BRIDGE OVER CLEARWATER RIVER INTO OROFINO

I just got back from a two-day work trip down to the great Orofino, Idaho! Yes, the beloved town were I was raised until the 4th grade. Since living here in WA, it is my 3rd trip to Orofino, but I always get excited to visit and reminisce about childhood days and memories.

We stayed in a very nice Best Western hotel right along the Clearwater River (the picture above was taken from my room balcony). We had a great dinner at a restaurant called the River's Edge. I had salmon chowder and an almond chicken salad for dinner and they both were fantastic, probably one of the best soup and salads I've ever eaten!

After dinner, I took a walk along the river on the edge of the city park. As I was walking, I had a rush of memories overcome me. We went to the park so many times as children to play on the equipment - there was a huge slide and swings, and a half dome monkey bar set (which is the only thing that still remains). And the Fair, oh, do you guys remember the Fair and Lumberjack days? I remembered walking through the 4H buildings looking at animals and foods and crafts. I remembered the carnival rides at night and hearing the big kids screaming as they rode the scary rides, like the Zipper. I remembered the coin toss out in the big field, where a man would toss money into the air and you would run and find it in the grass (a quarter was the ultimate find!). I remembered being in the parade down Michigan Avenue with Smoky the Bear (yeah for our Dad). I remembered going to the bank to get a Dum Dum sucker, the post office, the tiny little library, the Rex theatre to see my first movies, the fabric store where we loved to hide between the rolls of fabric, and the drug store to buy stickers and candy. So many wonderful and fun memories! Each time I visit, it seems like I discover something new or notice something different. Hopefully, I'll be able to go again next year.