Day 6

Day 6: Beaverton, OR to Missoula, MT
Miles: 548
Gas Mileage: 36
Soundtrack: NPR, Spokane & Missoula radio stations, Heather's iPod


I woke up early, had one more large slice of birthday cake in my Wheaties, and headed east. It was a little strange to be going east to Montana. I was able to make it over the Washington border before I needed to get fuel, which was nice. It was a beautiful trip. I had never, at least not that I can remember, been to Spokane, WA before and I enjoyed what I saw of the place as I drove through. The drive on I-90 between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Missoula was really pretty. For a part of it you're following Coeur d'Alene Lake and it brought back memories of a Montana summer long ago.


It was an all day drive, and I lost an hour, but pulled into Missoula a little before six. I met my friend Heather and we talked for a while, before going out for dinner. We went to MacKenzie River Pizza, one of the best pizza places ever! It's only in Montana (and one restaurant in Coeur d'Alene now, I think) and it is so good. Heather has worked there about three years and still loves the food and had no problem going there for dinner, which has gotta be a good sign.

We got the Thai Pie and man, did I over indulge! It was cool to meet her co-workers and to talk and chat and get caught up on her adventures!

I didn't take a picture with Heather, so this one from summer 2009 when we tubed the Blackfoot, will have to suffice.

Day 5

Day 5: Kuna, ID to Beaverton, OR
Miles: 439
Gas Mileage: 34
Soundtrack: Linkin Park, lokalgrown, Lifehouse


I took advantage of the hour I would be gaining and slept in a bit Friday morning. I still hadn't folded my tent and put it away properly due to wind, snow/rain, wet conditions and told Raelynn it was something I needed to do. She said it was 20 degrees outside, but ok. It was beastly cold and my hands were numb by the time I got my tent rolled up, then I hadn't done it tight enough so I couldn't get it in the bag and decided it was better than it was before and called it good.


We took some pictures, and I was off for Portland (Oregon not Maine).

Raelynn's two kids.

The drive across Oregon was beautiful. For a good portion of it I was following the south side of the Columbia River, which was simply spectacular. Apparently, Oregon was having a rare sunny day, which made the drive all the more enjoyable.

Did you know it is illegal to pump your own fuel in Oregon? My dear, sweet, wonderful car, my baby who I spoil, has a very delicate medical condition affecting her gas intake. I have patiently dealt with her illness for a year and a half now, and know how to get her to drink. How, may I ask, do you tell the attendant pumping my gas he must speak encouraging words to my car, telling her she can do it? It was a very emotional stop for both of us. I realized I had applied for several jobs in Oregon and don't think I could take any of them, should they be offered, until I save enough to get the issue cleared up, which, of course, is ridiculously costly. I shouldn't be telling you this, it's a big embarrassment to my car and she's very sensitive about it. Please don't tell her I posted it on-line for the world to see.

I made it to Portland for drive-home traffic on a Friday night. I found my old roommate Melinda's house after only two wrong turns. She lives in a beautiful neighborhood on a hill. We hadn't seen each other since graduation from USU and had a lovely time getting caught up. Melinda was incredibly sweet and made me a birthday cake to celebrate, though a bit early.

I am not one to tell people when my birthday is, or to remind them it's coming, but I had told another friend the one thing I wanted for my birthday this year was to blow out candles. I couldn't remember the last time I'd done that and there was Melinda, putting candles on the cake, without knowing my wish. Isn't she fabulous?!?! And the cake was delicious.

Melinda and I stayed up much too late talking but we had five and a half years of catching up to do!

Day 4

Day 4: Provo, UT to Kuna, ID

Miles: 447

Gas Mileage: 37

Soundtrack: mixed cds

My brother made chicken strips for breakfast, then I dropped him off on campus. We both mentioned how we felt like the married couples, except we weren't going to kiss each other before he got out of the car.

I headed north and stopped to see one of my old roommates, Melissa. I got to meet her very cute, very healthy looking baby girl. So fun! Her stair obliged to hold my camera so we could get a picture.

Then I headed northeast, to a tiny town in a canyon in Utah to see my friend Kristen, who I hadn't seen since Melissa's wedding reception, four and a half years ago. She's way out there, but in a beautiful location and a home that has a cool history and a lot of character. I was able to meet her children too, who were adorable.

I chatted, looked at pictures, and I played Candyland with her two oldest. It was quite fun. Have you played that game lately? So simple yet so entertaining! Here are Kristen's three.

As I was leaving, there was a cattle drive, right down the middle of the street. I had to snap a picture. How awesome! The big tower in the background is a cement plant. Ever wonder where those big cement trucks that turn get their cement? I'll admit, it was something I had pondered on occasion. Now I know.

My next stop was Kuna, ID, a little town just south of Boise. I got to my old roommate Raelynn's house just in time for bath time and got to join in for a story, scripture, and prayer with her cute kids. Raelynn and I stayed up talking and it was so good to see here and get caught up. Melissa's reception was the last time I had seen her as well.

Day 3

Day 3: Broomfield, CO to Provo, UT
Miles: 484
Gas Mileage: 38
Soundtrack: Jem, Collective Soul


I left from the Brand's home and headed west. Since it had snowed, I-70 through Vail was a bit treacherous, but I made it safely to Provo. My car was quite dirty, due to the road being sanded, a point my brother was quick to make. Adam and I visited, then along with one of his roommates went to dinner at a fabulous Thai place. Our server knew one of my friends back in College Station; small world in the church.


I was able to meet a sister of a friend and that was exciting. My dear brother let me sleep in his bed and he slept on the couch. I forgot to get a picture with him, so the picture below is a bit older, but, he's still my brother and a pretty cool dude!

Day 2

Day 2: Fritch, TX to Broomfield, CO
Total Miles: 483
Gas Mileage: 35
Soundtrack: 42nd Street, Newsies, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Moulin Rogue

I woke up after an interesting night in my car and stopped into the visitor center at Lake Meredith. It has potential, I'll keep you posted. It was still much too windy to try and roll up my tent, so I headed out.

As soon as I hit the New Mexico border, I had road construction until I hit Colorado. That is the only reason I was able to take a picture of the sign, I was going slow.

I had good weather until just north of Colorado Springs when I hit snow. Not a light dusting, but a pretty heavy, almost white-out condition, snow. Not going to lie, but it was scary. I was able to make it safely to my friend's home, only to find a moving van outside the house and someone else moving in that night. What?

I called and found she'd moved (back in February, what a bad friend I am, eh?) and was able to find her new place and spent a lovely evening with her and her husband. Stephanie and I have been friends since middle school and it was good to see her and get caught up.

Road Trip Day 1

Day 1: Houston to Fritch, TX

Total Miles: 622

Gas Mileage: 37

Soundtrack: 94.5 the buzz, 102.1 the edge, Ashley MacIsaac, Jamie Cullum, Bond

I decided on Thursday, November 4, I was going to take a road trip and left the following Monday. My first leg of the journey took me from Houston to Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Fritch, TX. My intent in stopping there was to look into volunteer opportunities for the winter, and possibly a job for next summer. Plus, it's free to camp there.

I arrived in plenty of time to pitch my tent while it was still light. It was quite the task due to incredibly strong wind and not a whole lot of protection from it. I got everything in and situated, had dinner, read my book, got ready for bed, read some more, got out of the tent on multiple occassions to adjust the stakes, and finally attempted to fall asleep. It was so windy, I was afraid my rain fly would be lost and I'd wake up in the morning in the lake.

By 9:30pm, the wind was so strong, the whole side of my dome tent was caving in on me and I was in danger of being suffocated by my tent. I gave up and opted for the back seat of my car. It was very exciting attempting to take down a tent which was fully determined to be a kite.