One June afternoon we headed east out of Portland after eating sandwiches at Sheridan Fruit Company and grabbing Tim from work. We drove through most of Oregon and ended up at a great off-the-highway State Park called Emigrant Springs State Park. We had our own camper cabin, a lovely view of the woods, a bit of privacy, our own fridge, and a stove/oven on our front porch!
Next stop: Boise, Idaho. We stayed at an apartment in a beautiful neighborhood called Hyde Park, just north of downtown. The apartment was fun and quirky, with philosophy texts, Star Wars everything, baseball posters, and an incredibly wise old oak tree in the front yard. We walked all around the neighborhood, where we found a toy shop (G. Willikers!), an ice cream shop, and a very relaxing patio where we ordered guacamole with potato chips, 'cause when in Idaho you get potato instead of corn. We ended up at Camel's Back Park where Miriam and Tim played on the playground and Liz elevated her heart rate while climbing a very steep hill; she was rewarded with impressive views (and tried to take a panorama of the skyline but still doesn't really know how to use a cell phone camera all that well).
The next day we awoke, fed the child, packed and headed straight to the toy shop where Miriam picked out her road trip souvenir toy, a flamingo popper. Next we found our way to the very bountiful but unshaded Boise farmers market where we ate tamales, Somali food and beignets while sipping iced coffee. Mmm, mmm. From the market lot, we were able to walk to the riverfront which is well-developed and clean. The river was raging! There was fallen cotton from the cottonwood trees lining the pedestrian-bike path with big fluff balls and Miriam was very happy collecting it and making big plans. "I'm going to stuff a whole pillow," she proclaimed.
As luck would have it (AKA the beer gods love us), we discovered a nearby brewery with a beer garden! So we went there next.
After a pint at Payette Brewing, we began our journey north out of Boise to McCall, Idaho and the pretty Ponderosa State Park. But, what do you know, we didn't get very far, because we found a brewery beside a cidery in a strip-mall in suburban Boise. So we stopped. We had to. Because it didn't make any sense not to.
Once back on the road, things were pretty uneventful, although quite scenic, until we finally reached a town called Cascade, about 20 minutes south of our destination of McCall. We found a flea market with restrooms! And Tim, who looks good in tie dyes got a great deal on some tie dye tees.
Finally, we reached McCall, and it's cute. It borders Lake Payette, and offers a couple of breweries, cafes, grocery store, restaurants, a harbor. We grabbed dinner at McCall Brewery, then headed to our camper cabin in Ponderosa State Park.
We loved our cabin and campsite; it was a short hike over a small hill to the lakeside. Miriam biked all around our site safely and loved it. But there were some sub-optimal elements too. First of all, the bed on the bottom bunk basically felt like sleeping on a board. Not comfortable. And the mosquitoes, oh the mosquitoes! We had been warned about the skeeters so we got some fancy anti-skeeter bracelets and they sort of helped, maybe. We found ourselves swatting the air a lot. But we roasted marshmallows and made a delicious campfire meal fit for an Italian restaurant.
All in all, it was a nice experience. And then....
....Tim fell horribly ill. Chills, fevered, sick. We finally concluded that he was likely suffering from sun poisoning, so he hydrated, rested, napped. When he felt a little better, we went up to the northern part of the lake and went out on a family kayak trip. Miriam's first. We all loved it and it inspired us to want to do it more often in our neck of the Oregon woods.
Tim woke up feeling cruddy again so we did what we had to do. We left our campsite one day early and headed for an air-conditioned hotel. It was awesome and the right decision. Miriam and Liz swam in the pool, made friends with some Idahoans, and Tim fully recovered. Hotels can be so great sometimes.
The drive the next day, through the Nez Perce Wilderness was some of the prettiest scenery of all. If you've ever dreamed about being a character in A River Runs Through It, you'll know what I mean. Just damn pretty, and peaceful.
We cruised through Lolo, and arrived in Missoula later that day. After unpacking and ogling our modern adorable apartment on the SW side of town, we headed downtown. We found, wait for it...a brewery (Kettlehouse Brewing) and enjoyed some bean bag toss on the back patio. Miriam really liked the unshelled peanuts; her shelling skills greatly improved.
The next day, we set out to explore Missoula by bike. "Bicycle Friendly City", the city limits sign reads. And it is! Mostly. As Tim pointed out, they do many things right - bike paths, signals, signage, lanes, handouts - but there are some somewhat dangerous street transitions and lack of courtesy from many drivers. It seemed like about 60% of drivers stopped for bicycles.
Outside of Pendleton, OR
Bunk bed!
Making oatmeal at our patio outdoor kitchen- nice view
View from our camper cabin
We made a quick stop in Baker City, OR the following day. Cute enough, but nothing too exciting unless you are there during Barley Brown Brewing's open hours...and since we missed those hours we ate a quick bite at a forgettable pub and forged ahead.
Baker City street art
Neat old buildings in Baker City
Next stop: Boise, Idaho. We stayed at an apartment in a beautiful neighborhood called Hyde Park, just north of downtown. The apartment was fun and quirky, with philosophy texts, Star Wars everything, baseball posters, and an incredibly wise old oak tree in the front yard. We walked all around the neighborhood, where we found a toy shop (G. Willikers!), an ice cream shop, and a very relaxing patio where we ordered guacamole with potato chips, 'cause when in Idaho you get potato instead of corn. We ended up at Camel's Back Park where Miriam and Tim played on the playground and Liz elevated her heart rate while climbing a very steep hill; she was rewarded with impressive views (and tried to take a panorama of the skyline but still doesn't really know how to use a cell phone camera all that well).
Very cool tree house in Hyde Park
Patio snacks
(Who is that mysterious man??)
Camel's Back- it's steep!
Halfway up
Final steps...
...and lovely views
As luck would have it (AKA the beer gods love us), we discovered a nearby brewery with a beer garden! So we went there next.
Street tractor fun, Boise style
On the riverfront, neat bike/ped path
Cottonwood cotton!
Epitome of easy summer livin', at Payette Brewing
After a pint at Payette Brewing, we began our journey north out of Boise to McCall, Idaho and the pretty Ponderosa State Park. But, what do you know, we didn't get very far, because we found a brewery beside a cidery in a strip-mall in suburban Boise. So we stopped. We had to. Because it didn't make any sense not to.
Meriwether Cider (excellent) and aforementioned newly acquired Flamingo Popper
Once back on the road, things were pretty uneventful, although quite scenic, until we finally reached a town called Cascade, about 20 minutes south of our destination of McCall. We found a flea market with restrooms! And Tim, who looks good in tie dyes got a great deal on some tie dye tees.
Finally, we reached McCall, and it's cute. It borders Lake Payette, and offers a couple of breweries, cafes, grocery store, restaurants, a harbor. We grabbed dinner at McCall Brewery, then headed to our camper cabin in Ponderosa State Park.
We loved our cabin and campsite; it was a short hike over a small hill to the lakeside. Miriam biked all around our site safely and loved it. But there were some sub-optimal elements too. First of all, the bed on the bottom bunk basically felt like sleeping on a board. Not comfortable. And the mosquitoes, oh the mosquitoes! We had been warned about the skeeters so we got some fancy anti-skeeter bracelets and they sort of helped, maybe. We found ourselves swatting the air a lot. But we roasted marshmallows and made a delicious campfire meal fit for an Italian restaurant.
We biked to a little beach on Payette Lake
All in all, it was a nice experience. And then....
....Tim fell horribly ill. Chills, fevered, sick. We finally concluded that he was likely suffering from sun poisoning, so he hydrated, rested, napped. When he felt a little better, we went up to the northern part of the lake and went out on a family kayak trip. Miriam's first. We all loved it and it inspired us to want to do it more often in our neck of the Oregon woods.
Happy Father's Day, Tim!
Back in McCall on a cute cafe patio
The drive the next day, through the Nez Perce Wilderness was some of the prettiest scenery of all. If you've ever dreamed about being a character in A River Runs Through It, you'll know what I mean. Just damn pretty, and peaceful.
Whizzing by the beauty in the car
This captures our trip well= packed car, Miriam reading
We cruised through Lolo, and arrived in Missoula later that day. After unpacking and ogling our modern adorable apartment on the SW side of town, we headed downtown. We found, wait for it...a brewery (Kettlehouse Brewing) and enjoyed some bean bag toss on the back patio. Miriam really liked the unshelled peanuts; her shelling skills greatly improved.
The next day, we set out to explore Missoula by bike. "Bicycle Friendly City", the city limits sign reads. And it is! Mostly. As Tim pointed out, they do many things right - bike paths, signals, signage, lanes, handouts - but there are some somewhat dangerous street transitions and lack of courtesy from many drivers. It seemed like about 60% of drivers stopped for bicycles.
California Street bike/ped bridge
We biked our way to a really great children's science museum, run by the University of Montana, called SpectrUM. It was a really lovely space with some great exhibits.
I love what's written on the wall. "Science. Try it."
I can't help but think a few of our nation's politicians should visit this museum.
3-D Printer
3-D Printer creations
Proud creator
He's pure magic, folks
Really appealing sand in the erosion exhibit
After SpectrUM, we found ourselves at a special brewery, or rather, community space that also makes and sells beer, called Imagine (John and Yoko inspired). Sipping a pint and eating incredible food, delivered from nearby Tias, we felt extremely relaxed.
Patio, with sandpit for children
As we were leaving, Miriam discovered the dress-up area:
Cutest cowpoke ya ever did see
V, the final battle
Other fine things about Missoula:
Connected, maintained, dedicated bike paths
Carousel rides in Caras Park
Modern colorful architecture everywhere
Our sweet apartment home for two nights
Who remembers Mousetrap?
Heading to the Hiawatha Bike Route
Bye-bye, wonderful Missoula! We'll come again one day.
We met up with Liz's dad, Rick, and her uncle, Fred for a spectacular 15-mile bike ride at the Montana-Idaho border. Warning: What you're about to see may make you salivate for the great outdoors.
Preparing for the ride
It begins
Man and child entering tunnel- 1.8 miles, none more black
Quite literally the light at the end...
We made it through to the other side...
...and there was a waterfall waiting for us
Rick and the forest
Fred's giddy from the views
Dad and (goofball) daughter
Streeeeeeetch
Another, shorter brighter, tunnel (ten tunnels total)
Stopping for a picnic lunch
A satisfied man
(Props to Montavilla Food Co-op)
Sigh
Riding the school bus back up, bikes in the back
No trip through NE Washington would be complete without a stop in Spokane. We spent a few nights at Uncle Fred's great new house, exploring a few new neighborhoods and hanging out in a sunny park.
And this is where Miriam (and we) ride off into the sunset.
Until next time, intrepid road-trippers.
