{"id":16266,"date":"2024-02-23T02:53:05","date_gmt":"2024-02-23T07:53:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/?p=16266"},"modified":"2024-02-23T14:24:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-23T19:24:02","slug":"westward-ho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aleta.life\/index.php\/2024\/02\/23\/westward-ho\/","title":{"rendered":"Westward Ho!"},"content":{"rendered":"
Position: 47\u00b050’54.1″N 120\u00b046’40.8″W<\/a><\/h6>\n

We left Albuquerque and Carol\u2019s Dad Bob in the capable hands of her older brother, Chris. Our departure met with a little trepidation on all sides, but we were confident that Bob would train Chris quickly and by the time we reached Utah our concerns focused more on the icy highways ahead of us.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Our route to the Pacific Northwest stretched 1,200 miles diagonally across the country and took us through some of the best vistas the west has to offer. The last time we passed this way<\/a> we took a different route, and it was nice to keep the view fresh. As fresh as millions of acres of sagebrush and buttes can keep. Rather than beat our brains out and overdoing the driving, we stopped overnight twice, once in Moab and again in Boise. That gave us enough time for Bodhi to stretch his paws and for us to visit Bill, an old family friend living in Salt Lake City. It also meant the dullest part of the drive, from Twin Falls to Boise, was taken in the dark. A word of caution for visitors, Idaho rolls up its streets early in the evening. If you want more than a packet of cheese puffs from a vending machine, don\u2019t pitch up after 7:00PM.<\/p>\n

Chew<\/h6>\n

Being February hotel rates were half off. Even then further discounts or upgrades weren\u2019t hard to find. With petrol hovering around $2.50 per gallon, we thought we\u2019d stepped back 15 years in time. My travel advice, at the risk of repeating myself, go places in the off season whenever you can. Even if you\u2019re not a cheapskate you\u2019ll have a far better chance of meeting locals and swapping dog stories over your brew. Oh, and bring a handsome pup: such great ice breakers. At the Moab Brewery<\/a> (the friendliest doggo hangout in town), Bodhi charmed everyone. He was especially cute when he broke free and wandered off in search of floor food. Our neighbours helpfully said, \u201cOh, we were watching him chew on his lead for the past five minutes.\u201d Thanks, we thought, you might have said something earlier. A quick reef knot soon had our errant beast under control.<\/p>\n

In Boise we discovered hotel rates had increased significantly. On checking in the concierge asked if we knew about the $150 non-refundable pet deposit? We did not. And, we said, it seems a bit steep for one night\u2019s stay, don\u2019t you think? This particular hotel was more of a long-stay place. I guess if we stayed an entire month $150 wouldn\u2019t seem so usurious. But at that price Bodhi should have had his own room and a masseuse. The very nice lady took pity on us, and made the surcharge disappear.<\/p>\n

Imprimatura<\/h6>\n

By 10:00AM the following morning we had crossed the border into Oregon. The instant we did gas prices jumped by a dollar a gallon and every intersection sported a marijuana dispensary. Not needing gas or weed, we made our way directly to the Inland Caf\u00e9<\/a> for a hugely yummy breakfast, half of which we shared the next morning. Snow dusted the hilltops as we dropped into the Columbia River Gorge two hours later. The snow\u2019s imprimatura<\/a> made stark the mountain\u2019s bare, burnt tree trunks. The full extent of 2017\u2019s Eagle Creek Fires<\/a> came into sharp relief when we crossed over to the north side of the river. Low clouds and mist clung to the river\u2019s contours. That and my faith in the regenerative power of Mother Nature turned the charred, funereal landscape into something quite beautiful.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>As quick as we could, we took Bodhi to meet Marlon and Spencer at Tai and Ava\u2019s pad. When Carol complained that Marlon wasn\u2019t his usual affectionate self, Tai pointed out that she had walked in with another dog and perhaps he didn\u2019t want to share his fish toy with yet another competitor for her attention. Carol conceded the point. Marlon then surprised everyone by being completely chill with Bodhi. Spencer \u2013 aka. The Dude<\/a> \u2013 is always chill and the three of them formed a nascent bond. Even in Vancouver, Nessa \u2013 aka. Cujo<\/a> \u2013 finally backed off when Bodhi proved just as chill with them. Nessa<\/a>\u2019s brother Woody \u2013 aka. The Gladiator<\/a> \u2013 took an immediate liking to his furry house guest and attempted to roger<\/a> Bodhi as often as he could. Woody\u2019s tenacity was exhausting for everyone.<\/p>\n

Motive<\/h6>\n

In truth we had an ulterior motive for this trip. Carol wanted to introduce Bodhi to as many people as possible in the hope someone would volunteer to keep him for the summer while we move Aleta from Sweden to the Canary Islands. And we made some progress. At Carol\u2019s book group retreat in Lake Wenatchee everyone took a shine to the pup. Like a kid with newly divorced parents, there\u2019s a good chance Bodhi will be shuttled between different houses over the summer and come out all the stronger for his experiences. Fingers crossed!<\/p>\n

Photos<\/h6>\n
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