Supe and Beacher live in the Garden of Eden!

Tuesday after work Paul and I took off for the long drive to Astoria to take Supe and Beacher's stuff to them.  We had planned to leave early Wednesday morning, but were too excited to wait!  We tried to make it to Sparks that first night, but we were just too tired to go that far and ended up staying in Tonopah, Nevada.  It is not the most beautiful place on earth and we stayed in a somewhat seedy motel, but it was good to stop.  As we were checking in an older man came in very irate about when the hot water was going to start working so he could take a bath.  All I can say is that we checked pretty close for bed bugs and and were glad we didn't find any.  We got a good night's sleep. In the morning we grabbed a quick bite from a little store and got on our way.  (The water in the morning alternated between scalding and cold!)

Big Bill is a hero in Tonapah.  Other sights before and after Tohopah.

Our goal for Wednesday was to get to Crater Lake, Oregon and find a place to camp.  We did get there and it had been snowing and all of the campgrounds were closed, so we drove down to a little town on the other side (Prospect) and got something to eat and then found a campsite and ate our dinner and camped out there getting set up in the dark.  It was low enough that there was no snow and we had a dry night in a beautiful spot.  We found out in the morning that the campground was actually closed, but since it was dark we didn't notice that little sign.  We did pay for it though! No wonder no once else was there!

Rogue River Gorge in the evening and camp spot in the morning

Thursday morning we went back into Prospect and got breakfast at the same little store and then drove back to Crater Lake to see the sights.  It was beautiful and freezing!  We watched the movie in the Visitor's Center while we waited to see if they would get the road cleared so that we could continue on the route we had chosen.  They got the west side of the loop around the lake cleared which was what we needed. We gotta get back up there when the weather is a little warmer to see the whole place.

Shot overlooking the lake, Wizard Island, learning to take a Selfie, beautiful stone fireplace in the Visitor's Center. 

We continued on stopping at a few waterfalls on the way and made it to Astoria in time for dinner with Supe and Beacher.  They live in a cute house in such a beautiful setting.  We unloaded their stuff after dinner. I think they were the most excited to see their bikes had made it there at last and Supe was really excited to get his little 3-D printer.

Clearwarter,Whitehorse and Watson Falls

Same places, silly Selfies

Supe and Beacher's place and crossing the Astoria-Megler Bridge

Friday we hung out with Supe during the day until Beacher got off work.  They said we brought the rain with us.  It wasn't the pouring type of rain, but mostly heavy mist. We went down to see/hear the crazy seals that are on the docks behind the store where Beacher works. We also visited the Astoria Column and Young's River Falls. For dinner we got the amazing crab melts and clam chowder that we have been hearing about.  It was at a place right on the dock.  After that we went on a beautiful drive through the "enchanted forest". Then we headed home to play Hellsapoppin' and drink hot chocolate and figure out how to work their pellet stove. 

Young's River Falls, Astoria Column, crazy seals and Paul in a troll hole

Beacher's Workplace and outdoor chowder/crab melt dining spot -
we got done just as it started to mist.

Saturday Paul and Supe got the bikes put back together and then we went exploring again while Beacher worked.  We went to Fort Stevens and down to the beach by it where we saw the wreck of the Peter Iredale buried in the sand.  We also went to Fort Clatsop where Lewis and Clark spent the winter after they reached the coast and walked on some beautiful trails through the forest there.  After we picked Beacher up we got some delicious fish and chips for lunch and then drove across the Astoria-Megler Bridge that spans the Columbia river between Astoria and Megler, Washington.  It is 4.1 miles long being the longest continuous truss bridge in North America.  After that we were off to Cannon Beach and Haystack Rocks for low tide.  Then it was home for a gourmet pasta salad and garlic bread dinner by Supe and Beacher and an evening playing Rook.  They wasted Paul and me!

Peter Iredale wreck and Fort Clatsop trails

Dockside sights, Fish and Chips, "enchanted forest"

Cannon Beach/Haystack Rocks and one-legged seagul

Sunday morning after sacrament meeting it was time to say good-bye.  The ward seemed very friendly and excited to have them and Supe got called to YM working with the deacons.  Then we headed off to Kennewick enjoying the scenic Columbia River Gorge to visit Mom and the Brooks clan.  It was so fun to see the kids/grand kids that live in that area too.  Tony cooked up some delicious pheasant for dinner and they also loaded us up with lots of wonderful things they grew/canned/got in the area to take home with us.  It was such a fun evening.  Monday morning it was an early start for the long drive down to Lehi where we got to spend the night with Jay and Brynn and girls and sing a late birthday to Jay.

A birthday Bonsai

Rain drenched beauty

Tuesday morning we left early to get to Paul's doctor appointment in Park City, drove the Alpine Loop, went to an appointment in Provo and then home to St. George - almost 2,700 miles in all.  It was a great trip.  Loved seeing everyone and everything.  Just wish Supe and Beacher, Jay and Bryn and the Brooks clan/Mom were a little closer so we could see them all more often!  (Didn't get pictures of this last part - just got kind of done with taking pictures.)