Billie]

Thanks again, Billie for all the artwork and presentation.

Well, I *guess* you're welcome - you know how much I hate doing things like this. :)

Gonna check out for a while... another dr appt shortly.

Hurry back! :)

[Billie]

Hi billie and dave. Quick in at out during break time. Love reading about your adventure dave...great pictures and, as always, lovely presentation billie!!!!! BBL for a more "indepth" review :o)

Hi, Sistah! Thank 'ya much! And glad you are home - missed you last week.

[Billie]

I know you would have shared the side border.. You are super generous with EVERYONE with your graphics. That is so very sweet & giving of you. I still cant use them(side borders). Not sure you recall my Halloween thread that I had to change it .. had a great border but did not have the right HTML to present it. it was too garbly on the thread so I changed the link to NON side border for the table.. a few people noticed it had changed I have been on a plateau of sorts the past 9 months or so with HTML.. use often & reinforce the things I know. This fall will try some new things perhaps - including the side border "formula".. weather gets nasty & I am not out & about or in yard as much..

Dolly, the thing with the side border is that the LAST table you do has to be aligned right either by the percentage of the solid/textured bg or by actual width of that solid/texture bg. Plus, of course the whole thing with the side border and all has to fit inside the last centered table width, i.e. this one today looks like this:

<center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/Blackgradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=2>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/silvergradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/Blackgradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/brownplaidbg.jpg" cellpadding=40 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/Blackgradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/silvergradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/Blackgradientbg.jpg" cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 border=0>
<tr><td><center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/ButterflySolidbg.jpg" width=645>
<tr><td>



Pictures and stuff here - then the side bordered background, width specified NOT AS WIDE AS THE MAIN TABLE IT SITS INSIDE
<center>
<table background="http://d21c.com/billie/backgrounds/ButterflyBG.jpg" width=610 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=1>
<tr><td>
<table align=right width=480>
<tr><td>

My text and pics here all had to be a width of 480 or less to fit inside the solid/textured part.

Remember to turn OFF the two tables of this side-bordered set before you turn off the main group of tables.

[Billie]

I've Been Reading your Excellent Adventure as I Do my Housework, and what a Wonderful Journey it has Been! I can Only Imagine the Great Time you had, as you Beheld our Lord's Glorious Creations. Your Sunset Pic is Lovely, and our Dearest Maggie would have Loved it, as you Said.

Thank you, Dear (((((Billie))))), for your Excellent Presentation, and Thank you, (((((Diver Dave))))), for Sharing with us these Wonders of the King!

Thank you, Miss Kitty. I'm glad you are enjoying the adventure. Tomorrow we visit more of Washington, and Oregon and meet 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub for the first time. :)

[Majie Purple]

I love to travel & sightsee!

Have been to 38 States & Canada & Mexico thus far... More to come.

Thanks for sharing all about your & your wifey's trip Diver / Driver D!

& for the great presentation of said trip Billie! Lookin' forward to tomorrow's continuation...

will miss WFW but this reason makes the missing understandable and more bearable.

;OD

[Diver Dave]

BBL for a more "indepth" review :o)

Oh oh. I knew I should have proof-read thiss :)

Welcome back.

[Diver Dave]

I can Only Imagine the Great Time you had, as you Beheld our Lord's Glorious Creations.

Mrs d thinks I should keep my eye on the road instead of checking out the scenery. The passenger seat does have a better view, but the other driver doesn't pull over as often as I do. :)

We did indeed behold many beautiful sites by our Creator. Probably a week's supply of photo ops and narration for FR's Finest.

[Diver Dave]

Hurry Back! :)

Okay. I have returned

[Majie Purple]

Wonderful "special loads" post!