WESTERN JOURNEY--SEPTEMBER, 2011--DAYS 6 & 7

Afton, Wyoming through Montpelier, Idaho to Salt Lake City, Utah--September 12th, 2011

Our route today took us through parts of Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah. Our first stop, after driving through the mountains, was in Montpelier, Idaho, where we planned to have breakfast.

When we couldn't find a restaurant, we stopped at an outfitters' shop where Dick asked an older gentleman for suggestions. Although he lives in the town, he couldn't think of a place we could have breakfast! Finally he suggested that we go back on a different road for about three miles, and there would be a restaurant called, Ranch Hand. Since there were no towns ahead on our route, we drove back to the place he had recommended. It was in the middle of nowhere, but it was a great restaurant with scrumptious food!

You'll be forgiven for doing a double take at the name of this small town in Idaho...Montpelier. You probably think it belongs in Vermont. There actually is a connection. Vermont is the state where Brigham Young was born, and he's the one who christened it with the name Montpelier. One claim to fame is that the town is the site of a bank heist by the notorious Butch Cassidy.

Finding a roadhouse or a trailstop like the Ranch Hand is a rare treat. You really do expect to find authentic wranglers swapping tales over steaming hot cups of coffee.

Today was spent driving over mountains and down to the valleys, past ranches with horses or cattle, alongside acres of sagebrush and finally on a very busy interstate through more mountains to Salt Lake City. Tonight we are staying near the Salt Lake City airport and will fly out to Portland in the morning!

Salt Lake City to Portland, Oregon 

September 13th, 2011

This morning we flew from Salt Lake City over much of Idaho and Oregon, before landing in Portland. We got one more good look at the Great Salt Lake as we took off from there.

Once we arrived in Portland, it was wonderful to be with Maia once again! This was our first chance to meet Maia's newest arrival, a dog named Biscuit. She has lots of energy and loves to chase other dogs when let off the leash. We were told that the dog park, adjacent to Maia's apartment, is considered one of the best dog parks in Portland.

Judy and Maia on the first day of our Portland visit.

Dick, Biscuit and Maia.