I’ve decided to really pay more attention to the motels we’re staying in because I think it will be a neat idea later on to chronicle the places we stay over our six month journey in one massive post. Eclectic, diverse, elegant, unusual and often quirky in interior decor design choices I’m enjoying the wide variety of standards we’re staying in. We enjoy the luxurious comfort of some of the more expensive but by the same token – so long as the beds past muster when it comes to our mandatory bed bug check – we’re just as happy in a no tell motel low budget place. For six months this will be our predominant types of accommodations. It’s kind of fun to think we’re roadtripping across the States in much the same way Sam and Dean Winchester do, minus the cool American muscle car but thankfully also minus the save the world pressures.

Our overnight stay in Lake Tahoe after we drove from Yosemite was here at the classy Budget Inn. It was clean and the wifi turned out to be little sketchy but it did us after a long drive and was one of the cheapest on that stretch of road.

We stayed here on Highway 97 just outside of a little town called Chiloquin after driving through from Lake Tahoe. The Rapids Motel was comfy but did seem a little isolated which led me to not getting quite as much sleep due to my overactive imagination helpfully recalling all the horror movies/shows I’d seen in my life involving lone travellers (or couples) being the targets of some disgruntled and disturbed psychopath who seems to come up with new and unusual ways of disemboweling people in their sleep. I love my brain.

We were up early this morning so as to get in the best view of the famous Crater Lake National park before we drove onto Portland. Once again the standard of the National Parks in this country is ASTOUNDING. Could not believe the majestically serene vista that awaited us. We were hard pressed not to stop at every outlook post we saw – there are heaps of them – and just gaze endlessly at the perfect glass surface of the lake. Conveniently the boats started going on the lake just as we left – which worked for us as we both agreed no one should be allowed to put a ripple in that vista.

The view heading on up onto Rim drive a 33 mile road right around the edge of the lake.

Had a great meal out with friends I’ve made via my love for Supernatural (see Tim good things do come from being overly dedicated to a particular TV show :P) and got to try out a Portland local legend eating place by the name of Jake’s Famous Crawfish restaurant. The food here was excellent, top notch, our waiter very convivial and informative and confirmed that yes indeed the cast of both the TV shows Leverage and Grimm frequent the place of a regular basis.

I had the Dungeness Crab legs saute and they were delicious. Best crabmeat I’ve ever tasted and Tim had the Pacific Salmon. All good things – plus the bacon wrapped stuffed shrimp appetisers? So damn good I could have happily finished a plate full of the things, good thing they only served them as an appetiser 😉

In conclusion we are staying here tonight:

The shower head is perfect. And the TV reception is good so we are busy watching the Olympics. Wish NBC would be a little less biased in their coverage though – or else most Americans are going to wonder who all those other were that marched into the main arena in the Opening Ceremony!

Tomorrow I’m checking out the world famous Powell’s Bookstore. 68,000 square feet of shelf space! Seventh heaven for a book fanatic such as me. Hmmm, hope the Post Office is not too far away.