Sunday, February 22/15 - More "Kodak Moments"

We woke early on Sunday - about 6:30 and it was COLD! The thermometer on the clock said the inside temp. was 43*F. and the dash said the outside was 26*F. For you youngsters and “Non-Americans” that is 6* and -3* Celsius! We quickly had the heat on and the stove making tea and coffee but it didn’t help much - it was still COLD!

It soon warmed up to 27*!

We were quickly on our way to get the cab heat going. We stopped in Madras at McDees for WiFi but because it was so cold I had’t typed the blog yet so it wasn’t posted! 

We caught up on emails and Facebook having a good chuckle over the fact that our friend Gloria’s daughter, Melissa had her baby girl, Evelyn, the night before and had called “HIM” Owen Gordon. We had learned this the hard way also, that there were no guarantees in life, with our “Grandson” Gwynnevere!

A Panorama standing in the middle of the two main streets of Shaniko

Once more we were on our way but soon had to stop for a “Kodak Moment”. We happened upon “Shaniko” an all but abandoned ghost town that had been preserved for all time. Although it was closed for the winter, we spent a very cold hour wandering around and taking photo’s. It was like we were lost in a time warp. I would love to come back in the summer when it is probably a bustling little town.

The side street

The end of Main Street

The other side of the street

Shaniko's "Paddy Wagon"

The sign says it all!

The other end of town

We continued on some more, soon crossing over the Columbia River from Oregon into Washington and immediately saw a sign “Stonehenge Memorial - 1/4 mile” so of course we had to stop.

The Columbia River dividing Oregon from Washington 

We are certainly world travellers on this trip. We have seen the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas, the London Bridge in Arizona and now Stonehenge in Washington! Another “Kodak Moment” and on our way again.

The Stonehenge Memorial - Washington State

Navion at Stonehenge - I believe that's Mt. Hood in the background
but I could be wrong.

As usual we took the “off the beaten track” road - I-97 all the way through Washington until it met the #2 just outside of Leavenworth, WA. We then took that west to the I-5 (YUCK!), stopping at one of our favourite spots for dinner on the way - 59’ER Diner in Coles Corner. We had hoped to stay in Seattle for a day or two before home - taking in Pike Place  and Beecher’s Cheese Factory (yummy Cheese),etc. but Dale had forgotten his Heart Specialist appointment 9:00 AM Monday, made a year ago. Kasey told us they called the week before to remind him when we finally got through to home. We decided to have a last “Hurrah” at Angel of the Winds before we ended our wonderful trip. We arrived there about 7:30 PM and I’m sure glad we did. We had $100. each left in spending money so we went to play Poker. Dale lost his quite quickly but I soon had mine up to $225. but when it dropped to $150. I cashed out.

Jackpot #1

They had taken away my favourite “Lil’ Doggie” machine so I tried out a couple more. No luck so we were just going to leave with my remaining $75. when a new one “Jumped Out” at me. In went the $75. and a big Yahoo!!! when I hit the jackpot! $485.50. Another cash out and with my remaining credits it was $567.84. We had to pass “My” machine on the way to the door so I decided to put in another $60. - you don’t really want those odd bills cluttering up your wallet now do you!?!? Knowing “My” machine had just paid big, the $60. went in the machine beside it. I had a few little "teasers" and then minutes later - JACKPOT BONUS again! $465.75 - Cash Out quick.

I tried it once more on a third machine with the “loose Bills” but it took it back so out the door we went. What a way to end our vacation!
We were quickly tucked up in a warm bed (they have hook-ups at “Angel”) - we would have to be up early to get home in time to make Dale’s 9:00 AM Dr’s appt.