April 13 & 14

April 13 & 14 – Grants Pass, OR to Sutherlin, OR, to The Dalles, OR, to Seattle, WA
I got on my iPad early and located our friends Frank & Connie, so we stopped at their Circle Star Ranch in Sutherlin, OR. The coffee pot was on, the horse was awake and ready to eat, and Frank and Connie’s combined talents were remodeling the house beautifully.
After an all too quick visit, we went on through sheep country, vineyards and farms to Portland where we turned into the Columbia River Gorge. It was pouring rain, but we took part of the scenic highway and stopped at Multnomah Falls. There are many waterfalls along the Gorge, and this is the highest. We decided to get an espresso at the outside kiosk, and suddenly it began to hail and the wind rushed in. Les and I grabbed onto the poles of the “easy-up” tent and tried to hold it down. I thought we might fly! Les’ market experience got the tent down, and our coffees were on the house. There was at least an inch of hail on the ground.
Cousins Bill and Vickie welcomed us to their hillside home in The Dalles. Such gracious hosts they are, and we were soon engaged in good conversation. We enjoyed dinner at the Hiway House. Les ordered wild king salmon from Alaska on a Caesar salad.
We watched the Columbia River from Bill and Vickie’s home. A tugboat pushing barges moved up the river, and we saw it disappear into the locks at The Dalles bridge. Vickie took us to the Discovery Center where we sampled the history and geology of the area. Then we headed north with promises to meet again soon.
I think we are snow magnets. As we climbed up Snoqualmie Pass, it began snowing heavy flakes. We met Jesse at the top, and we all began the descent into Seattle rush hour traffic. With a sigh of relief, we reached Jesse and Christina’s house in Ballard.