Sometimes you win & sometimes.......

So the Idaho State School Bus Safety Competition was held in Napa Idaho on June 19Th. The best of the best was from Rathdrum Idaho - pictured above - Back row -Ginger, who came in second - Roger, who took first. Front row is Sue and Ruthie. Ruthie and I placed on the other end of scale. :) But now that you know the results - I'll tell you about the trip.

Due to education cut backs we had to take the trip on a school bus. Six of us went down, the four of us competing and our boss, Darrell and his assistant Susie. Four women and 2 men. We left Rathdrum and 5:30 am and took the scenic way down - no hurry - we have all day - and we took all day. We ended up taking a grand tour of every rest stop in Idaho. A most interesting subject to explore. I must say that every rest stop is a little different and vary from clean to quite gross. We stopped in Riggins at the rest stop there and it was next to the river. I went to take a picture of the rapids and found Mr. Snake here. I took his picture and left.

I found a better place on the banks of the river - without snakes - and took this picture.

After 11 hours on the road we finally got to Napa. We found our motel with only a little difficulty and checked in. I took this picture - just cause - and then we got back in the bus to go find the school we had to go to in the morning. Then the best part of the trip - dinner at Sizzler. I asked the desk clerk for directions and after a few wrong turns we had a most delectable meal. I love Sizzler :) Back to our rooms to study , shower and sleep. Or at least try to sleep.

We where told that we would have an oral pre-trip test along with a written general knowledge test. There was allot of stuff to memorize. Most of us got four or five hours sleep between study time or worry time. We where up at 6 - in the bus at 7 - at the school for registration by 7:30. Turns out we didn't get an oral exam - both tests where written. Not a very easy test either - there where a few question that I thought non of the answers where correct. Oh , well. Next was the driving - we where to drive C2 buses, that where 40 feet long. Not a bus I am familiar with and one that I let intimidate me. The rest is history - I was really mad at myself for awhile but that was silly so now it is just one more lesson learned.

I knew Roger was going to win - he really had things down - and we all hoped he would win over all - meaning - highest score of all the divisions. And he did!!!! There is a traveling trophy - one that has only been up to our district twice before - and now it is coming again.

One very impressive trophy. Good thing we drove a bus down because we needed a big vehicle to transport it home.

We left Napa for home at 1 pm. We continued our tour of every rest area in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. The other state rest areas are not any cleaner - in case you where wondering. We drove the last two hours in a very impressive electrical storm. I love watching lighting. Arriving in Rathdrum 10 hours later - I got into my car and went home. I took a shower - and spent the next eight hours - sleeping.

So next year when this Road-e-o thing comes up - remind me that I have already seen every rest area in Idaho - OK?