The Trip Is Going Well

View of Mt. St. Helens on the way to Seattle (Long way round)

Classroom in Damascus Textile Arts

Damascus Center

The Damascus Textile Center

Dear Ones,  I've been at remote locations or out of wifi range for the last few days. Sorry not to have reported in. The Larochette book presentations have been going very well and I've encountered wonderful old friends at almost every site. Saw Dora Green and Mary Zicafoose in Seattle yesterday as well as other friends. Lolli, Michael Rhode says he'll come up and help us with the fine points on the Bexel Crangrook loom.

I haven't been posting during the trip yet. Too far off the grid so far each night. And there have been long days of driving so it just hasn't happened. But I have been hand writing a short journal each day to keep track of the essentials. I'll try to transfer that to the blog as soon as possible.

We left Seattle late yesterday afternoon and camped out in a remote forest along a deeply rutted road with some of the worst potholes I've ever crossed with the poor Rialta. I'm sure it was cussing at me during that one. We made our way safely out of there this morning and returned to Highway 90 in Washington. We're headed for Moscow, Idaho now. Currently stopped and a sparse and very windy location just off of 90. I think that tomorrow we'll break off of this highway and join Highway 26 which ends up near Pullman. Moscow is really just on the other side of the Washington — Idaho border. Eastern Washington is quite like I thought it would be from the descriptions I've read. Went right through the Winachee (sp) area and thought of the various descriptions of that region by Sherman Alexi. His words seemed to be full of truth.

Where we are staying tonight is sparse and very windy. A few trees become an important part of the scene. Bobby was free to run yesterday evening because it was so remote. This afternoon I've let him have a few little runs. He's really very good about returning with my call. Good little traveler.

The book tour is going very well. Lots of books sold and lots of old friendships rekindled. We had a gorgeous lunch with Kathy and Danny in Trinidad and then stayed in  a no service part of Patrick's Point campground. Took a lovely hike along the cliffs. Sea was wild and exciting.

This wifi connection is from my phone hot spot. But the service it connects to is the slowest I've ever experienced. It took me five minutes to download one email. So I'll bring this to a close with a promise to attempt getting some pictures posted soon. I suspect I'll be able to catch up in the Moscow area.  Just want all to know that we're having fun exploring along the way and in fact had a fantastic view of the south side of Mount St. Helens Saturday as we wound our LONG way from Damascus, Oregon to Seattle.

Love to all,   Jackie