Next day - on the Oregon Trail

Hi there,
Up bright and early this morning - no grumbles though. By 8.25am we were walking in the door at Buggy Barn in Reardan Wa. Gayle, I tried to text you but they have no coverage.

Pam and Janet are two very talented sisters that design fabrics and write books. Their country style goes from the barn/shop to their fabrics. What fabulous hostesses they were. We were treated to Show & Tell of many of the quilts that are shown in their books. In the barn/store the quilts are even hanging flat in the slopping ceiling. The fabric specials are in the bathroom!!

After that it was a long hour and a half drive to our first BIG treat. Crabapple Hill Designs. Meg Hawkey is the designer and the whole theme of the studio is gorgeous. I don't have images here to post, but will tomorrow.

Meg treated us to a very lovely lunch. What a wonderful lady. Her girls were a lot of fun too. Just great to see the originals of the patterns that I know I have waiting back at the shop (plus a few newies too). Those of you doing Over the River Block of the Month with me will be very familiar with Meg's work.

A wonderful visit. After much exchanging of gifts, hugging and waving we were off west, then south, then west, then south, then EAST, then south. Thank goodness for GPS.

After crossing the Columbia River we opted not to stop at one of the ten or so food outlets - Kevin thought he'd like to get another 40 or 50 miles behind us. Well, them map (Mr Rand McNallys' $5.99 maps of USA book) shows that the town that we should be in by then is Kent. DO NOT blink, or you will miss Kent.

Okay, next dot on map in Shaniko. It's the same sized dot as Kent, so we weren't too hopeful, but things were getting desperate. We drove around a bend in the road and there is was. A real 'living' ghost town. This place is weird. All except two buildings are closed and for sale. After we had driven right around the twelve-building block we found the Cowgirls & Cowboys 'rooms'. In we went. On stall was the cleaning cupboard, the other two had toilet bowls in them, but only one had water. when you sat on the toilet your feet poked out under the door. On the wall was a graffiti board. "If you must write on the bathroom, please do it here". Great idea, because there was no graffiti on the walls.

The 'general store' was open. The sign out front says they sell 'eggs, milk, African baskets and unique gifts'. This was operated by a guy out of a really old cowboy movie and most of his stock was the leftover props. Barney, you might see him as an extra in one of your Bonanza DVDs. There were cane embroidery hoops for 25c, bags of old costume jewellery for $5 and more 'other' junk than your poke the proverbial stick at. But, the drinks and the ice creams were cold.

The Quilters all ended up in jail while we were there!! Loitering with intent I think. Too bad really. Anyway,bailed them all and on to Bend Or.

Shilo Inn is our home until Monday morning, so a good opportunity to unpack etc.

Don't know if I will be able to load photos tonight, but if they don't appear look again tomorrow.

We are having Fun. Today we haven't lost anyone, or their suitcases. Must be doing something right.