Breakfast with Tiffany

As we entered Oregon on I-205, the sun glowed a strange red from the wildfire smoke. It was so thick you could pretty much look at it. I think we determined that you're not really supposed to, though. We stopped by Boardman for gas it was the first time actually out in the air. It was pretty unhealthy.

Bryan drove through eastern Oregon while I rode shotgun. I've been through there on I-84 a few times but for some reason, I didn't really remember how curvy it is. Coming through at night is interesting. Fortunately, Oregon has great freeways and they were in great shape. We crossed into Mountain time while still in Oregon but it wasn't long before were in Idaho.

The first thing you notice when entering Idaho is the speed. Oregon has always resisted higher speed limits and only reluctantly increased to 70 in the rural areas the past few years. Idaho welcomes you with 80 mph. That makes for ticking off miles at a good clip. At least, that's how they start you out. Boise and they surrounding areas have had tremendous growth the past twenty years and it wasn't long before we encountered construction. That 80 dropped to 55. I should say there wasn't any work happening but there was slower speeds and lane reductions.

In Nampa, Idaho, we met up with someone we worked with years ago in theater. Because of the nature of plays, you end up getting to know people of all ages, younger and older. Tiffany was just a teenager when she acted alongside us in several Driftwood shows. Truth be told, I think she preferred to spend more time hanging out with the adults than the other teenagers, though. Since then, she has become an actual adult, moving for a few opportunities and just recently settling into the Boise area.

I had let Tiffany know that "we" would be passing through on a road trip and it would be great to catch up over breakfast. On arriving, I pointed out that I hadn't really defined who "we" were. Then she noticed Jason and Bryan behind me. She seemed genuinely happy and surprised. Her husband wasn't able to join (yeah, husband, she's really a full adult these days) as he's been putting in long hours for lineman school.

We had a nice breakfast (okay, the restaurant wasn't great but it was open) and caught up a bit. We were a bit tired but it was still nice. We teased her a bit about not having been back to Grays Harbor at all since leaving. Truth be told, though, I don't blame her. Her parents don't live on the Harbor anymore and there really isn't a lot of reason for her to come down. I don't go back to where I went to school very often and it's always strange.

We struggled with lighting for a photo and it really shows. But we got to visit and that was the important part. I really wish for a happy future for Tiffany and Jacob (her husband has a name and everything). She seems happy, which is wonderful.

We continued on across Idaho and I would elaborate on its remarkableness but it was Idaho. It was smoky, there was a lot of construction that wasn't actually being worked on, and rolling farmland.

The theme continued into Utah, except the roads were a little nicer and there wasn't quite as much construction. Stopping at Maverik station, we needed to put the sunglasses on. By now, on the north edges of the SLC area (I'm sure it has fancy name like Milk & Honey Valley or something), we could see mountains to the east. Real mountains. I-84 continues into those passing through some real beautiful landscapes. We made to the end of 84, having driven its entire length, except the first 9 miles back in Portland.

We joined I-80 shortly before entering Wyoming. This is my first time in Wyoming, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought it would be like a big mountain pass and that really hasn't been the experience. It's a lot more like Nevada or even Arizona or dare I say it, California. You can see for miles and miles across rolling hills and buttes. So many buttes. Scrubland that is mostly grasses.

We got gas at Little America, which is a big gas station, hotel and souvenir shop. I would have maybe got souvenirs but there was a lot of people and I didn't want to be around a lot of people. You wouldn't think that would be a problem in Wyoming. Roadwise, Wyoming has a lot of construction. It may not be a populous state but there is a ton of traffic coming across. The air has cleared up and we are past the smoke.

We've stopped in Laramie for the night, exhausted from a LOT of driving. The elevation changes haven't helped, either. Laramie sits at 7,165' and I can feel it. I don't do well with pressure changes and there has been a lot. I'm doing okay but looking forward to settling into some flatter land. I passed out before 8:00. Good thing, as I'm excited for this next leg of the trip.