Day one

Fabulous first day on the road. Beautiful drive down highway 47, through Forest Grove, Gaston, and all the beautiful country side between , until we hit Hwy 99 west. As we approached Salems' River Front Park, we saw a feild of flags. Curious, we stopped to find a memorial honoring the fallen from 9/11, and the local military persons who had served in the war after that day. It was quite well done, really making it easy to comprehend the loss we suffered. We wandered around for a while, remembering, like so many others. We also peeked at the river boat and indoor carousel, and I was able to get a few postcards for my Postcrossing habit. Driving through Salem, we picked up Hwy 22, continuing southeast toward Bend and Sisters. The farther we went, the smokier it became. It made us a little nervous to see all the cars heading the other way, so we wisely stopped at the Detroit Ranger Station to chat up the employees about the fires, where they were and if we need worry. Of course, I added to my map collection, and have been amusing myself ever since by finding little treasures on them. For instance, did you know the Devils Garden is right next to Christmas Lake? neither did I! There are cool back roads, campgrounds and trail heads everywhere we looked on the maps. We kinda wanted to get to Crater Lake, but I seriously don't think we are going to make it. There is so much to see!

Shorty after Detroit, we pulled into Whispering falls to set up camp. Truthfully, I see no falls, and there is no whispering, so I am not sure what is up with that name, but whatever.
However, the cars are quite loud, and if our site was any closer to the road, we'd be road kill. But we have a beautiful fire, over which we roasted the worlds largest marsh mallows and I have thuroughly killed Dad in several games of dominos, and teased him mecilessly about making such brilliant comments like "When I put my head in a bag of vinegar chips and breathe in deeply, it about gags me" and "I'll poop tomorrow." Those last statement make me excited as to see what tomorrow will bring in words of wisdom. For now, I am amusing myself with the typing noise my little Android is making. Dads thinks he is hearing squirrels. Hehehe!

PS: Dad was able to get me to stick my head into the bag of vinegar chips and inhale deeply. I have no idea how he came up with the idea to do this in the first place, but he was right. Man, does it make you nose close and your eyes burn! My doing this proves we are related, and share the "mentally challenged" Hoffmann gene. I want to point out, however, that I am a good daughter; I obey my parent even when I don' t understand my parent. So, I am thinking that kinda balances the ' weird' factor out. Shut up.