Thirteen years ago! I can hardly believe that our second trip to Montana was that much time ago. I wish time wouldn’t go by so incredibly fast. But anyway….here we are, on the final leg of of journey, makai to home.

We’d just passed the exit for Pendleton, and were heading directly makai on Interstate 84. The sky was an interesting mix of dark clouds, light clouds, and blue skies.

We’ve passed this huge grove of trees so many times in our travels. I think they’re used to make paper, but don’t quote me on that.

The sky was so pretty up ahead!

We stopped at the rest stop in Boardman, where we’d also stopped on our way mauka.

Of course, this time we were on the opposite side of the freeway, right next to the Columbia River. I’m always so grateful for rest areas… not only because I usually have to go shi shi, but also because it gives me a chance to walk around and get the kinks out.

Back on the road again, with a beautiful sky ahead of us. Musubi loved being up in his special spot next to Try Look, our GPS da kine…so named by my dear friend, Ed, who said I should name it that because “Eh Mokihana, try look wea u stay going, u lolo!”

It was fun traveling alongside the Columbia River, which would accompany us almost all the way home.

The sunlight on the river was so beautiful! Nolemana had to wait till the sun was behind a cloud to take the photo.

Then! What a fabulous surprise we got!! A sun dog!!! I’d never even seen one before.

I was driving, and had to keep my eyes on the road, but could glance up to see it. I asked Nolemana to take a lot of photos, which he did.

This really was an awesome way to end our amazing trip. I was sorry when it went away.

The sun went behind a cloud, and that was the last we saw of the sun dog.

The sky was still beautiful; it was getting dark really fast.

Looking across to the Washington side of the Columbia River.

The sky cleared up a bit as we drove along.

Do you see what I see?? Train!! Right now, we’re 14 miles from the highway to John Day, 24 miles to the Biggs junction, and 127 miles from Portland.

It was hard for Nolemana to get a good train photo with the sun right in our eyes.

Train photo through the rear mirror. Ha!

I thought that was a small barge out on the river…

…and now I was pretty sure.

The last of the sunlight made lovely shadows on the Washington hills.

This is definitely a barge! I always wonder what it’d be like driving one up and down the river.

Which means that we’re right here at the red arrow.

Just about this time, we were able to see Mt. Hood for the very first time in a long time, and we now felt like we were almost home.

We’re getting closer to home.

There’s the bridge from The Dalles heading over to Washington.

We could really see “our” mountain now.

After this, it got dark really quickly, so we couldn’t take any photos. Here’s the last one that we took, showing our total mileage for our amazing Montana road trip.

What a crazy, wonderful, road trip this had been! Seeing family, beautiful scenery, and going to places we’d never been to before was the highlight of our entire year. It’s always so wonderful to revisit our happy days. Thanks so much for traveling along with us!

It only took me 13 years to finish this blog entry. Sheesh!! And now it’s time to start out 2013 Montana road trip. I hope I’ll do much better with that one.