In the first four days off the island I’ve driven nearly 2100 miles.  from Portland to Newport then to Seattle.  Down to Vancouver then to Mt. Hood, Hood River & The Dalles.  After that up and over to the Tri-Cities area and up to Spokane, then Coeur D’Alene.  Cruising through the mountains and old mining towns I ended up in Missoula Montana when I figured it was time to head back.  South Lolo and west on US12 back through the mountains to Lewiston Idaho and down to Walla Walla.  Next up was Umatilla, Pendelton, Pilot Rock, Heppner, Lexington and up to Interstate 84 where I headed east to Irrigon and spent Christmas with family and friends.

The drive was great and relaxing.  It was nice to drive faster that 30 miles and hour for hours and hours on end.  Seeing my family was great also.  I don’t see them often and when I do it’s nice.

I’m in Bend now for the last week of vacation.  Local live music is at the top of the list, a few open mic and jam nights and of course some skiing (uuuhm snowboarding) at Hoodoo and Mt. Bachelor.