TRAVEL DAY-MT HOOD-August 20

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009
Up early. Loaded van. Took video of the Landscaped of the HOUSE OF JUDITH with Judith doing the tour of her garden and identifying her plants.

Breakfast over..Called and sang Happy Birthday to Mary(sister) 85 years old then..good byes.....and we are on our way. Yellowstone National Park is about 820 miles away. That will take us about three days to get there. We only plan to do about 300 miles per day. Our first stop is Ritzville which is about 254 miles from here. That should take us about 5 hours...arrive there about 2-3 pm....

That was my plan. Wilma (hereafter referred to as THE NAVIGATOR) had other ideas. We took off and headed for HWY90 on HWY 5. THE NAVIGATOR said that if we see a Mt. Rainer sign.....turn and follow the directions to Mt. Rainer. So up HWY 5 to 90.....THE NAVIGATOR said that we should cross HWY 90. After 34 miles....I (hereafter referred to as "THE DRIVER" questioned THE NAVIGATOR who upon looking at her map realized that we should have turned off HWY 5 on to HWY 18 (about 7 miles back). So THE DRIVER, obediently crossed over to the other side and went back to HWY 18......THE DRIVER felt good...he was on a short cut to HWY 90 and to Ritzville. WRONG....WRONG...WRONG.....THE NAVIGATOR still wanted to see Mt. Rainer. 58 years ago we were there. THE NAVIGATOR wanted to see the Mt....and THE GIFT SHOP. THE DRIVER....obediently followed THE NAVIGATORS direction:

LOOKING FOR MT. RAINER

FOUND MT RAINER
With 4 maps on her lap, trip ticket, and magnifying tool, THE NAVIGATOR directed THE DRIVER in the direction he should go. Came to a Y. THE DRIVER sought direction, instructed by THE NAVIGATOR (help....help where am I going) to follow the paved road.....ended up at a ranger station who said that the Visitors Center THE NAVIGATOR was seeking was 2 1/2 hours around the other side and below. Decision time....

THE NAVIGATOR decided to leave Mt. Rainer and head for HWY 90. Stopped for lunch:

STOPPED FOR LUNCH
Just follow 169 until you see HWY 18.....THE DRIVER obediently followed.......Where is HWY 18 as we draw closer to HWY405 which is a bypass around Seattle. We had in affect drove all the way back to where we started in the morning. Oh for the days when Mary (my GPS) would tell me what to do. Turn here....recalculating route....approaching left turn....when possible make an legal u turn.......Oh to hear her voice......she is silent. I only have a picture of a map.....that does not make sense.....I must confess....I'm miss my MARY (my GPS)

Finally we are HWY90 and headed for RITZVILLE WA. Will try to make it by 6:30 pm 3 1/2 to 4 hours later than THE DRIVER HAD PLANNED.....But the scenery was good anyway. Take a Look:

THE ROAD TO RITZVILLE
FINALLY MADE IT TO RITZVILLE.... Stayed at this America Best Value Inn.
Moderate price (I'm Cheap) Decided after many nights at the Comfort Inn-Hampton Inn-Holiday Inn-Marriott Inn.....I thought I better start staying a a BEST Value INN...Really not bad
What should have been an 4-5 hour trip became a 8 -9 hour trip.
OH WHEN WILL MARY (MY GPS) COME BACK TO LIFE?