The drive from Idaho Falls to Portland yesterday went well. We woke up at 4am and were on the road by 4.20. We left so early so we could sock away a good heap of driving while the girls slept in the car. It worked really well. Magdalena didn't get seriously antsy until about noon, and of course her breakdown started in one of those areas where blue signs proclaim "No services for next 520 miles."
Well, not really 520 miles, but something like 30 anyway. We ended up pulling off at the Arlington, Oregon exit, in the Columbia Gorge. I never would have stopped there of my own accord but our fussing 2-year-old forced our hand. But guess what? The Arlington exit is like I-84's best kept secret! There was a gas station located right across the street from a small park with a nice play structure, which in turn was located right on the banks of the Columbia River. There were bathrooms and wide expanses of grass and a place to get snacks and everything. It was everything you could ask for in a road trip rest stop.
Of course, such an enticing park did set back our ETA about 45 minutes, but when you're traveling with kids, sometimes you have to make concessions. (Another concession was letting Miriam play on the playground in her pajamas.) (And barefoot.)
What we forgot to do at the magical rest stop of dreams was refill our water bottles. Thus it was that 10 minutes down the road, both girls got thirsty and the only thing we had to offer them were sips of a single can of Pepsi Throwback. The last 110 minutes of the drive were really...intense.
Now we're getting settled in Portland, just in time to head out and climb Mt. St. Helens tomorrow. Bring it on.
Well, not really 520 miles, but something like 30 anyway. We ended up pulling off at the Arlington, Oregon exit, in the Columbia Gorge. I never would have stopped there of my own accord but our fussing 2-year-old forced our hand. But guess what? The Arlington exit is like I-84's best kept secret! There was a gas station located right across the street from a small park with a nice play structure, which in turn was located right on the banks of the Columbia River. There were bathrooms and wide expanses of grass and a place to get snacks and everything. It was everything you could ask for in a road trip rest stop.
What we forgot to do at the magical rest stop of dreams was refill our water bottles. Thus it was that 10 minutes down the road, both girls got thirsty and the only thing we had to offer them were sips of a single can of Pepsi Throwback. The last 110 minutes of the drive were really...intense.
Now we're getting settled in Portland, just in time to head out and climb Mt. St. Helens tomorrow. Bring it on.