The view out of my "office" window - Snoqualmie Pass in western Washington state, late in the afternoon, just as the rain stopped and the sun started to peek through the clouds. I love this part of the country!
I've been listening to an album I recently downloaded from iTunes: Eliane Elias plays Jobim.
While in Maryland, Ed and I have been hunting for alternative places to park our truck while we wait on our loads. Anything that isn't a Target parking lot, a truck stop in crackville or a barren expanse of cracked asphalt located next to swamp weeds and an airport, rendering our internet useless will do.
We had Delmonico steaks, smashed potatoes with the butter I bought at the farmer's market, corn niblets and a side salad. Real food, served on real plates, with real silverware. Delightful. 
While I finished up the dishes, Ed took out the trash. That's about as domestic as it gets out here on the road. It's my turn to drive now, which I will do as I listen to my audio book and watch the sun set.
Yesterday, we were stuck in traffic for about an hour before even getting to the real traffic jam. It took that long to travel the length of this on-ramp, and thirty minutes from where I was sitting in this photo to that underpass.
On the recommendation of the owner, we started with El Nido, a dish of black beans mixed with chorizo and served with chips. It was delicious. After that, we both had the Paquet Eduques, a combination plate. On it were two enchiladas, one quesadilla, one flauta, one sope and one taco.
The taco (shown below), made with Campechanos (chorizo and beef) and topped with cilantro, diced raw onions and lime, was my favorite. Behing the taco, you can see the edges of the Sope, which is a thick tortilla that's hand made, pinched on the rim to hold the filling of your choice (I got Carne de res - shredded beef), garnished with lettuce, crema and queso fresco. That was pretty good too - I love the fat little tortilla. 
The flautas were nice and crispy, I got mine filled with chicken (but I should have ordered beef!) and they were also served with lettuce, crema and queso fresco and the Quesadilla (shown below) was a little different than what I was used to. Rather than two tortillas grilled with filling between, this was hand made from fresh corn dough, pressed into a pocket, sort of like an empanada (or and Italian calzone) that was stuffed with the filling of your choice (cheese, beans, mushrooms, roasted poblano peppers, potatoes, chicken, beef, chorizo, etc.). I had one cheese and one chicken. Topped again wtih lettuce, queso and crema fresca. I kind of liked the tortilla like this...the dough was good and I liked the crispiness of it. 
The only thing we didn't try (and I think I might regret) is the Pambazo: a traditional Mexican sandwich, found on food carts throughout Mexico City and other regions of Mexico. It's made using a fresh roll, brushed with guajillo sauce (spicy red sauce), pan seared and stuffed with chorizo (sausage) and papa (potatoe), garnished with lettuce, crema fresca and queso fresco. It looked delicious from the picture on the wall.
Above, a photo collage of my father with me and my brother (click to make bigger). Below, quotes about fathers. Happy Father's Day to you all!!
Yesterday while driving around the area, Ed and I came across Richardson Farms, an absolutely beautiful farm market that sells the most gorgeous produce I think I've ever laid eyes on. A fifth generation family farm, they have 300 acres that provide the bounty they sell. And if they don't grow it, they have friends that do.
There was also a dessert section, where I bought THE MOST AMAZING cheesecake I've ever eaten. It was so creamy, light, and fluffy, it must have been made by folding angel tears into whatever creamy base they used and then mixing it while kittens purred in the background.
I told you I was loving the effects of Instagram. Here's another style I really like. I don't remember where we were when I took it, but Ed was driving. The finished product reminds me of a road trip you'd take as a kid, in the kind of station wagon that had wood paneling on the sides. Good times.
Last night we stayed at the nearby Hilton that seems to be becoming "our hotel". So much so, that we're part of the Hilton Honors program to get points for our stays. We were getting a new radiator put in the truck and the guys didn't finish in time, so we had to sleep here for the night. Yeah, I know; it sucks.
The route we've been running for the last few weeks, takes us right by Elmer's Fountain in Mullan, Idaho. I passed it many, many times before I saw it. And then when I did finally see it, I couldn't figure out how to get to it. Until I did.
The fountain is made of old mining parts and from what I've read, flows all year round, even in the dead of winter. In this photo, you can see the second fountain in the background. It's so quiet and peaceful, even though it's feet from the interstate. 
If you're planning on stopping by, know that it's on the south side of the interstate and only accessible if you're going eastbound. Get off at Exit 66, which is the Gold Creek exit. There is no place to park a semi-truck, but there's never anyone around, and you can probably stop quickly to take a picture.
It's unfortunate that some people have to hide who they really are, while protecting the rights of others being who they want to be.
A few days ago I was on the phone with my mother, passing the time as I was driving. She, while on the phone with me, was passing time as she was doing chores around the house.
Me and my Eddie after dinner at the T/A in North Bend, Washington. I stole the flower from the bush outside the restaurant; we look like we're in Hawaii instead of a truck stop in the Pacific Northwest!
Ed's first visit to IKEA. Clearly, he understands the concept of relaxing.
Mowed field in Ritzville, Washington.
Today, while checking out the nearby Bar Harbor RV Park where we are considering staying while in the area, we came across these beautiful ducks. 
As you can see in the photo, from the bottom up - in a brand I don't buy, but one which had all the sizes of pasta I wanted to illustrate - is Spaghetti, Thin Spaghetti, Vermicelli, Capellini and then Angel Hair; which really is thin as hair, a strand size I don't like.
It's June. Graduation season. Many people are celebrating their children leaving one institution, knowing that in just a few short months, they'll be entering another; hopefully, it's college and not jail. Watching your child go from high school to college is pretty normal.
Florist in Chinatown. New York City.
Isn't Ed the best?? He will do almost anything for me. And he always does it with a smile!
While in that area, we also stopped at ARI in Shipshewana to get our air-conditioning unit fixed. Can't go into the summer with no air. I'd be an evil bee-otch were that to happen.
As usual, I love my time spent in Shipshewana, even if it's only a day. Can't wait to get back!
Water For Elephants
The English American
A Rule Against Murder
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Inside The Kingdom: My Life In Saudi Arabia
The Blood of Flowers