We just happened to be at our kid’s home when they were hosting a surprise birthday party for one of Ashlyn’s classmates.
A bunch of girls arrived, decorated, and tried to hide when the birthday girl arrived. After the usual shouts of “Surprise!” and apparent shock at being so surprised… she admitted she’d known what was coming. We said we were pretty sure she didn’t know WE would be there (since she didn’t know us and why would she care?) and she said she’d known that too! (Ashlyn had mentioned we were visiting earlier in the week.) Her parents had driven up from their home a couple hours south (she is a boarding student at the school) and I do think that surprised her.
Sabbath morning the Upper Columbia Academy Brass Quintet, and the Sax Quintet, were playing for a tiny church in Post Falls, Idaho. There were two little girls who came forward for a children’s story – I think the only two kids in the church! Our kids played very well!
A lot of fog at Loren and Karen’s house, but it made for some pretty walks!
Karen and Ashlyn played some wonderful duets for us! Karen has been playing/teaching harp for years, and now Ashlyn is a very good harpist as well.
Saturday night we met at Jeffery and Brooke’s home to celebrate Brooke’s birthday. The group included Karen & Loren, Dave & Tania, Pastor Stephen & Michelle, and several of the kids. Music, food and games! Happy Birthday Brooke!
We knew that after that party, anything else would be a let-down… so we headed out on our road trip! Ha! OK, it was sad leaving our family, but it was time, so we headed towards Portland, Oregon. We’re collecting a good list of Supercharging sites! If we ever make it home, I will try to make a list of all the stops and info about charging an electric car on a road trip. Too busy to do that now!
In Portland we stayed with long time friends Jeff and Marilyn. They have a beautiful home, which you will have to imagine because I didn’t take pictures there.
We did spend some time at Mt Tabor Park, hiking around above the city. The area is gorgeous and the view of the city is great fun.
Here you can see Portland through the trees…
A series of reservoirs was built in the early 1900’s, to serve the city’s water supply. The architecture is interesting to me, and they have been in service until fairly recently. The Federal government said they would have to build covers over each of the reservoirs if they were to use them for city water, and locals said that would be ugly. So they disconnected the pools and now I guess they are just for looks!
Reservoir No 5, 1911 is printed on the steps of this control building.
After a great hike, and then a remedial Pickle Ball lesson (Super fun!) we had to get on the road again. This time headed further south, to Sacramento, California.
For a minute I thought we’d driven all the way to Japan, and were seeing Mount Fuji! That’s a bit farther than the range of the Tesla, so we have to admit this is Mount Shasta.
When we pulled into a Supercharger, I noticed the Maserati trident logo on the wheels of the car next to us. Wow! I didn’t know Maserati made an electric car. (Some non-Teslas can charge at Tesla Superchargers.) Then the trident behind the back side window, and the Maserati script on the back. But as soon as I saw the whole side of the car, I knew it was just someone with a great sense of humor! It is an older Tesla, with a few untruthful additions to obfuscate its heritage.
Next week we continue our road trip in a non-Maserati…