We had a hard time saying good-bye to Mrs. Ohs the next morning.
Especially Mary Aplin 🙁
You could never ask for a more loving, giving, interested, and up-for-whatever hostess!
We also had a hard time knowing it was the last day of our idyllic journey. We originally planned to stop in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, but Jeremiah and I had decided that we’d exasperated our funds and it was time to make the last 600-something mile trek to Seattle. We all had a little bit of the depressies as we turned onto I-90 West. Even Jeremiah, who had vowed we’d make the trip in a week said, “I can’t stand knowing it’s over.”
Dr. Maddox (Jeremiah’s Dad) called around that time to tell us that one of his partners had said we COULD NOT miss stopping to see the glacial lake in Coeur d’Alene…or eating at one of the top five steak restaurants in the country. We thanked him for the suggestion and said we’d talk about it…but it was a short talk. About that time we literally almost ran out of gas.
We sputtered into a miraculous gas station–that our GPS system hadn’t picked up and we’d already been talking about the logistics of the two of us pushing a car with a U-haul up the steep mountain roads…could Pace steer :)?!–when Dr. Maddox called us back. He said, “I hope I’m not over-stepping any lines, but I can’t stand for your trip to be over either. I’ve booked you a room in Coeur d’Alene…all you have to do is call and confirm if you decide to stay.”
I wish you could have felt the lift that happened in our car. ANOTHER DAY!!! IT WASN’T OVER!!!! We travelled into Idaho on pure joy. I’d like to say now that I was totally wrong in my picture of Idaho. I’ve always thought of it as sort of a flat, arid place. Jeremiah asked me why and I laughingly realized that I think it’s because…of how dusty Idaho potatoes are. Bahhahahaa. My mind is bizarre! I think Jeremiah described Idaho (or at least the skinny, northern part of the state where we were) best, “It’s like in Montana, all the mountains are spread out and then you get into this little narrow part of Idaho, and it seems like all the mountains got squished together–just like the state.” It’s true! You feel like the steep mountains are jam-packed on top of each other. Fighting for their ground, their height, their streams–beautiful!
Then we got to Coeur d’Alene. Man, did we get there. A lake formed 2,000 feet in the air by a melting glacier. The water is a deep, cold blue and the mountains surrounding the lake are covered in evergreen trees.
And our hotel room was such a GIFT! I don’t think I’ve ever stayed anywhere this nice (except maybe on our honeymoon), and I jumped up and down and squealed (along with the girls–who were excited at the excuse to act crazy like their Mommy and Jeremiah who watched us and grinned from ear to ear) for a solid five minutes straight.
The view (and those blinds closed with a remote control. imagine the delight for the girls :)):
And if you came in the winter-time, there was even a fireplace.
We wallowed in the lap of luxury!
And were so very thankful to Popon and Moogie who gave us such a dream night.
Abby, what a gift! I have loved reading about your journey to Seattle. I can't wait to see what it's like when y'all get there. Please update this frequently once in Seattle! I have never been to that part of the country and look forward to hearing about it through your eyes!
my heart swelled with joy for you about your vacation extension. i really understand… my prayer for you is that everything transition so smoothly in the coming weeks. i'm looking forward to hearing all about it.
Abby, that is amazing!!! All of your pictures are just absolutely breathtaking. I love reading through your trek out west and am excited for all that is ahead for your family! What a blessing from the Lord.
Such beautiful pictures! And what a gift to be able to stay in an amazing place for your last night. I thought the same thing the first time I went through northern Idaho (my husband & I took our motorcycles down the West Coast). I was completely surprised. Gorgeous. Thank you for posting the travel updates so I can continue to pray for you!
Oh my goodness, I love it all! So very glad you got another night and that the fun wasn't over yet! We miss you guys… can't believe you're there! Please post an update everyday… 365 days of blog posts about your life in Seattle!?!
So glad y'all didn't miss Idaho either… I would've been sad to miss the gorgeous pictures!
Abby, This one truly, truly made me cry. What LOVE…Linda and Jay are such loving, loving, caring, kind people! Glory be to God for such people in this world!!!!! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy…The PIC's were sooo pretty! I am thrilled for this gift to Y'ALL!
I have so enjoyed your trip across country. Your pictures have been amazing and I've loved seeing God's creation in so many areas I've never visited. I had never envisioned Idaho as being so beautiful. What wonderful memories of this trip you'll carry forever! Wishing you a continued safe journey and can hardly wait to "see" Seattle!
ridiculously beautiful pictures?! between reading a book about the appalachian trial and your trip, i am ready pack up and head out! also glad you guys got one more day in idaho. what a sweet gift! hope you are getting "settled"…
Sun Valley, Idaho is one of my favorite places on earth. Looks like Coeur d'Alene is just as pretty!