Twisp of Fate

I am home again – arrived here Friday late afternoon, 2800+ miles and 5 days of driving later.  We saw a lot of beautiful country – it was like watching a slowly unfolding movie as we passed from state to state.

We had one layover day in Lancaster, PA before picking up the car and heading west.  We were staying at a lovely B&B in Lancaster, the King’s Cottage B&B.  Our hostesses were welcoming and informative, the breakfasts were healthy yet gourmet quality – in all, “elegant but casual” as advertised.  Also a big “shout out” to Janis and Ann – I lost an earring but didn’t realize it until almost home, and they found it and are sending it to me!

We had a loaner car from the dealership so were able to explore the surrounding countryside that Sunday.  It being Sunday, most businesses were closed, including Amish crafts etc.  But we still enjoyed the sights and the lovely countryside.

On Monday morning we picked up the car and headed for the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Actually, we followed the turnpike through multiple states until hitting I-90 west of Chicago the next day.

We spent the first night near Lake Pokagon in Angola, IN.  There is a wonderful state park at the lake, with historic Potawotami Inn on the park grounds.  We took the time for a walk there in the morning before driving again – the Inn would be worth a visit, or at least dinner, sometime in future.

The second night we spent with a friend in La Crosse, WI.  She got a spin in the car, of course!

The third day was our longest one – we drove up along the west side of the Mississippi River, which was quite lovely and reminded me a little of the drive along the Columbia River Gorge.   Skirted Minneapolis/St Paul and then got onto I-94 to head across Minnesota and North Dakota.  Neither of us had been in North Dakota before.  It was flat, but a lot greener than I expected, with farm lands and pockets of trees.  We saw huge crops of sunflowers there.  Made it almost to the North Dakota/Montana border and spent the night in Dickinson, ND.

On day four we drove into Montana and spent the night in Butte, MT.  We had hoped to see a lot of mountain scenery, but because of multiple wildfires it was all grey and smoggy and you could hardly make out anything in the near distance, much less the far distance!  The roads were more fun to drive, though (and yes, we were behaving ourselves speed-limit-wise).  We had a fabulous and inexpensive Montana beef steak dinner that night in Butte.

Day 5, Friday, it was on to Idaho and Spokane, WA and the air quality did clear up and allow us to enjoy the mountain scenery a little better.  From Spokane, the most direct route to the Methow Valley follows smaller state highways, which were a lot of fun to drive with little traffic (still being good about speed!) with ups and downs and curves.  That Porsche has plenty of power, and really hugs the road.  Because of the time zone change, we made it here by 4:30 and had time to wash the car and enjoy a salmon dinner that Rick was ready to cook for us.  Sweet!

Here is a parting shot from Saturday morning, as my friend headed off on her last leg of driving to the Seattle area, over the gorgeous North Cascades Hwy (Hwy 20 from Winthrop in the Methow Valley).

Also this weekend was the second annual Feast of Field & Stream, a fundraising dinner for Trout Unlimited/ Washington Water Project that honors area farmers who have earned their “Salmon Safe” certification for their farming and water management practices.  As with last year, it was a fabulous meal using locally sourced food & wine.  We met friends there and had a perfect early-autumn evening with the moon still almost full.