Eden/Twin Falls, ID

continuing our adventure we are in Twin Falls, Idaho.  We realized that we were in this area almost exactly one year ago.  It was nice showing showing Bob and Sharon around the areas that we visited.  We took Bob and Sharon to see Shoshone Falls and the Perrine Bridge, then we went for lunch at Elevation 486. From this restaurant you get a good view of the Perrine Bridge.

Perrine Bridge, 8th highest bridge in the US

Mr. Perrine who built the bridge.

Shoshone Falls, Niagra of the West.

Shashone Falls are spectacular

Car made of cardboard at the Elevation 486 Cafe.

This is an interesting image with the railing outside the Elevation 486 designed like the Perrine bridge and the Perrine Bridge way in the background.

Deer outside Elevation 486 Cafe.

On Tuesday, we went to the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Cherie was able to get her first national stamp on this trip.

Inferno Cone

Made it to the top

On the way down, very windy. Cone Butte in the background.
you can see our car in the way in the background.  It's the blue dot.

One of the vent holes where the volcanic cinders came from

Inside the cinder cone

Caldwell, ID

We arrived in Caldwell, ID and the air quality is much better, we can actually see the sky.

We checked out local things to do and found the Caldwell City calendar. WE found a free 50's concert at Indian Creek Plaza on Friday night, so decided to go.  We had such a good time, the band J.R. and the Stingrays were great.  They have played on Princess cruises.

Loved the old truck.

Chair were provided to watch the concert.

As dusk settles in.

Dressing the part. We liked her Dorothy shoes. :)

Afterwards we went to the Indian Creek Steakhouse for dinner, very good food.  They also had these Indian mannequins on display expressing their feelings regarding COVID19.

On Saturday we went to the Cracker Barrel for breakfast and then Graham, Bob, and Cherie went in search of the Boise Outlet Center.  Graham was looking for a new pair of shoes.  Boy, were we disappointed!  Only about 6 stores still open in that outlet, the rest, about 3/4 of the outlet had absolutely no shops at all.  Found a DSW store closer to Caldwell where Graham got lucky and found a new pair of deck shoes.

Pendleton, OR 9/16/2020

 We arrived yesterday and set up, walked the dogs, had dinner and took it easy.

Today we went out to breakfast and then went to the Pendleton Underground Tour.  It was about 2 hours long and our tour guide, Matt, was great.  The Underground Tour was truly a surprise, looking into the history of Pendleton.  We learned about how the Chinese co-existed with the people of Pendleton, many times suffering discrimination while providing necessary services to the community.  The tour discussed the shady side of life in the 1800's and early 1900's; such as, brothels, speak easys and opium dens.

Bob and Sharon

Saddle up to the bar

Poker anyone

Chinese working area

Speak easy during prohibition.  Customers were told to speak easy to avoid detection by the police.

Private bedroom of prostitutes. The local madam took care of her girls by providing them with private bedrooms and separate working rooms. She also hired a traveling preacher for Sunday services and tried to help the girls get out of the business if she could.

Brothel kitchen

Boarder's room, to make the brothel legit

Chinese underground quarters

Lunch after at the Prodigal Son Brewery.

Portland 2020

 We had a great visit with Mom and Rory and Kerry.

South Beach & the Dalles

 We stayed a few days at South Beach State Park so that we could visit with our good friends Kit and Joni Brainard.  We met Kit and Joni and Bob and Sharon at the House of Scotland in Balboa Park and were members together for many years.  While visiting with Kit and Joni, we were able to take a walk along the beach. It was Sadie's first time and she loved it.  She ran and ran.  Kit and Joni also have a new puppy Berniedoodle who was delightful to meet.  Abby has been to the beach many times and she loves it as well.

Graham, Bob,and Sharon

Kit & Joni

Abby and Martha

The next night Kit and Joni treated us to dinner at Georgie's, a waterfront restaurant.  We had such a good time, can't wait till next year when we can see them again.

Next stop, Portland to visit with family.  But first, we took a Saturday drive down to the Dalles via the Old Historic Columbia River Highway.  We found the Vista House, built in 1917 on one of the most beautiful scenic points on the Columbia River Highway. It was constructed to provide travelers with a place to rest as they made their way down the Columbia River Gorge.

The Columbia Gorge so smokey from the fires, you can't see it.

Further down the road, we saw Horsetail falls.  Because of all of the smoke and I'm sure the COVID-19 scare, all of the points of interest along the historic highway were closed.  When we stopped there was a Forest Service ranger guarding the parking lot to direct sightseers away.  While Graham spoke to the Ranger I was able to quickly get some shots of the falls.  

We finally found the Dalles Dam. Unfortunately, the visitors center was closed and once again due to the fires, we could not see anything very well.

What we saw

What we should have seen

We looked on line to see what else was in Dalles and found St. Pete'rs Landmark built in 1897 and dedicated in 1898.  Church services are still held here on occasion, however it is used more for weddings and events.  They were supposed to demolition this church in the early 1970's but kept it open as a landmark.