Adventure 407: Wildhorse Casino and Resort, Pendleton, Oregon

Good Bye Stoneybrook.

The goodbyes took on a bittersweet tone with heart tugging hugs, a few wistful smiles, and an over load of soon to be favorite memories. We left the Hooleys about 9 A.M. under sunny smiles. Our hearts were warm, our spirits bright, and buoyed by our time on the farm we floated North toward Boise. We arrived at Tim and Carissa Ulmens, lunch in hand, around noon. Tim and Celia were peering out the windows like expectant applicants. Daughter Celia was intertwined into Dad Tim like a chokecherry bush melding with a willow. Nonetheless, young Celia warmed to Judy right away and left her Dad's arms willingly. her dark eyes flickered, echoed by her smile, and soon she had made a new (And fast) friend. We can hardly believe she's nine months already. The last time we saw her, she was busy kicking her way into presence inside her mother's womb. We didn't get to see mom this time, since she was coming off several night shift days. Carissa, a hard working Doctor, works the insanely difficult rotations so many in her profession work: It seems like sixty hours on, a little bit off, followed by sixty more hours. At any rate, she was sleeping. We left Boise a little before two and arrived around four at Wildhorse Casino. It's a little over two hundred miles which followed the hundred and some we drove in the morning. Thankfully, our crossing of the often treacherous Deadman's Pass proved uneventful, and dare I say it, somewhat pleasant. Traffic was light, the road was  dry, and the sun glittered off the remaining snow like a magic spell. We peered over the precipice of the long steep descent and saw an emerald valley. I merely downshifted, wiggled myself into a comfortable position, and "let 'er rip" as Loey Hooley's Dad was reported to have said. And like I often say, "It's the cheap thrills that keep a guy going. Our good friends, the Ulmen's (Grandparents of Celia [And Gus], joined us at Wildhorse around six. We haven't seen them since they sent us off for the winter. We enjoyed a nice dinner, caught up a bit, complained about our President, and planned a morning tandem ride. It was a perfect night for revolutionaries, and proved once again that life is good, especially today.

 Celia (Pronounced Sale-ya) with her Dad.

 Celia warming up to Judy.

 Celia's brother  (Kai) and sister (Bella), a couple of very protective pitbulls.

 Descending Deadman's Pass.

 And then the sun came from behind the clouds to spread the emerald valley before us.

 Fric and Frac nestled happily in site # 35.

 Dave and Liz Ulmen, our best good buddies,  who lay claim to young Celia (And Gus).

To finish dinner sharing a piece of chocolate decadence seemed only fitting.