Something My Mom Said

Yesterday, while baking with my mom, she said that the Baker City trip and the Coast trip with her kids was the best time she has had in years.  I posted about both of these trips.  But this got me thinking.............

My mom is not elderly, Oh she might be of that age, but anyone that knows her, knows she can keep up with the best of us.  Bailey and Kara can attest to this.  She still gets more done in her day than I do.  She knows more about pop culture, than I do, and although she is slowing down (for her) I just don't think of her as elderly.  I still have so much to learn from her.

So often, I hear of older people being lonely and forgotten.  I am sure not all of them are like my mom, but I would bet they are still worthy of a visit, a card, a phone call.  It is amazing how the depression era people have so much to teach us baby boomers.  Especially in this economy where being frugal is a forgotten art.

I thank God every day that I still have my mom.  I hope she lives as long as her grandma, who lived to be 100.  I don't tell her enough how much she means to me, but now she reads my blog.  So Mom, I love you and we'll be going to the casino in the RV real soon:)

Baker City Historical Museum and The Rest

On Saturday, we started our day at the Baker City Historical Museum.

Kris showing off the beautiful Chinese garments.

Mom looking at this old car.  Not sure the make or year but I bet Mom remembers.

LL just told me, 1927 Whippit.

Mom telling LL her memories of this type of soap cauldron 

After leaving Baker City, we went to Sumpter and rode the only steam engine train in Oregon.

On our way through this canyon, we stopped to stretch our legs.  I still do not know what LL was doing here, but it made me laugh.

And here is another mystery.  What was Kris doing here?  I think she and LL went to the same clown school.

Bud, Mertie, and Gus.  LL did all the driving and setup and breakdown of RV hookups.  Steve was the copilot and did most of the cooking on the trip.  The steaks were delicious.

Our last night, we camped outside of Prineville.  It was a wonderful trip.  Lots of relaxing, lots of eating, lots of wine, lots of laughs.  I think Mom had a good time but was very tired when we got home Monday afternoon.  For 80 yrs old, she did great keeping up with us and making memories.

Baker City Oregon Trail Interpretive Museum

This is a trip that a lot could go wrong.  The weather, RV breakdown, sickness, etc.  None of that happened.  Mom's birthday trip to Eastern Oregon turned out great.  We got on the road Thursday afternoon around 3:30.  Stopped in Biggs for fuel and made sandwiches.  Arrived at Wild Horse Casino, just outside of Pendleton around 9:00pm.  We piled out and Mom was at a machine in no time.  She is the only one that had any luck but it was fun all the same.  We stayed in the RV at the casino parking lot, got up and had a nice breakfast there.  Got on the road around 11:00 and arrived at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Museum around 1:00.

Mom and Steve

Mom and I outside the Museum.  The scenery was gorgeous and so was the weather

Mom and Kris before we went into the museum

The museum was interesting, but I really like museums with more actual artifacts but knew that the museum we were going to the next day would have the actual items used.

LL and I standing right on the Oregon Trail.  For some reason this was exciting for me.  I just love being surrounded by history.

Our RV park was great.  It had its own general store.  A pool, and hot tub.  We did use the hot tub and would definitely stay here again.

Of course we had to get a picture of Gertie and Bertie with our I love Lucy wine glasses and we gave Mom her own RV wine glass for her birthday.  She also needed an RV name.  So.............Meet Mertie.