We visited with The Appel's after we left The Smith's home. We had so much fun with Marty & couldn't wait to see what was next for us. WOW! We felt like Royalty we got to go to Disneyland.

The Stanley's visit The Appel's - slideshow

Second Day on the Road

Baker City, OR to Laramie, WY

Tuesday July 17th, 2012

We left at 4:30 in the morning because our first leg of the trip was 809 miles.  But since we crossed into mountain time, it was really 5:30 am. Below are

State #3 - Idaho - Best known for potatoes!

We stopped right over the border to check out the Snake River.

Marty & us by the Snake River

The highway we started on was I-84.

Coming up on the Rocky Mountains in Utah

(we fell asleep coming across the Utah border).

Going over the Continental Divide on top of the Rocky Mountains in WY.



First Day On The Road

Going from Vancouver, WA to Baker City, OR

Monday July 16th, 2012

We left this afternoon to go to Baker City, OR. On the way we saw some neat things along the way. 

Here we are going toward Mt Hood.  This is the tallest peak in Oregon at 11,250 ft.

This is the beginning of Columbia River Gorge. 

Lewis & Clark came along this route on their way out West.

Overlooking the mighty Columbia River in to the Columbia Gorge.

Going over Bridge of the Gods from Washington to Oregon.

Wind power is pretty popular in the Pacific NW and with the winds in the gorge, it works very well.

Are we going into that storm?  Yikes!!

Our First Adventure in Washington State

Friday, July 13th, 2012

We thought, since this all started because of going to a library, it would be fitting this would be our first stop here in Vancouver, WA.  Their library is in the midst of a forest & even thou it has been very warm since we got here, everything is still very green.  I guess that is why they call it the Evergreen State! 



Can we help?

Marty needed to return his books so we helped him accomplish this task.  We also went along with them on some basic errands around town but enjoyed the van ride as Marty and his older brother tested out their new DVD car player (they watched A Pup Named Scooby Doo).  We are going to try to get a picture with Mt. St. Helens before we head East on Monday.  It was very hazy today so we have only seen just a little glimpse of it.



Marty with us outside Cascade Park Community Library in Vancouver, WA.

Fun Facts about Washington State

Chayton & I  wondered through the World Wide Web & came up with a few interesting fun facts about Washington State.


State Capital -- Olympia
State Bird -- Willow Goldfinch
State Tree -- Western Hemlock
State Flower -- Coast Rhododendron 
State Fish -- Steelhead Trout
State Dance -- Square Dance
State Fruit -- Apple
State Vegetable -- Walla Walla Sweet Onion


Chayton's favorite fact is that Washington has 5 major volcanoes as part of the Cascade Range. Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens.




Washington is the only State to be names after a President.
It is America's coffee capital, with more coffee bean roasters per capita than any other state. (this was my fave fact).
Fathers Day was founded in Washington in 1910.
Washington is the 42nd State in the Union.
Washington produces more than 70% of the nations hops, used to brew beer. Co-incidentally, to overcome beer breath, the majority of the nation's mint is also grown in Washington. (another fave of mine)

1889	Statehood - The Date that Washington was admitted to the Union - November 11, 1889. Constitution - Washington was the 42nd State to be admitted to the Union. State Motto - " Alki " the State Motto is translated as " Bye and Bye ".

*http://www.del.wa.gov/kids/wafunfacts.aspx   
*http://www.valleybugler.com/2009/05/23-fun-facts-about-washington-state/
*http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/american-timelines/47-washington-history-timeline.htm

A Little Bit About the "Kids"

Flat Stanley Faves --

Favorite Color -- Orange

Favorite Subject in school -- Math

Favorite Sport to play -- Soccer

Favorite Sport to watch -- Baseball

Favorite Sport Team -- New York Yankee's

Favorite Thing to do -- Play with Lego's

Favorite TV Show -- Ninjago

Favorite Movie -- Lego Star Wars

Favorite Snack -- Cheese Nips

Favorite Food -- Pizza

Princess Stephanie's Faves

Favorite Color -- Yellow

Favorite Thing to do -- Crafts

Favorite TV Show -- Doc McStuffins

Favorite Snack -- Cheese Nips

Favorite Food -- Apples

And their off......

The "kids" departed here yesterday & are on their way to Washington State to take a cross country road trip with Amy Smith & her family. We can't wait to see pictures & hear about their adventures. I hope they behave themselves & didn't pick up any bad habits from Chayton & Cailyn before they left here.