Roe Reunion and the Trip
We started one stormy day. We packed our bags and our van. Around 11:00 PM we headed out. Switching drivers approximately every 2 hrs. It was different to be driving at sunrise. While driving I was listening to the Tennis Shoes and The Seven Churches by Chris Heimerdinger. For more info on this book go to http://www.cHeimerdinger.com. Note the title of the book changed to The Sacred Quest. Side Note: if you become a member of his site please use jaminman as the referer. Our trek took us over hills and valleys. After a few stops along the way we stopped to visit my cool uncle and family. We even had a surprise visit from my grandparents (They live across the street from my uncle). I was reminded that my uncle served his mission in Oregon. He pointed out somethings to look for like blackberries growing wild on the side of the roads. He also gave me some cards to discover each person's colors. Curious on what I am talking about? Go to his website http://www.insightlearning.com. We also found out the that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was celbrating their 75th anniversarry of The Music and the Spoken Word. It was too late to get tickets for that night. Anyways on to the Salt Lake City.
We arrived in Salt Lake City and stayed in the Best Western Plaza Hotel. Awesome room. The beds were so nice. The best for the whole trip. Thanks grandma and grandpa for the room. We went and saw The Testaments of One Fold and One Shepherd in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I recommend that all go and see this film. I've heard it now is showing at the Arizona Temple Visitors' Center. On Sunday we went to The Music and the Spoken Word. Our tickets were for the balcany seets. While there we watching the dress rehearsal the usher told us that those who wish to go down to the first level can. So, we did. It was cool. While we waited the last couple of minutes before the broadcast started, I noticed that a section of people stood up. Then I noticed that the prophet and his counselors came in. What an experience! After the 1/2 hour broadcast, the choir put on a concert for those that were there. Only one word for it - Awesome!!!!! Sadly we had to pack and leave for Boise after that. Make sure if you pass through SLC you give yourself more than 1 day to visit everything.
Our trip to Boise started after we left SLC. We stopped by the Dinosaur park in Ogden. It is an interesting park. There were dino sculpures/figures in different poses all over. JR had a blast at the play place. I'll post some pics later.
Next was the long drive up to Bruneau Dunes State Park. We rented a cabin for the night. The cabins were nice. They sleep 5. There is a bunk bed with a single on top and a double on the bottom. There is also a futon that folds out to a double bed. The part I like most was the A/C unit. It was very warm. Though it did cool off at night. Grandma even found a toad near the bathrooms. I heard her all the way across the camp ground. She screamed load! Later Mel caught it to show JR. He wanted to catch it, but couldn't find it. His frog trap was two bowls clapping them together. I doubt he could catch it that way.
Continuing on with the trip took us through Boise and on into Oregon. Oregon is definatly a clean state. The rest stops were nicely kept. One would think you are going to a private park instead of a rest stop. Though Oregon is not a state without some weirdness. The wierdest thing about Oregon, that I found, was a law that states a person can't pump their own gas. We stopped at one city to get gas and eat. When I got out I started to pay and an attendant said he would right over. He reminded me of the law. The gas station was an Arco AM/PM. Weird!!!
Our travels took us next to the "Gorge", the Columbia river. The river was nice sight to see. It even has water in it. Being from the desert, we have rivers with no water. The Salt River is one example. The City of Tempe made a lake in the riverbed. Anyways back to the trip. We crossed over at one point to the Washington side of the river. There we went to see Stone Henge, a WWI momorial. It was neat to see the sight to see. On our way back to the Oregon side we stopped at a local fruit market. The fruit was good. Our next destination was Portland.
We arrived in Portland and headed downtown where our hotel is located. There isn't much to see downtown. It was a very business like atmosphere. We found a RiteAid and a subway open. Most stores were closed and it was only 7:00 PM. Don't get me started on the one way streets that end, unless you are driving a bus. Lets just say our stay in Portland was less than desirable.
The next day we went to the Rose garden. I love roses. This was the best point in the Portland experience. If you ever have to go to or are passing through Portland go to Washington park and see the roses.
The arrival to Lincoln City. I've got to shorten this some. So, here are the highlights. More details on family reunion trips will be hosted at http://roefamily.jaminman.com/. The website isn't up yet, but it will be by the end of the year. On with the highlights...
Facts about the reunion:
location = Devils Lake Park in Lincoln City, OR
Camping Syle = yurts
Time frame = Late July 2004
Activities:
- Visiting the Beach (water was very cold!)
- building sand castles
- Family Fued Game
- An everyone B-Day party. We celebrate everyone's birthday with one party.
- B-Day gift exchange (works like a white elephant, but with good gifts <= $20)
- Pictures
- Picture collage tradition
- Scavenger Hunt
Our trip home included a visit to Grandpa Roe's grave. I also got to see where Melissa worked before I met her.
Next we drove and drove until we got near the Califormia Oregon border. There we spent the night. We had another long day of driving on Saturday. This time we were a approx 100 miles north of LA. There we spent the night. The next morning before heading out we were informed that our tire was low. Actually it was flat. We spent a few hours waiting until the tire guy got into work. Since it took so long we skipped out on seeing the Reagan Library. Oh well! Instead we had another day of long driving. We finally made it back home around 8:00 pm. Sure glad I had a couple extra days to recover from the trip. As Porky Pig would say, "Ibbidy, Ibbidy, Ibbidy. That's All Folks!"
