Happy Birthday

Friday was a day for Birthdays, sightseeing and eating. We had a wonderful lunch at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane followed by some of the sights of the City. We took in the falls, the sight of the 1974 Worlds Fair (which Connie and I had been to), some of the neighborhoods and a beautiful park. Later we had another gourmet dinner at Winston and Julie's followed by a birthday party with cake and games. I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all.

Lookout Spokane

We're here! We rolled in to Spokane about 3 o'clock after a short and beautiful drive through Lewiston and Washington's Palouse Country. This was just the perfect time of the year for beautiful weather and scenery. Palouse Country of eastern Washington is famous for some great rolling hill and farmland photos. We got a few but it was hard to stop with the trailer in many of the spots that I wanted to shoot. We got just a few and we might go home that way and get some more. Earlier we took in the view of the wild flowers above Joseph Canyon and traversed yet another curvy road. This has been an extremely enjoyable drive. Jane, Anna and Bernice have all arrived and Winston and Julie served us a scrumptious dinner. I'm not sure what tomorrow holds but if I come to a picture I'll take it and put here for all so see.

Hell's Canyon

Today we made the least distance but enjoyed the best scenery so far. We got off to an early start but only went 5 miles before stopping at the Oregon Trail Visitors Center. Connie checked out some of the RVs from way back and we decided we should just stick with ours! The exhibits were interesting. Then on down to the Snake River at Oxbow only to find out we had been steered wrong by our computer map and our navigation system. No worries. A short 5 mile backtrack and we were on our way to Joseph OR. It was a slow winding 62 miles to Joseph but a beautiful drive through the mountains beside streams and with a couple of overlooks to Hell's Canyon. Awesome! Now we're settled into a little RV park in Joseph, a nice little town with a beautiful lake and a beautiful snow covered mountain backdrop. Spring has just arrive on the countryside and I think this was the perfect time of the year for the route we took. Everything has been so green and the wild flowers are prolific. Tomorrow leaves us with a short jaunt to Winston and Julie's.

The Painted Hills

Well today I have some pictures for you. After a short round of shopping we got out of Sisters around 10:30 and headed for the Painted Hills. We took some pictures there and had lunch before heading over to Baker City Oregon where we are spending the night. Tomorrow it will be off to Hell's Canyon. There are a few more SPOT location now if you just use the same link as yesterday.

On the road again!

Well here we are traveling again. Not wanting to disappoint all of you that think that's all we do, we have started out for a week long trip to Spokane and back. We will be visiting Winston and Julie for Julie's birthday party, and a house warming get together. Sorry there are no good pictures so far but I'll try to do better today. Last night we stayed in Sisters Oregon and today we are headed for John Day Fossil Beds and the the Painted Hills. By tonight we should be some where near Hell's Canyon. Here is my SPOT satellite tracking link if you would like to keep track of our progress: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0B6SHFngl1yEBJAeIAPtjflM0YgV3NZqN

Yosemite cont.

Yosemite

Well here we are week before last settling in to a campsite at Yosemite. We were there from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20 and got some great pictures. There are more photos on my website www.tomwallis.com. It was snowing when we arrived and I had to chain up both the truck and trailer right after we entered the park (required). It snowed all night Monday night and most of the day Tuesday. I drove around and took pictures on Tuesday and it seemed like I had the whole park to myself. I drove up to tunnel view and found the whole valley socked in with clouds. I was about to leave when the clouds began to part and reveal a beautiful view of the snow covered valley. I got some great shots there including a panorama. No one there but me. It snowed on and off Tuesday night and Wednesday morning the sun was out in full force. There is nothing better than sun on fresh snow, so out for more pictures. It was awesome for a few hours and then the snow started to fall off the trees. As the day went on it got a lot less spectacular. Wednesday evening I was ready to get the annual shot of the sunset on Horsetail falls along with probably about 40 0r 50 other photographers and it didn't happen. This event only occurs in the last two weeks of February and only if the weather is just right. Thursday I was kind of spoiled by the day before and didn't see anything to get excited about but planned to try for the sunset shot again. Since it wasn't to crowded on Wednesday I didn't head out early. There are only a few places where you can take that picture. When we got there both of the good locations were packed. My guess would be 2 or 3 hundred people jockeying for a spot for their tripods. Connie and I found a spot to park in a snow bank a little ways from one of the full parking areas and it turned out I had a great view from the back of the truck. I set up my tripod and was all ready until a ranger came by and told us to move. The event was just starting so I had Connie drive away in the truck and I stayed in the snow and got some good shots from right there. I had that spot to myself! Friday we headed for Heidi's and got to see Alice and Jenny who were visiting from Portland. No more trips planned right away but if anything comes up I'll post it here.