The alarm went off at 9ish, but we didn't get out of bed until about 9:30. We got dressed and packed up our stuff, making sure to check around the bed and the bathroom to ensure we didn't forget anything. We crammed it into the Edge and went back one more time to double check we didn't leave anything behind. This hotel didn't serve breakfast so, Ben went and checked us out at the front office.
We drove the short distance to the Walmart for some yogurt, bagels and fruit but this Walmart was so old and is in the middle of remodeling, they didn't have any fresh fruit for their customers. I was disappointed because now we had to stop at the Safeway in the opposite direction. Oh well. We stopped at the Safeway and grabbed some apples, bananas and a couple spoons for our yogurt. We ate as we drove east towards The Dalles.
We got onto I-84 and drove the quick 20 miles. We followed Ben's GPS to the 18-hole disc golf course at Sorosis Park, which was up the hill (it had great reviews), so that is the one the Ben picked for this area to try. It shared an area with Columbia Gorge Community College.
We got to the parking area just before 11. It was already starting to get hot. Ben and I both put-on sunscreen before we began. We spent some time warming up our arms - stretching our arms and throwing some putts. There were a few people in the parking lot getting ready for singles but, they weren't going to start until noon...by that time, we would be almost done.
Both Ben and I had some great throws but also, we had some struggles at a couple of the holes. We both hit par several times, Ben hit under par and we both hit over par a few times. There was a hole were Mount Hood was a perfect back drop. We had some shade but most of the course was out in the open. By noon, the temperature was 97 degrees - hot and sweaty weather. We finished the course just before 1 p.m. Ben was +5 and I was +8, which isn't too bad considering we really don't keep score when we play.
We used the restroom at the park before we left. I took some time to enjoy the flowers and the views of the city, Mount Adams and the Columbia River down below.
I walked back towards the car and met back up with Ben. We put our stuff in the back, I changed my shoes and we went back down the hill to grab one of the famous geocaches in the area, Sgt. Bill's Travel Bug Hotel (GCM8MP). It had a ton of favorite points.
It was in a neighborhood and fastened on the outside of a person's fence inside the mailbox. We were hoping the person didn't come outside and talk to us. I just wanted to grab and go. We parked right in front of the gate and saw the cache immediately. Ben and I got out and got it unlocked, grabbed the logbook and found some travel bugs to discover and trade out. I got a few pictures and locked it back up for the next geocacher(s).
I asked Ben if we should eat before we leave town and he said yes. We drove around but didn't find anything worthwhile, plus we had to find something that had some gluten free options as well. Sometimes that is hard to find when you are traveling. We settled on a place called Cousin's and wondered if it was related to the places in Centralia and Pasco.
We found a place to park and wow, when you got out of the car, it was like being in an oven. It was well over 100 degrees at this point. The asphalt made it worse.
We went inside and had to wait less than 10 minutes to be seated. We looked at the menus, and both decided that the huckleberry lemonades looked awesome. We both ordered the sandwich, of course Ben's was gluten free, I got a salad and he got the fries. While we waited, we talked about how awesome the year before was and reminisced about it. We also posted about our first anniversary to our friends and family.
I wrote:
"Here we are, one whole year, from of the greatest days I've ever had. I was thankful to be surrounded by our family and closest friends, while Ben and I started a new chapter of our lives together.
Life is not the same as it was a year ago - if it was, there would be no growth. We are further along in our quest into being property owners, I was promoted at work, Ben is now a Lead in his job, our health is getting back to normal, and we are slowly getting back into having more time for our hobbies and adventures. We were able to visit Europe for the first time - a destination I've had on my bucket list for decades. Now that we have, we want to go explore new countries and have new experiences.
Ben, you have been my best friend since I met you back in late October 2013. I loved that we share the same hobbies and pretty much have the same outlook on a lot of topics. It's been a huge adventure all these years getting to where we were, to where we are now. I am excited to see where it goes. There will be ups and there will be downs but we will figure it out, together. Love you, always."
He wrote:
"Happy one year anniversary to my amazing wife, Val! Our journey to now has been an adventure and I would haven it another way. Here is a toast to many more adventures and memories made along the way. I love you with all my heard and thank you for saying, "I do"."
We ate our food. I was a lot hungrier than I thought I was. It hit the spot for the drive back home. Our waiter came back around and asked if we wanted refills. I told him the drink was so good that I wanted a refill, but we were going to leave soon. He told us that there wasn't any problem and went and got us our refills in to go cups. We thought that was very kind of him to do that. He got a great tip from us.
We walked back to the car, and I checked my GasBuddy app, and the cheapest gas was at the Fred Meyer nearby for $3.79. We filled up, drove across the Columbia River and onto Hwy 14. The drive home was uneventful for the most part. I told Ben stories along the way of my past adventures on Hwy 14 over the years. Most of them being geocaching ones. We merged onto Hwy 205 through Vancouver and eventually onto I-5 north. We saw that the new In-N-Out was super busy. I'd like to go but it is so new I thought I would wait a little bit longer before eating there.
We have been in the car for a while up to this point, we thought it would be smart to stop at the Gee Creek Rest Area to use the restroom and to stretch, plus there were two geocaches we didn't have. We grabbed NB Gee Creek Rest Area - South (GCAMMY2) and NB Gee Creek Rest Area - North (GCAMMYF), both were easy finds.
We got back onto I-5 north and made it home around 6:45. We unloaded Ben's car and then I hopped into the Escape to grab a couple things from the store since we were gone most of the weekend.
We got in a shower, ran a load of laundry, relaxed and ate the slice of our wedding cake that has been sitting in the freezer for a year. I was surprised it lasted a year in the freezer. It actually tasted like cake! We also took a shot of our special occasion whiskey and then got ready for the busy work week.
Happy 1st Anniversary Ben!
Next Adventure: WSGA SW Chapter Campout in Menlo, Wash.
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