ANTICIPATION… The drive from Portland to McMinnville was filled with old memories…and new sights. We knew there would be LOTS of changes since our last visit. And I knew the area is now home to many wineries…including some that produce Internationally acclaimed award-winning Pinot Noir. But it was mind-boggling to see the number of […]
Road Trip Planned – McMinnville, Oregon
It’s been nearly 44 years since Hubby and I arrived in McMinnville, Oregon as newlyweds…and we’ve gone back only once….and that was in the 1980’s. So let me set the stage for how this “homecoming” to McMinnville came about. This whole trip “Out West” started over beers…in Fort Lauderdale! Last winter, we were sitting at […]
Helvetia Tavern – Hillsboro, Oregon
We got an early start on our only full day in Portland. Our nephew Matt works for Nike, and he arranged a special stop in the Employee store for us…so off we went! The Nike “Campus” is HUGE…and hubby’s bro Steve drove us through part of it so we could get a feel for how […]
Multnomah Falls – Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
On our recent Pacific Northwest road trip, we headed toward Portland… The scenery began to change as we approached the Columbia River Gorge… And then we were there…a place we’d been waiting to see again. It requires a short hike…to Multnomah Falls. It’s a much […]
Council Mountain Cafe – Council, Idaho
One of the first lessons children are taught is not to speak to strangers…but you’ll miss out on some great information if you pass up the opportunity to talk to the “locals” in Mom and Pop restaurants. That’s why I couldn’t resist striking up a conversation with THIS fellow… I […]
The Hotel McCall – McCall, Idaho
In McCall, we made a stop at my cousin’s adorable flower shop called Flora… Long Lost Cousin Heather…It’s her daughter’s flower shop. (Heather was my childhood horseback-riding partner in crime!) We would be meeting the shop’s owner, Fallon, later at dinner, and we were anxious to tell her […]
The Not-So-Secret Garden – McCall, Idaho
It must be something in the water. That’s the only thing I can think of. Otherwise, how do you explain the appearance and the vitality of my 86 year old cousin “Strick” and his 85 year old wife Barbara. It is truly amazing…REALLY… “Strick” studied in New York City. He was a photographer, and a videographer […]
The Brundage Inn – McCall, Idaho
First impressions of McCall? What a BEAUTIFUL, UNSPOILED, CLEAN town! And our rustic hotel was more of the same. The Brundage Inn was a perfect spot to unpack, unwind and begin to enjoy the beauty of McCall. A Flower-Filled Welcome… Ahhhh……. Rustic Charm… The View Out Our Window… Our Rustic, […]
Evanston, Wyoming
After leaving Denver, we continued our trek West. And our first stop was at the Welcome Center in Wyoming, where we got quite a welcome! After we talked our way out of this predicament, we got back on the road as fast as possible. But all I can say is…It’s a LONG way from […]
Colfax Avenue – Lakewood, Colorado
I have MANY happy memories of trips from the Midwest to Colorado. My Mom and Dad would pile us in the un air-conditioned station wagon, and off we would go…on two lane roads…to head West to Colorado. I still remember the Mom and Pop motels where we would stay. Dad always managed to find a […]