Day 19 - Homeward Bound
This morning we packed up, bidding adieu to Jordan and Portland with her. The time has come to launch our journey back to the East.
I don’t know if I’ve stated it yet, but the novelty of interstate driving is wearing off. Today was spent largely, if not entirely in the car making our way toward Yellowstone National Park. It’s a hefty drive consisting of over 13 hours. We broke it up with a couple stops. We dropped off Last Chance Harvey. We got an oil change (much needed). And, of course, we refueled when necessary.
Sighting of the Day: Bald Eagle perched in a tree near the interstate (Don’t listen to what Faro and Sipe tell you, I really saw it!)
Idaho has some pleasant landscapes that assuage the monotony of a drive of such proportions as ours. At times large, angular mountains patrolled the side of the road. They were green and soft looking as if the whole chain was swathed in felt from a billiard’s table. At other times, it seemed that someone had split open these mountains revealing innards of crumbling rock, weathered from years of enduring the unshaded sun, the falling rain, and the blasting winds. Then far in the distance jagged, snow-sprinkled peaks ran parallel with the road like an ever-present guide shepherding our return home.
But when I wasn’t peeking out window, I had my nose buried in a book. I don’t normally read well in moving vehicles but these straight, flat roads proved rather facilitating of my endeavors. The toughest part of reading was trying to gain sufficient light. As the evening sun drew closer and closer to the horizon, its light streamed through the windows like a golden lamp. The trick was when we’d veer left or right I would have to track the light with my book. I place myself in some rather precarious positions while pursuing that precious light. I finally had to lay my book to rest for the night when a low-lying column of clouds consumed the sinking sun.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve supplied an update on our trip tallies. Pullovers have achieved a new high of 39. Road kill stands at a lofty 81. (It’s a shame we’ve been going without meat so often on this trip when God has so kindly provided sweet manna right under our noses….and tires.) We can only hope to hit the 100 mark before the trip’s conclusion. So send a hopeful wish our way that animals keep throwing themselves sacrificially before cars.
With three bodies and only two beds, we had a predicament entering our hotel room at the Snow Lodge. Thus, we competed head-to-head-to-head in a coin-flipping contest. I quickly lost when I called “heads” and it landed on “tails.” However, Sipe and Faro entered into a long stalemate in what was reminiscent of a WWI nobody-budge trench warfare setup. At long last, though, Faro won the battle and the single bed.
- JD and the boys