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"IN MEMORY OF MARY LOGSDON" - IN NOTE SECTION OF CHECK

AUGUST 4, 2006 - CAREFREE HIGHWAY, LET ME SLIP AWAY

I left the area north of Spokane at a fairly respectable time today. I was only ½ hour later than my normal time of 9:00 AM. The temperature as just right and things were loaded with some ease.

As I got closer to Spokane, I noticed that the hilly terrain, even the undulating "flat" hills of yesterday, ere giving way to higher mountains. As I made the left turn toward Idaho and Montana, the mountains became more "rough" and ragged. Someone had worked on them with a giant rake, making the sides look like they ere sore. I guess I must explain at this point why I am headed south and east, instead of ever north and east. I am taking a small detour before I trek to the north border and head east. Years ago, Mary and I had promised our good friends Mel and Donna that we would visit. I am making good that promise. I am glad I did. The area is beautiful.

As I put on each of the 600 miles that I drove today, I marveled at how varied the landscape became. I was in farm land that looked like my home area in Ohio. I was in high country mountains and in low lying hills. The temperature fluctuated between the high 70's and the high 50's. I traveled into Western Montana to head south on I - 15. Montana greeted its visitors with high winds that generated dust storms making visibility a bit myopic. It was also easy to smell the brushfires that were somewhere in the area. I saw one small area that had been burned, but I did not see any of the big fires.

The GPS got me very close to Mel's house when I arrived, but I had to call to get to the final destination. Tonight, I am one hour closer. The time difference is only two hours, not three. When I leave, I will be going straight up 15 and head for the roads farthest north to come back on.

I think I will just rest for a couple of days, though.