I was so
tired last night!
Weary
lay-on-the-bed-to-tired-to-move tired. I even skipped the blog. I did save enough energy to take Mariah
swimming one last time. She finally saw another human being at the pool! And of course it was an elementary school
librarian (Mariah's favorite thing) who just happened to have grown up in Coeur
d'Alene.
 |
| Vista Point on Hwy 30 overlooking the Columbia Gorge |
I decided to wait until this morning to
pack. I
let Mariah sleep in a bit so I could get the sorting and packing done
without any interference. I finally woke
her up and was totally unprepared for
the complete meltdown that began before her eyes were even open all the
way. Not totally unexpected, but the
timing was just not....
Forty-five
minutes later all was back on track. Mariah went to turn the key in and I
overheard her having quite the conversation..inviting the desk gal to come and
visit us in Idaho...on our couch...
 |
| Hwy 30 |
We made good
time through Portland. I took the exit
that led to Historic Highway 30-the one that has all the waterfalls. It was a nice drive and I did get a few
shots of a couple of them. It was honestly a bit disappointing at a few of
them. They were very overcrowded and the
parking was so bad you could barely
navigate getting through the little lots.
On the
bright side, I loved the shots I got and the drive was still very pretty. I like
to take my time when I drive on roads like that so I regularly pulled over so
cars could pass me. It was a bit tricky
passing the bicyclists on the narrow roads, but it added an element of
excitement to the whole thing.
 |
| So gorgeous |
We arrived
in The Dalles mid-afternoon and grabbed some lunch. Went and got all checked in to our motel
without any fuss. Mariah was chomping at
the bit to go swimming but I made her a deal that I had to kill my headache
first.
Headache
down to a dull roar, I took her down to swim and for some odd reason I asked
the desk gal if there was anything I needed to know about the pool. Good /bad
thing (depending on your view) I asked. The pool is closed today-something
about the chlorine level being too low.
Mariah tried to sweet talk her way in, but alas, no success. To her
credit, she took it well.
We turned to
go back to the elevator and....
Behold:
VENDING MACHINES.
Got back to
the room and she begged for 'just one thing' from the machines. Knowing The
Midget as I do, I knew that 'one' was just the beginning of 'many' so I loaded
her up with $5 in change and send her on her way with only a request for a
drink for me.
 |
| Latourell Falls |
She got
Skittles, a Payday, FIVE rolls of
Lifesavers mints, a drink for me, and a pack of gum for the desk gal. (really).
Of course she forgot to get a drink for herself so we had to add to that. I can't believe the next words out of her
mouth.
"Mom,
I'm STARVING."
Um, hello,
offspring, you just downed a big meal and finished off my desert three hours
ago....
Okay I
figured I was in for the night and caved and ordered pizza. I think Mariah's highlights on this trip are
all food related. As in related to the
hotel rooms.
 |
For a list of the waterfalls on this drive go here.
The first
leg home is complete. Looking forward to
finally being home tomorrow afternoon. It's been a nice vacation overall and
part of me wishes we still had a few days left; the other part of me will be so
glad to be done. Yes, I'm a complicated
person-but aren't we all?
Until next
time,
Robyn
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