We started talking about this trip 2 years ago but finally got serious about it in January of 2006. Mom is retired, Becky can go in between houses that they buy, fix up and resell and I was getting my first vacation from a new job. We decided to go in May before the big tourist season started.

Sunday, May 14, 2006 - Mother's Day

Shannon, Troy and family took all of us out to eat last night for Mother's Day. Dad made sure Mom brought yellow rose corsages for all of us to wear (even one we were to take along for Becky the next day). We did make quite a hit with those flowers on the flight. Everyone noticed them and commented on them, one flight attendant even wished every mom on board a Happy Mother's Day on the intercom because of them. Dad did good!!!

It was raining as Howard drove us to the Milwaukee airport. We left on time and landed in Denver, CO. Then we boarded the next plane and had to sit on the runway because of a "fiber optic" problem. We were a half hour late leaving. We landed in Spokane, WA where Becky picked us up. Weather was beautiful.

We took Hwy 395 south towards Oregon, laughing and talking non-stop like we usually do when we're together. Becky told us she would stop anytime we needed to. Mom thought that was great and said there was a place coming up that would work fine. Becky just kept right on driving. - - So we had to start harassing her - why say you're going to stop if you really aren't going to. She apologized and said she didn't know Mom meant right now! Of course now there seems to be no other place to stop. Finally (as we've all got our legs crossed) we saw an exit for Ritzville and Becky did pull into that gas station. We were able to gas up and use the restroom. In Kennewick we picked up Hwy 82 into Oregon.

We drove west along the Columbia River. We stopped again in Arlington and took pictures of a park along the river. Becky even used the timer on her camera (I haven't figured mine out yet), set in on a garbage can and took one of the 3 of us that didn't turn out too bad. It is now lovingly referred to as the 'Garbage Can Photo.' We continued on to The Dalles, OR and got a room at a Super 8. We ate that night at a Cousin's Family Restaurant. Excellent food - with Becky and I both trying to follow Weight Watcher's we could encourage each other to make good choices. (Let's see how long this lasts.)

We got back to the room at 9:00 p.m. Becky brought earplugs along. Mom brought along those nasal breath right strips hoping to give everyone a break. I was sleeping with her and she kept her back to me all night and we all slept great!