Day-41 Homeward bound .. Oregon Trail

Bye .. Mountain Home, Idaho!     Thanks for having accommodations.     Just like you did for the Oregon Trail Pioneers.     I forgot to mention yesterday that while driving in those high altitudes of Wyoming it was 13-degrees!    Starting out this morning .. it was a 'balmy'  22 !!    Not quite Captiva-like.  :(

This last post needs a few driving and mural pics.  Clear skies for the first part of the drive into Eastern Oregon :

And, of course, we need some history information.

and, from an emigrant's (Esther Belle .. ) perspective :

another driving pic, looking towards the valley where Baker City is,    .. the Blue Mountains :

and, thankfully - TODAY!  .. the elevation sign I passed on the road today said ...4,193 feet      yaaayyyy!

Thought I'd take the Pendleton exit and explore.   Pendleton Round-Up  &  Pendleton Woolen Mills are what they're known for!     Here's an introductory history sign :

I drove by the Pendleton Round-Up arena.    Neat statue out front :            Let 'er Buck !
                                                                            the official battle cry of the Univ. of Wyoming athletics

Before this, emigrants had left the Snake River and started to head overland.    A ways ahead, they had to make a decision, either go over the mountains on a toll road or pay to be ferried down the Columbia River, this by the time they reached .. The Dalles, Oregon.     These murals are in The Dalles.

My return to the Columbia River Gorge signaled the end of my epic journey.    It's an area I know well.    I traveled this gorge for nine straight years, every Wednesday all year long for work, a 220 mile round trip calling on and delivering electrical products to customers.   I felt fortunate to spend so much time in this scenic wonder.

today's travel mileage :  474
FINAL  trip mileage   :  8,474

I hope you enjoyed my daily journal blog posts.   As many of you know, it wasn't me taking pictures of our family events over the last 45 years .. it was our beloved Mary.    She is the one who captured memories and special images.  It was she who made journal entries.  She's directing my eyes and hand. It's her humor and love that flows through me to you.

This was quite the grief journey for me.   I think I cried as many tears in these 41 days as I have since July 9, 2017.   My handkerchief in the car came in handy and allowed me to continue driving.    This was truly a "trail of tears".    So much time in the car, so many sights stirring up memories, these all allowed me to have private sob time.    The consoling reward at the end of most of these travel days was spending time with you, in person, or through the posts.

I wish to THANK all of my hosts.  You made this a special trip.  Your love and friendship helps me heal.  THANK YOU for the very comfortable beds and the delicious meals, and for sharing your pets with me!