Vacation plans and no-rain demons
We're due to arrive in Seattle on July 4th. According to this distant forecast that's just when the rain stops. Interesting ...
We leave tomorrow. i'll work until 3pm. First stop is Flagstaff where we'll spend the night. We'll drive there via Sedona for a scenic drive up. Maybe have dinner in Sedona too or this pizza place in Flagstaff we've heard many rave out before.
Next day we'll drive roughly North. Destination for the night is Park City, Utah. That's where Dumb and Dumber were filmed to give an idea of what the place looks like. Again we'll be taking a more scenic route via 89a. We might hang out in Salt Lake City in hopes of getting an iPhone which the Smooch would really like to get the first day out. We'll just have to see if we get lucky there.
Third day we'll drive through Cache Valley. Sample some cheese and other products made in that area. Drive through Preston, Idaho where Napolean Dynamite was filmed then join the main highway 15 North to Helena, Montana for the night. i'm hoping to hit a bookstore there in hopes of finding some Native American books on legends, myths, or tales on the Blackfoot/Blackfeet. Their area is just to the North. We'll actually pass through a town called Blackfoot (a potato capital according to coworker Nathan who was born and grew up in that town) but is only named for the lava flow in the area. The Kalispell is just to the NorthWest. All these Peakish names.
Then a big stop/destination is Sandpoint, Idaho. The Smooch and i are not only on vacation but also driving up a few things for the family (their van with: their dog, some IKEA furniture, and other items of theirs) the Smooch is currently contracted for as a personal chef. They asked if we could do this for them and we agreed. Makes for a great vacation. Her clients have 3 homes up there and will be celebrating with family for the 4th of July. The Smooch also has to prepare a few meals for the family for out two night stay there.
July 3rd we will get a ride to Spokane, Washington. Where we'll rent a car and head to dreamland, Snoqualmie, Washington. Yep, the town of Twin Peaks. We're staying at the Great Northern, er ... the Salish Lodge. Annnddddd staying in room 315. i know it's not thee room Cooper was in (was staged) but it's the number in the very place and that's what i want! Woo-hoo! i'll get to actually step foot in the Double R Diner, er ... Twede's Cafe. And of course as many other of the sights as possible.
July 4th we'll head to Seattle (shortest length of travel on our trip.) Where we'll be staying very close to Pike Place Market. We'll be staying in Seattle for four nights.
Next comes Astoria, Oregon and Cannon Beach, Oregon. Filming locations for Goonies. Arrr, fer a bit o' piracy! We'll be staying a beautiful place, the Stephanie Inn, facing Haystack Rock (used as part of the clue to finding One-Eyed Willie's gold) in Cannon Beach.
Second to last day is spent heading to Portland, Oregon. We'll drive through Tillamook, Oregon on the way. Again, we'll be sampling cheese. This trip really is about food after all even if i seem to be naming off lots of movie and tv filming spots.
From Portland we'll get a plane ride home. It sure it will be rough heading from what was such a nice, cool weather trip back to hellish heat. At least the return of monsoon will make things interesting.
i'm sure we'll run into rain somewhere on the trip. Four nights in Seattle without rain? i dare it to try. Looks like we'll head into rain in Helena, Montana and i'm sure Oregon will have some rain for us.
Lots of packing and other prepping to do tonight.