Today, the Backside of Perrine-Coulee Falls

 Got a bit of late start, but got on the road for a quick java and snack before we found our way to the Falls we saw yesterday, but this time, we hiked the path that took us behind them.  Interesting thing we learned... there was actually a road behind them in the 1800's... keep in mind, it was mostly a road for carts and horses.  Anyway, was a fun journey and pics, well, they don't let you feel the spray and hear the noise!

Left the area and drove out to Shoshone Falls... and BOY were they running today... as was the crowd that was visiting the park.  That good old National Park Pass came in handy as the State Parks here recognize it and you get in free!!!  

Went down to the viewing platform after a bit of walk through the gorgeous GREEN grass and trees in the park... rolling little hills... pretty cool!  Anyway, I turned around to only find out that I was the only one going to the platform.  Jerry stayed up above.  Oh well, I got my pics so I was a happy camper.

Came home and showered... We have a Celebration of Life for a special lady to attend this evening!!!

We stopped forward motion at the arrow, the path had stuff blocking an easy walk

Out for an Explore by Myself; Later, a Search for the Perrine/Coulee Falls

Jer had an early wakeup to go golfing with about 12 folks here; I was planning on sleeping in and having a great slow morning just for me!  Couldn't get back to sleep, figures, so I left for a walk, which was smart, cuz that early it was already 69 degrees out.  I could see there's a HUGE Mormon Temple here... used that spot as a destination then went wandering the neighborhood.  Man oh man, some BIG and EXPENSIVE houses around the temple.  As I ventured out further, very nice homes, but not quite as opulent as the ones I saw earlier.

Got back home, had some brekky, decided I'd get Ruby washed up and go charge her.  Car wash, done; charging happening; time for a walk along the Snake Canyon Rim.  So pretty... walked back to the car, saw Jerry was there (they dropped him off after golfing at the charging station) and looked at the car!  OH DANG... a super thick coating of dust.  Right behind the station, there was construction happening and a front loader was scrapping the dry, rocky dirt... creating it's own dust storm.   Oh well, not the end of the world.

Got some lunch and drove to the Perrine-Coulee Falls. Took some time to get to the right spot... one time GPS was not the greatest.  Gonna go back tomorrow and try to hike behind them.  They say it's possible and we saw a path there.

Checked into our B&B, rested up a minute or so, and then met up with our friends for a ride out to enjoy their family's Hot Dog Dinner... A very nice way to top off the day! 

Isn't this a cute shed J created... it's had many lives on the property, and was moved by the creek and now has all sorts of "Paint by Numbers" portraits on the wall... Way fun!

The creek is really a Coulee, water which flows throughout the area providing irrigation and flood mitigation or something like that... Even in the neighborhood I walked in earlier, I could see and then hear under them, grates with water flowing quickly.

  

Driving Across Oregon into Idaho Watching the Topography Change

So, our day started out, clear, blue, and comfy.  Pendleton is a town that had much to offer (underground tours for one thing!) but since we had a deadline to meet, we just stayed the one evening, had a great breakfast with our fellow B & B guests, and realized just how many things that are fun to do while in town listening to them talk.  Maybe a trip in the future?  

 When we left, the area had lots of brown rolling hills... we climbed a pass, and the next thing you know, trees!  lots of them!!!  Kept on going and the trees became more sparse.  Then, back to more barren land.  Still, very pretty in a different way.  Speed limit was 80, which was nice, and of course, Jerry managed to inch that up to a bit more!  Not many pics today... the last 3 hours of driving found the whole area quite hazy from all the smoke blowing in.  Fortunately, no fires where we are, but the air is suffering from the fires further away!

Three trailer trucks... are everywhere...

Cruise control set at 90... speed limit, 80... car really makes that speed seem like you're doing 55!

Love the view... not so much... Haze hid it all!

Going on a Car Trip!

 Another new adventure since the lockdown has been lifted:  a Car Trip to Idaho and then, who knows where!  We will start in Twin Falls, arriving after a couple days on the road (this one being day 1) then return home taking our time and seeing sights we haven't seen before in our own state... or maybe Oregon... see, we don't even have a plan!  Lots of fires in our state and Oregon, so those come into play when determining our route.

Left the evergreen part of our state crossing the pass, then turned left for Yakima, and boy... the scenery really changed.  The ever so slight hills were be golden or some would be dusty gray while the flatter fields, well, they were a vibrant green.  The land here is definitely working all the time.  We filled Ruby up in Yakima, then were good till we arrived in Pendleton, Oregon, our destination for the night.  But first, a stop for a meal in Prosser, and that was a treat.  Prosser is also filled with wineries, but we didn't check those out as we are on a mission to get to Twin! The restaurant décor was perfect for the area: Gun door handles, beautiful lifelike horse paintings on walls and the restroom had some really cute vignettes too!!

We are spending the night in a sweet B & B... gorgeous old majestic home.  There is the Umatilla River a couple blocks away and a nice river walk.  We rested a bit then headed out for a walk along the river.  Yippee, got a bridge picture! The temps were in the mid 80's but there was a wee breeze that helped cool us a bit.  Had a great dinner in a distillery that now has a great restaurant - a great way to finish the day.  Oh, and some guy whose bottom we got to view the whole evening!

Got to see the back side of Rainier, or is this Adams?  not sure...

Lunch Time!  Prosser, WA

Golden Hills....

Our B and B for the night....

River Walk

Well, this guy surprised us

This was our view during our meal, but we then found the view from the front when he walked revealed a bit more than we cared to see...