We left home this morning at about 5:30 a.m. We stopped at the Ghingo State Park which showed all kinds of petrified grees. From there we went to the Ghingo Museum and saw some Indian writings on rocks. We then headed to Grand Coulee Dam, passing on the way Sun Lake and Dry Falls State state parks. Dry Falls is where in prehistoric times there was a large water fall of the Columbia River.
Eventually we reached Grand Coulee Dam, the biggest dam in the world. It was really a breathtaking sight. I remember Dad remarking about how fast it would take for a man to be split into "itty-bitty pieces" if he fell over the spillway. He also remarked on how deep the water was going over the top, and not being satisfied with that we went on to the top of the dam to see.
The Grand Coulee Dam in 1967
When we reached the top, Dad began to fool around, pretending that he was going to jump off. As mother grabbed him, his sun glasses (Father's Day 1967, $3.98) fell over the dam, never to be seen again!
Our next stop was Couer d'Alene, Idaho where we ate dinner in the City Park and slept in a very noisy motel right by the lake.
Augusut 19, 2006
Ruby had worked the night before, but nonetheless drug herself out of bed in time to finish packing a few things, slip down her breakfast and be ready when Mungo and Myrtle pulled up in front of her cottage a 6 a.m. The first stop was Olo and Mereyann's flat, where Baby Rube and Bramblerose were waiting as well. By 9 a.m. they were off in a caravan of two ... looking forward so much to the adventure they had set before them.
They passed the Gingho Petrified forest, but Ruby remembered being disappointed by the fact that there were pieces of petrified wood there, but no real stone trees, like she had imagined.
They opted not to stop there this time.
After a lovely lunch at a rest stop among the corn fields, and a pretty monotonous drive, they reached Spokane.
Olo took them in to Spokane to the Davenport Hotel. It was restored to its original luster, a living, breathing antique. The entire family wandered where they could, sat in funiture, gazed at glorious ballrooms wandered the hallways with pictures of its famous former guests from the past. "I have never been in a rest room that nice!" exclaimed Olo.
Olo, Baby Rube and Bramblerose enjoying one of the beautifully restored ballrooms
At approximately 3 p.m. the travelers had reached the end of the first of their leg of the journey, Coeur d'ALene. They easily found their hotel through the help of their cell phones and text messaging and quickly settled in. Mungo and Olo had decided to go buy a new tire. That left the rest of the women to browse the quaint little town. Each corner had a fountain of some type. The stores were very fun, lots of galleries. The ladies window shopped. Ruby spied a dress that would be perfect for her cruise she is planning. Mereyann encouraged her to try it on, but Ruby refused... now the dress lives on in Ruby's dreams, and she wishes she had tried it on. They visited a wonderful toy shop, not at all like Toys R Us, They wished there were babies in their family to buy toys for, as they all looked at Mereyann.
There was a wooden boat festival down on the lake, so the ladies took a foot tour on the board walk and enjoyed all of the old-fashioned boats that were on display.
A wooden boat on Couer d'Alene Lake
After the men rejoined the group, they found a nice italian restaurant in which to eat dinner. It was a popular spot and a wait was required. But the restaurant was in a little mall with lots interesting things to look at, so they didn't mind the wait. Finally they were brought to a table that was covered with newsprint as a table cloth. Each table was provided with crayons. The entire family started thier individual works of art as they waited for their meals to arrive.
It was late when they got back to their hotel. "I'm totally beat, and I am turning in." said Ruby. Mungo was of a like mind. The rest stayed up and played games until late.
Everyone had a great day.
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