Well, Baker City proved perfect. H-I-S-T-O-R-Y....museums...antique shops....and yes, a vintage B&B! And.....it's close! Perfect!! Not sure why we didn't think of it before.
We spent Friday evening exploring our B&B and the historical district of town. There are some amazing old homes there. If only to live there in Bakers hay day.......I wonder what it was like? Victorian gardens, porches with rocking chairs, cottonwood trees, fiddles, prairie dresses......and I guess an occasional shootout and dialogue with the undertaker...lol. So, I am quite sure it wasn't all roses...there was no indoor plumbing....or modern medicine....Walmart.....or Internet.....and if you had to call someone, you were at the mercy of the "party line"...ugh..the grape vine......I grew up with that and don't recommend it. But Baker's "yesterday" has left behind a "Ora" of simpler times....hard work....satisfaction....and maybe a little romance.
Our Saturday was spent eating a yummy three course breakfast at the B&B....I do recommend B&B's. We stayed in a 19th Century establishment...rich with history (complete with a book).....and a wonderful breakfast.....for the price of an inexpensive hotel. It was worth it......and so fun! We then decided to take the slow lane home through Richland and Halfway......and we stopped to smell the roses. Actually there were no roses but we did stop by the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. I have been there a few times but Tim hadn't. We walked around...took in the sites.....thoroughly enjoying our time.
Part of "the tour" through the Interpretive Center includes a 2.5 mile hike down to the actual trail and back. I have been to the center before but have never hiked down the trail. Yes, I was wearing flip-flops, but we decided to hike anyway.....what are blisters???? We hiked the trail and I am so glad. I can now say I have stood in the "ruts" of the Oregon Trail. You can't help but wonder at the families...the mothers, children and fathers....that followed the trail.....that walked....looking longingly forward past the spot on which I stood. What situations have those ruts been participant to?? Thousands crossed that spot. Smiles....fatigue...tears...wariness...hunger...pregnancy....toddlers...... Each of the participants had their reasons for crossing.....each felt varying degrees of discouragement as well as anticipation. They were in fact in Oregon at that point. Wow.......so much to think about.... Anyway, back to our "date".
After our time travel, I nursed my blisters and begin our homeward journey. Stopping at a little restaurant called, "Annie's" for lunch we then enjoyed the sites and conversation with each other heading home. A good time.....and it wasn't just dinner and a movie.
Standing in the "rut" of history was really more refreshing and fun....
Note to self: will do again next year.
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| The Oregon Trail....150 year old ruts |
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| More of the Trail |
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| Wonder how well those breaks really worked? |
My Mother-in-laws family were on the first wagon trail to settle in Baker City. There is lots of family tales from there.Also her great or great great uncle was the first white child born in Baker City. It was the second day after the wagon train had settled in Baker, so many stories....
ReplyDeleteMyra Folden
That's really interesting Myra....we did some research too while there....there are some fascinating things that have happened there. Thanks for sharing!! I want to go back and spend more time....we didn't do near enough exploring. It's a neat place.
ReplyDeleteSo proud of you for getting away together for your anniversary like this. I don't know if you remember or not, but Clete and I have gone away every year for 26 years, not far, just away, alone, no kids :) We have had many adventures and memories of those get aways. We alternate years and surprise each other. This year was Clete's year and he took me to a hotel spa in Hot Springs, SD -- I never dreamed he would go to a spa with me and it was our first full body massage -- awesome!! Keep going each year no matter what -- there were a few years we went camping - it is what we could afford -- Happy Anniversary and here's to many, many more!!
ReplyDeleteI love getting away with just Tim! It's so fun. We've actually gone camping just the two of us as well...I really enjoy that also. I can't believe you got Clete to a spa....that would be like dragging Tim to a spa...lol....well I guess if you did get him there, there's hope for us too...lol Good hearing from you Brenda!
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