On Top of Old Smokey

Yesterday we said farewell to John and Lisa AND Kethum (sniff) and headed northwest for the next part of our journey.  We overnighted in Stanley, but on the way there we came over the beloved Galena Pass and discovered that the jaw-dropping view was shrouded in smoke.

Not picturesque!

So what is a blog without pictures?  Not very interesting, I'm afraid, but neither Ben or I took any yesterday!  Grief, perhaps?  So I am cheating by pulling in images from the blogsphere.

We stayed in a darling, funky cabin room at the Sawtooth Hotel (sister to the Stanley Baking Co we know and love). The sun set in big red orb, thanks to the smoke. 

But well before that we drove over to historic Redfish Lodge for an amazing, gourmet dinner, much to our shock.  I mean we expected ordinary lodge food like a chicken dinner and instead I had trout with an Asian slaw and ponzu sauce and Ben had handmade pasta with wild mushrooms.  The scene out the front plate windows was all nostalgia, though.

The broad, green lawn was filled with families in camp chairs and spread on blankets enjoying the evening concert.  A cowboy singer strummed his guitar and crooned ballads.  Kids were everywhere, dancing in circles, being swung by the arms by older kids, or splashing in the lake. 

A group of pre-teens were balancing on an overloaded floating dock and repeatedly tilting and sinking it so they all fell off.

The spectacular view of the Sawtooths was muted by smoke, but here is what it looks like on a good day:

Thursday morning, bright and early, we were back to Stanley Baking Co. for a fresh cinnamon roll (me) andluscious plate-sized pancakes for Ben.

The scenic drive from Stanley towards Oregon was marred by heavy smoke and frustrating roadwork delays (I suppose this Caltrans retiree should not be so impatient!).

We made it to Boise and Yelp helped us find Bier, a German style gastro-pub.  We were alarmed that it was completely empty, but our faith in Yelp was rewarded by the fantastic food.  

I went way out on a limb and ordered Bahn Mi and Ben ordered Currywurst.  OMG.

Idaho rocks!  

Now on through two more fire complexes on our way to Eterprise, Oregon to see my brother Curt and his wife, Moe.

With fires behind and ahead of us, we enter beautiful Oregon country and just as we drive through Summerville, we spy a sign for cherries.

Tasty cherries, just picked, but sold by sour-faced people who say they hate cherries!  Truly, these were the first unfriendly folks we have met on this entire trip.

The last 50 miles to Curt and Moe's town of Enterprise was beautiful, but again I was not taking pictures.  Tomorrow's blog will have them!  We arrived to big hugs and Curt and Moe outfitted their second camper for us with flowers and a welcome basket filled with goodies.  

Here's our abode on the left.

They're living in an RV park until they can move into the house they bought in a few weeks.  

After a tour of the new (old) house (no pictures!), we headed to Terminal Gravity Brewery for dinner - it was just like a German Biergarten! happy families, groups of friends and kids wading in the stream.

Though they have only been in Enterprise since June, we were introduced to lots of nice people they have met at work.  We couldn't escape fires, as we could see one burning in the highest reaches on the mountain way above us.

That's Curt.  The vibe here is friendly and relaxed.  We can't wait to get to know it a little better tomorrow, and camera in hand!