At least, I think that's where I'm at...

For those of you who asked to be put on my e-mail list, this entry will show why I refuse to send e-mail updates. You can read it twice, or skim it, or look at the length and avoid it altogether -- it's up to you -- and I'm not spamming anyone's inbox. ;)

I finally got on the road yesterday around 4p after a benedictory prayer from my parents. In actual fact, I would have never gotten out the door without my dad's herculean efforts over the past month. Hopefully I'll sell a kazillion books and be able to buy him something commensurate with his efforts. Maybe a yacht.

Anyway, my parents in the rearview mirror, I headed out to Weiser for a par-tay with my Grandma and 3 sets of aunts and uncles that live in the area. We had quite the fiesta so I didn't rise until after 9 this morning. Grandma made me waffles and coffee and I headed out around 12:30. Those of you who scoffed that my first stop was an hour away will definitely mock my second stop...4 miles from Grandma's house at my aunt and uncle's. I meant to say a 5 minute hello and ended up staying and chatting for an hour and a half.

Finally I was really on the road and when I stopped to get gas in Ontario I got my first "what the heck" question about the huge signage. I chatted with the attendant while he cleaned my windows and then roared out on Highway 26 with the idea of making it somewhere near John Day, about 130 miles distant.

For the person who shall remain nameless who was so interested in my altimeter on Sunday, I went over two peaks over 5,000 feet and a couple for 4,000 and change. It was a slow drive, but thankfully I wasn't in any tearing hurry. I thought about stopping at a couple lovely national parks, but as there was no cell service and I hadn't connected with anyone since that morning I thought I might be causing undue alarm in certain quarters.

I stopped at one lovely spot that was a "viewing" area -- nearly didn't stop as I was barreling down the hill and my brakes smelled just a tad when I got out from trying to make the stop -- and there was a couple there who asked about the signage.

When I reached John Day I pulled into the grocery store, asked a clerk about RV parks, and ended up at this lovely state park about 5 miles from there. I'm still on Highway 26 as far as I know and this spot has electrical hookups, spotty but occasionally there internet and a lovely river with a nice path beside it. The third signage question of the day was more of an actual conversation with the campers next door while I was outside eating the chili mom made me. Sadly, my record is 3 questions, no sales. I think I need to work on my pitch.

Well, the internet was good enough to connect and let me start writing this, but ever since I haven't been able to reconnect. I'll probably get this whole thing written and then have no way to upload it. Oh well. I took some video but I'm not sure I can get it up with this connection. Maybe tomorrow.