Day Eight - On the Road with Dominique

After bidding Lloyd and the mountainside of Kamiah a fond au revoir, we continued west on US 12 to the Nez Perce Historical Park.

Nez Perce NHP

Actually, the park contains several sites throughout the Nez Perce reservation. If so inclined, you can stop at several or all of them. There is also a back-country gravel road that follows their Trail of Tears when they lost their last battle.
As you travel through the Nez Perce reservation, you might wonder (as did I) why there are so many European (read white) settlements and homes here. I asked several people who did not have an answer. On line, I learned that the government opened up this reservation for settlement just as they had Oklahoma. One Anglo proudly told me that at least one town is at least 50% Nez Perce today. The main benefit that I can see to this Anglo population is the commerce and industry readily available for employment. Perhaps that is actually because this is truly an Eden and not as harsh as the badlands of the Dakotas. That (and the minerals) is probably also why the government opened this land for settlement!

Green Country

I am not sure what happened, but I don't seem to find any photos of the drive from the Nez Perce park on Friday afternoon until Saturday morning!
I remember some beautiful scenery.
I remember stopping in Walla Walla, Washington for lunch at La cocina de la Abuela.
I remember traveling beside and crossing the Columbia River.
I remember marveling at the green hills of wheat and grass.
I remember seeing our first vineyards.
It is a good thing I remember it because I don't have any pictures of it.
You will also have to drive this route if you want to see what it looks like!

By 6 PM, we found our way to the R and R Guest House in The Dalles, Oregon. While we were staying in Stevensville, Steve located this spot on the internet while I was pondering where to spend Friday night. It was a good find!
When I drove through the neighborhood following Google directions, I was getting rather disappointed. The house is in the middle of blocks of 1950s bungalows and turn-of-the-century mine housing. Although neat, it didn't seem like B and B territory. Once you enter the Guest House and meet Kevin and Julie the hosts, you will be delighted you chose this place. Even Dominique thought it might be worth the money spent. (Actually, I asked for a $125 rate and thought we had an excellent deal. However, the neighborhood would probably make it really worth less,)
Dominique even took a walking video because of the fine details and amenities provided by the hosts. Even I, who loves to locate nice inns and spend the lodging bucks, was pleased with how freely the wine flowed, the nice pool and hot tub, and the comfortable rooms. The bathroom setup is a big strange, however. I had to take my morning shower off the kitchen while the hosts prepared breakfast.