The Adventures Have Started

Wednesday 10/5/11 at 0835, Lacey, WA, we have finally got it all together and we are off the see this beautiful country of ours.  We headed south on I-5 towards Portland to the 205 and then east along I-84.  This is a great way to head east because you don't have to up over the Cascades.  On this trip we are heading for Ketchum Idaho to the Sun Valley Jazz Festival.  We are planning on being there early arriving on 10/8 so we can see the "Trailing of the Sheep" which is an annual event of the sheep running through town along with many other activities.   The Jazz Festival doesn't start until Wed or Thurs.  This will be our first time there.
Our first night was at a small little campground called Hillgard Junction State Park, exit 252 (still on I-84), just off the hwy about 10 miles west of La Grande.  This is primitive and only $5.00.  Very quiet right along the Grande Ronde River.  This was over 300 miles from home so we were tired when we got there and slept very good listening to the rain all night long.

The trip along the Columbia River, on the north side (hwy 14) or the south side (I-84 or Old Hwy 30 is excellent too) is spectacular and if any of you are in the area it is well worth the trip.  Below is a tug boat pushing four barges up the Columbia River. Picture taken about a month ago on the Washington side of river across from Hood River.

Sunrise on Columbia River, from the WA side across from Hood River. Behind the mountain is smoke from the wildfire in the Goldendale WA area.

I will eventually get better at adding the pictures, right now it's kind of a hit and miss/

Safe travels to all
Nancy