Home Again, Home Again Jiggety Jig!

Our time to return to Canada draws close. We packed up to leave The Dalles this morning to head back. It was about 9 am and it was approaching 70 F.

The view to the West was of Mount Rainier peeping over the hills to the South West. We however will be heading North.

The hotel has done a nice job of keeping up their entryway. The roses were manicured and the lawns were neatly clipped and trimmed.

We head North over the Mighty Columbia. You will remember it's size where it passes Astoria to meet the sea. Even here it flexes it's brawny muscles as it rips down the spillway at The Dalles dam.

Before long we have climbed up above the River. There were many pullouts to take pictures, and it seemed we availed ourselves of each one.

A keen eye will see both the Highway far below and the railroad tracks. There is a white semi right of center on the highway above the river and which is just barely visible from this angle.

A look back down the river shows us the Sam Hill Memorial Bridge and Mount Hood in the far distance.

After crossing the Columbia Plateau we drop down to Toppenish. It is billed as the City of Murals. Here is one. We gassed up and headed on without investigating the fullness of the muraldom.

One of the great albeit brief treats of this time of year is the Rainier Cherry.
Rainier Goodness  You have to strike while the iron is hot if you want to taste these beauties, because the season is short and supplies limited.

Incidentally the bottom portion of this sign read ASPARAGUS WINE. Why anyone would want to make wine from asparagus is beyond me!

As you know we always keep our eye open for a real estate bargain. We both agreed that this fixer-upper is not likely to meet our criterion of a good prospect.

We wanted to stop and eat a picnic lunch and Easton promised a turn off with character. We pulled off to see.

We took this picture of the Welcome to Easton sign and only then noticed the building this sign was adjacent to.

This is the Easton Post Office. The door has a pitched snow roof. Something to keep in mind if you need to pickup your mail in January BY SNOWMOBILE!

There is an old rail car  on display on Railroad Ave. It actually looks like a mail car, rather than a passenger or freight car.

We found a place to have our picnic beside a pond. These ponds are maintained by the Easton Volunteer Fire Dept. Good job guys..........

We listened to the birds and, had a nice break with a light meal.

Our repast on this occasion included some of that delicious 3 year old Tillamook White Cheddar.

To add to the Cheddar we had Lemon Pepper Smoked Oysters from the Oregon Coast. These were delicious.

Then there were those delicious Rainier Cherries, which we had no trouble finishing off, as we were unable to bring them across the border.

Oh yeah, there were assorted crackers to go along and I had decided to "Do the Dew". I don't drink this very often, but enjoy it every time I do.

Over the pass and downhill to the Junction of I-405;. We turned North and continued until we got North of Marysville to the Rest Area. We usually try to stop at this one because of the easy access. Oh yeah, there's also the Big Tree. It never ceases to amaze, although I have seen bigger stumps in the forest.

Here is us! We are almost ready to go to our home now.

But first a stop at Johnny Carina's. This is a restaurant we have eaten at starting in Texas, but also in California. I ordered the Cheese Tortellini but got them to add Chicken into the mix. I had trouble finishing the plate. I'm glad I didn't order any dessert.

After topping off with some of that good cheap American gas we crossed the border, and came over the Alex Fraser Bridge.

Coming up the Squamish Highway, the sun was setting  and we caught a couple shots of Howe Sound. The view is perpetually excellent.

 
This is the same shot in with no zoom. I particularly like the fading light coming through the lifting eyes in the Jersey Barrier. Different but also good.

Back at home....eyes closing...must sleep!!