The Road Less Traveled

OK, let's revue, when I'm going to the Tri-Cities, I'm going to where the purle arrow is. Over the weekend we went to Oregon, and played at HatRock on the Columbia River ( Red Arrow ) Newport is where the Green Arrow is. And the Red line is the backroads that I followed on my return.

The Boys and their Boats.

The BBQ after the boating.

OK, It IS sideways, but it's till a GREAT tatoo!!!

The road less traveled. A phrase often used, but how often do you actually exit the freeway, pull out the map, take the extra time, and follow the back roads? On my return from the Tri-Cities yesterday, I cut off the interstate, and headed for the open roads, exploring little towns along the way. From Lind (a town with no services that you would want to stop at, quiet, small, run down) I headed north to Odessa, where I found my gas tank on empty and again, could not find an open gas station. After driving all through town, each main street lined with green lawns and well cared for houses, I stopped to ask a woman painting her steps if she knew of an open gas station. As a new resident to the town, she didn’t know, but told me to walk across the street and ask the couple that seem to know everything. The woman swung the door open and greeted me like we’ve know each other for years…. Small town America…. And of course she had a solution for me. Old gas pumps but a Credit card reader mounted to the wall of the Grange.

I Proceeded North, cut East for a bit to Harrington, North to Davenport, East to Reardan, North through Ford, Springdale, Valley, and Chewelah, where I headed East over Flowery Trail, where, reaching the peak, you’ll find 49* North Ski area. Down the mountain, through Usk, across the Pend Oreille River, and home. All in all it took a little over two additional hours to get home, but well worth it.

I find such beauty in old dilapidated structures...

Heading into Odessa

Where the hell am I and what was I thinking?

Coffeepot Lake between Odessa and Harrington... rather unexpected find.

Harrington, Washington

I turned around to look at a quaint farm as I passed, to find the most amazing sunset. Of course I had to stop… I can’t describe it… you’ll have to settle for “a picture is worth a thousand words”.

The Road to Republic

Took a road trip last night... headed to Republic, which is 115 miles from home, and 2.5 hrs away. An incredibly beautiful drive. Trying to get lost, I soon realized I'd seen this route last year. I can't forget the devistating fire damage.....

A Drive In Movie Theatre near Collville, WA, I though was defunct, but there was a movie showing when I passed by.

LET'S RODEO!!!

The next six pictures, are a series, from chute, to the fall....

NEXT!!!TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, THE BULL NEARLY LANDED ON THE RIDER!!!

4th of July Weekend in the Tri-Cities (Southern Washington)

4th of July on the Indian Reservation North of Newport, along the Pend Oreille River, just before the fireworks display.





Up the mountains behind the property, overlooking Newport
Learning more about guns!!!




Yet another overdue instalment.

Much has been going on. There was the Newport Rodeo, which was a blast. I have some great pictures that even impressed me.

Matt, from St.Louis came up for just over a week. He decided to have a well drilled on the property. We expected the well to reach almost 400 feet, but we hit water at 98.5 feet! Not only did we hit water, but an aquifer, which creates and Artesian Well. The water is free flowing out of the well, at 2 gallons per minute. Which isn’t half bad for not having a pump. The well cost less than half what was proposed, and has all of the neighbors jealous. I won’t have warm water until I get electric, but having any water (even if it is freezing cold) is wonderful.!!!

We did a lot of traveling to places that we visited in the winter. It was exactly one year after I had seen these places for the first time myself. I’m always awed by the scenery.

Last weekend was the Bull-A-Rama, but didn’t get any good pics from that.

I moved the Airstream closer to the well, and closer to the small deck that Matt and I built while he was here, it’s feeling more and more like home.

Work is going wonderfully, my evaluation was glowing….

“ Considering that Ron is the newest member of the office team, he has shown a remarkable adaptability in dealing with sales. His willingness to lean every facet of the operation has shown that he is indeed a very valuable addition to the Safetyline Family.”

Just though I’d brag a bit….

Not much else to add, so enjoy the pictures….